MPP: Toby Barrett - Haldimand-Norfolk

Heavenly Father, today we pray for Toby Barrett from Haldimand-Norfolk riding. You see the role he plays in the present Ontario Legislature, and I ask that today you would give him special favor among his peers. I ask that you would cause him to know direction in thought and deed for all the areas of responsibility that he carries, as being guided by Your Hand. May this be a blessed day in his life, and may he understand that his place is because of Your favor in his life. Strengthen his hands this day I pray. Amen.

First elected to the Ontario Legislature in June 1995, Toby was re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011. Toby captured 61 per cent of the vote in both the 2007 and 2011 provincial elections.

Over the years, Toby has chaired a number of legislative committees and served in portfolios focussing on agriculture, environment, natural resources and social services.

Currently, Toby is the Official Opposition Critic to the Minister of Consumer Services. For seven years Toby was a member of the Finance Committee and is presently a member of the Public Accounts Committee. Barrett was the first Conservative to be elected Caucus Chair after the 2007 election.
Toby has a Masters of Science degree from the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and a degree in Economics from the University of Guelph.
A former teacher of high school Agriculture and Environmental Science, Toby is a partner in his family farm near Port Dover, and for 20 years worked for the Ontario Addiction Research Foundation.
                                                  
In 1993, Toby was awarded the Canada 125 medal for outstanding community service.
Toby is a life-long resident of Haldimand-Norfolk. He and his wife Cari live on the family farm and have three children – Shawn, Brett and Brittany. Before starting his career, Toby traveled in over 50 countries and has an abiding interest in antique cars, trucks and tractors.

http://www.tobybarrett.com/about.html

MPP: Lorenzo Berarddinetti - Scarborough Southwest

Father God, I come to you on behalf of Lorenzo Berardinetti from the riding of Scarborough Southwest. I ask for a keen awareness of the Hand of God upon his life today as he serves in the committees to which he has been assigned. I pray that in particular, he would know the righteous stands to take in helping to fulfill social justice in our Province, and that you would give him favor with all of his peers. I also ask that today he would know your touch in his personal life at the most stressing times, and realize that you are near. In the name of the Saviour! Amen.

For over 23 years, Lorenzo Berardinetti has served his community as an elected representative, standing up for the issues that matter most to working  in Scarborough Southwest. Born in Toronto, Lorenzo moved to Scarborough at the age of four. He attended Ionview Public School and Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute.

Lorenzo went on to attend the University of Toronto and the University of Windsor Law School and in 1988 was called to the Ontario Bar. Lorenzo’s call to public service came in his youth, demonstrated through his volunteerism and active participation in various community organizations throughout his student years.

After graduating from Law School, Lorenzo successfully ran for elected office in 1988 as City Councillor for the former Scarborough City Council and was re-elected in 1991 and 1994. In 1997, when the Mike Harris Conservative government forced the City of Scarborough to amalgamate into the City of Toronto, Lorenzo was elected to the new City of Toronto Council and was re-elected in 2000. Lorenzo made his mark at Toronto City Hall as Chair of the Administration Committee. He was responsible for stewarding the amalgamation of all seven municipalities into one. Lorenzo worked with a team of committed Councillors, dedicated to making the megacity work efficiently and effectively.

Having experienced first-hand the cuts and downloading of the Harris government, Lorenzo sought and won the nomination as the Ontario Liberal Candidate for the Riding of Scarborough Southwest. He ran in the 2003 Provincial Election and defeated the incumbent Conservative MPP in October 2003. Lorenzo was re-elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2007 and 2011. Lorenzo has held various positions in the Ontario Government, including serving as Deputy Government Whip from 2003 until 2007. He also served as a Member of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies and the Cabinet Committee on Legislation and Regulation. In 2004, he introduced a Private Member’s Bill to outlaw “gender-based pricing,” which prohibited retailers from charging women more for goods and services compared to men. In December 2006, Lorenzo became Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. On January 2010, Lorenzo was appointed as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour. As the Parliamentary Assistant, Lorenzo worked with the Minister of Labour to improve employment workplace standards, facilitate labour relations, and achieve safe, fair and equitable workplaces. On November 2011, Lorenzo was appointed as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General. On February 2013, Lorenzo was appointed Chair of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies and Member of the Standing Committee on Social Policy. Currently he continues to serve on the Standing Committee on Government Agencies in addition to being a Member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. 

On June 2014, Lorenzo was re-appointed as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General and he's currently a member of the Standing Committee on Justice Policy and Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

Lorenzo, 52, resides in Scarborough Southwest with his wife Michelle, who serves as Toronto City Councillor for Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest.

MPP: Gilles Bisson - Timmins-James Bay

Almighty God, I come to you today on behalf of Gilles Bisson Member of Parliament in Timmins – James Bay, and ask that you would surround him with Your Presence. I ask that he would know the role that he has is vital to those people whom he represents, and that this would be a time when what he says and does brings hope to the lives of those he represents. I ask that today he would be aware of your guiding hand in his life, and that he would call upon you for help in the midst of any circumstance that he faces today. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gilles Bisson was first elected in 1990, and subsequently re-elected in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007 & 2011.

Since he was first elected in 1990, Gilles has championed many causes and developed a reputation for being a tireless working MPP. He was instrumental in exposing the water crisis in First Nation communities like Kashechewan, and has fought to save forestry and mining jobs in the north.

