MPP Granville Anderson, Durham

God has given you a sensitive and caring heart. You have a concern for all people and their well being. You have gifts of communication and connecting and people are very comfortable talking with you. Lord bless this man and his sacrificial service and strengthen him to practice these gifts. He has an entrepreneurial spirit and bless every endeavor he puts his hand to. Expand his horizons and prosper him and his family in new ways. May this be a time of reevaluating and moving forward. 

Durham MPP Granville Anderson is in his first term at the provincial legislature, but he has a long history of community involvement.

Mr. Anderson has lived in this community for more than 25 years. Prior to the 2014 election, he was the owner and principle mediator at Anderson Mediation and Conflict Management.

First elected to the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB) as trustee in 2003, MPP Anderson was later appointed chairman of the board. In his time as trustee, MPP Anderson played an integral role in ensuring the board worked within its financial means to meet students’ needs and support student success.

As well, MPP Anderson has volunteered his time in the community in a variety of other roles. He served as Vice-President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul; was, for several years, a coach in the Clarington Boys’ Baseball League; and is a member of Courtice Rotary.

Recently, MPP Anderson was named the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education. In this role MPP Anderson engages with partners on Ontario’s Well-Being Strategy for Education, works to improve support for children with special education needs, and works to close the achievement gap and improve graduation rates for underrepresented groups of students.   

Previously, MPP Anderson served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Child and Youth Services. In his role as Parliamentary Assistant, MPP Anderson worked toward the development of a provincial Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder strategy by engaging families and affected youth, listening to their challenges and helping gather solutions. His role also included participation in the five-year review of the Child and Family Services Act.

MPP Anderson was born in Jamaica and moved to Canada when he was 13. He has a diploma in Business Administration from Seneca College and a certificate in Mediation from the University of Windsor. He has two grown children whom he says inspire him to work harder every day in his role as MPP.

MPP Hon Laura Albanese, York South - Weston

Dear Lord we pray today for The Hon. Member Laura Albanese as she serves as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.  I pray Lord that You would lead, guide and direct her in all her ways and decisions. I pray for her health and strength as she serves in our government.  Father I pray that she would trust in You to help her.  You said Lord, if we need wisdom to ask You.  Lord, I pray that she would look to You. Bless her and give her everything she needs in this position and authority.  Bless her team and staff, that she surround herself with wise counsel and wisdom to make great decisions for the people in Toronto and Ontario. Keep her family, husband, children and grandchildren in your loving care.  We pray these things in Your Holy name, Lord Jesus.  Amen

Laura Albanese is the Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of York South-Weston i­n the northwestern part of Toronto.  Laura was first elected as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party in the Ontario General Election of October 2007 and re-elected in 2011 then again in 2014.

She currently serves as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, in addition to her role as an MPP.  Previous roles include: Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance; Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier; the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Labour; and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.  

In the previous 40th Parliament, Laura's duties included Deputy Government Whip and Chair of the Select Committee on Developmental Services. She was also a sitting member of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Standing Committee on Estimates and the Cabinet Committee on Jobs and the Economy. Laura has also served on several other Standing Committees including Chair of Justice Policy, Vice Chair of Finance and Economic Affairs, Public Accounts, Legislative Assembly and the Select Committee on the Proposed Transaction of the TNX Group and the London Stock Exchange Group. For 5 years, she was also Chair of the Toronto Caucus.

Representing a demographically and culturally diverse riding, Laura has championed policies that promote local jobs, community safety, increased services for seniors, protecting day care subsidies, and has been active in improving local health care. Working closely with the community, Laura helped to secure funding for infrastructure upgrades of local schools and has helped deliver a local stop for the UP Express (previously known as the Air Rail Link) in Weston. She has worked to support local community issues such as the community’s successful efforts for a committment from the government on the electrification of the UP Express.

Before embarking on her career in politics, Laura enjoyed a career in broadcast journalism spanning over two decades. Throughout this time, Albanese played a central role in Italian language programming, holding key responsibilities with OMNI TV in a number of capacities. Laura was best known as Co-Anchor of OMNI News: Italian Edition, a one hour daily Italian language newscast.

Laura was born in Taranto, Italy. In her youth, she moved back and forth between Canada and Italy and has been influenced by both cultures. She permanently moved to Canada in 1981 and has lived in York South-Weston ever since. She is married and is the proud mother of two adult children.

MPP Hon David Zimmer, Willowdale

Father God thank you for David Zimmer and his service to you in Willowdale. Give him your leading and direction on all the decisions he makes. Help him to hear from you supernaturally and be yielded to you for your plans to succeed. Protect him and his family and cause them to know you personally and deeply so that your Kingdom comes and you are given glory.  I pray for peace and blessing to come on David in Jesus name. Amen

David Zimmer was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 for the riding of Willowdale. He was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in February 2013. Before entering politics, he was chair of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation — Canada’s largest community housing provider and the second largest in North America.

David Zimmer has practised law for many years in Toronto and has served as a part-time Crown Attorney. For 10 years, he was an administrative law instructor in the Law Society’s Bar Admission Course. He has extensive experience before administrative boards and tribunals and in the civil and criminal courts. David has also served as assistant deputy chairperson at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Through his volunteer work, David has demonstrated his commitment to community and international affairs. He has served as a director of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs and president of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. In 1993, Zimmer was awarded a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation for his significant contribution in promoting research and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

MPP Jeff Yurek, Elgin-Middlesex-London

Lord, today we lift up Jeff Yurek.  Please guide him throughout his day to be an effective leader in all that he must accomplish, give him wisdom to tackle the decisions that are required in his position.  Bless he and his family, thank you Jesus, amen.

Jeff's commitment to serve his constituents and represent the interests of Elgin-Middlesex-London at Queen's Park is reflected in his day-to-day work.  Jeff has introduced a number of petitions to the legislature in an effort to highlight concerns of his constituents. 

In the fall of 2013, Jeff introduced Bill 135 also known as Ryan's Law in honour of a young student who passed away after suffering an asthma attack while at school. 

As co-owner of Yurek Pharmacy and the past president of the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce, Jeff knows the realities of small businesses face. Fighting to protect the backbone of Ontario's economy as been a big priority for Jeff.

When he's not at Queen's Park, Jeff continues to be involved in his community with his constituency.  He has hosted several citizen round tables and town halls to allow community members to have a say in policy development. 

Through public town halls and roundtables co-hosted with his colleagues, Jeff has engaged Ontarians on topics such as the Skilled Trades Sector, Wind Turbines, Provincial School Issue Education, Mental Health, the state of social services in Ontario, OHIP coverage, hunting and fishing regulations, and mandatory WSIB coverage for independent contractors.

A pharmacist and partner with his brother in St. Thomas, Jeff followed in his father’s footsteps and enrolled in the Pharmacy Program at the University of Toronto. Upon graduating in 1995 he joined the Yurek Pharmacy which was founded by his father in 1963. He and his siblings worked in the business after school and holidays from an early age stocking shelves and making deliveries. They built on their father's foundation and expanded the business into the home health care sector. 

Jeff remains a member of both the Knights of Columbus and Rotary Club and continues to support the Alzheimer’s Society as an advisor.

Coming from southwestern Ontario Jeff understands the importance of fall fairs, community events, and summer festivals. You can find him at community functions often with his wife Jenn and daughter Maggie.