Gilles and his staff are known as tireless advocates for the constituents of Timmins - James Bay. Be it helping constituents with navigating an issue through WSIB or ODSP, or securing a funding application for a community group or a municipality. Gilles and his staff are known as going the extra mile on their behalf.

Gilles happily married to Murielle Bisson, is a proud father of two grown daughters Julie Bisson/Gardner and Natalie Bisson/Wakeford and grandfather to Nathaniel, Victoria and Elissa.

http://www.gillesbisson.ca/bio/

MPP: Chris Ballard - Newmarket-Aurora

Dear Lord, I come to You today on behalf of Chris Ballard. We know that he holds vital roles in the Provincial political scene, and I ask that today you would give him special favor in those roles. I ask that you would give him special ability in particular in dealing with the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and that he would be able to not only strategize, but also resource and empathize with those of our communities who are less fortunate. I pray for a special blessing on him today, that he would recognize an overwhelming sense of Presence of God in his life. Amen.

Chris began his journalism career as a reporter with the Newmarket Era and Aurora Banner and The Orillia Packet and Times, and went on to write for daily media, including Canadian Press and The Toronto Star.
He then moved on to work in Communications with the Scarborough Board of Education.
Chris took his skills and abilities and put them to work for Consumers with both the Consumers' Association of Canada and the Consumers Council of Canada where he was a strong advocate for consumer issues in this country.

Chris has had the opportunity to mentor young people as a professor at Centennial College, and working on behalf of seniors with the Ontario Long Term Care Association.

As a volunteer, Chris stood with teachers during the turbulent times in the 1990s, where he worked to build ties among parents, teachers and school administrators by helping to establish a very successful Parents Council at his children's public school.

As an elected Councillor for Aurora, Chris has championed issues such as revitalizing the downtown core, transparency in decision-making, fiscal responsibility, the environment and the importance of local cultural development.

Chris has co-owned and run a business for the past 25 years.

Chris Ballard was born and raised in King City. He and his wife Audrey have raised their three children in Aurora.


http://chrisballard.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Robert (Bob) Bailey - Sarnia-Lambton

Father, we thank You for the strength that You have given to MPP Robert Bailey strength of character, integrity and the ability to understand the complexities that he faces in his everyday life. We ask that You would further strengthen him and that he would clearly see the issues that stand before him as he makes decisions that will affect the people of Ontario. In the name of Jesus, Amen.


Bob Bailey was born and raised in Petrolia, Ontario, just southeast of Sarnia, in the heart of the riding of Sarnia-Lambton. The Bailey family has a long history in this part of Ontario. Bob has been married to his wife Elizabeth for 43 years and together they raised three children and have two grandchildren.

Prior to serving the hard-working people of Sarnia-Lambton as an MPP, Bob was an employee of NOVA Chemicals’ at both the Corunna Plant and St. Clair River Site. During his 30 years of service he held several positions including most recently as Contract and Construction Coordinator.

Upon his election to the Ontario Legislative Assembly in 2007 as the MPP for Sarnia Lambton, MPP Bailey was appointed to the Official Opposition’s Labour Critic Portfolio, and selected to serve on the Standing Committee for General Government. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position as the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Estimates. In 2009, MPP Bailey was appointed as the Official Opposition’s Critic for Apprenticeships and Training, and Chair of the PC Caucus’ Rural Taskforce. In 2011, MPP Bailey took responsibility for the Corrections portfolio to help spearhead the fight to save the Sarnia Jail from closure by the Provincial Government. That same year, PC Leader Tim Hudak appointed Bob as the Deputy-Whip of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition at Queen’s Park, a role he still holds today. In October, 2013, MPP Bailey added the Natural Resources (Oil, Gas & Aggregates) Critic role to his responsibilities at Queen’s Park. MPP Bailey views the Natural Resources Critic role as an opportunity to promote the tremendous opportunity for economic growth and job creation in Ontario through the proper handling and development of the natural resources both in Ontario, and across Canada.

MPP Bailey brings small town values of hard-work, commitment and common sense to the Ontario Legislature. MPP Bailey uses his experience and understanding of the work that the people of Sarnia-Lambton excel at to promote the region at Queen’s Park. He strives to keep the conversation and decision-making at Queen’s Park balanced, informed and fair. MPP Bailey is deeply invested in achieving government accountability for Ontario’s taxpayers and believes that Ontarians should only pay for the size of government that they can comfortably afford.



http://bobbaileympp.com/about-bob/

MPP: Ted Arnott - Wellington-Halton Hills

Lord, surround MPP Ted Arnott today and in the coming days with Your wisdom and guidance. May his thoughts and plans be established by You. Give him the ability to discern what is of real value. May he be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in his constituency and how to meet them. May they win favor and a good name with all people. Amen.


As MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, Ted is trusted, experienced and dedicated. He is a persistent and effective advocate for our communities and the values we share.


He strongly supports our local health care services and schools. He pushes for the infrastructure projects we need. He looks out for farm families. He supports small business, and he knows we must do more to create jobs. 


Ted listens and then takes action. That’s what he’s done since 1990, when he was first elected to the Ontario Legislature at age 27. Quickly earning a reputation as a decent and hard-working representative, he was re-elected in 1995, 1999, 2003, and again in 2007. 
Today, Ted services as a Presiding Officer (assistant Speaker) in the Legislative Assembly. He also serves as the PC Critic to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.


Ted believes in our communities’ capacity to do good works and achieve great goals. He believes that government must be a partner, not an obstacle, in achieving these ambitions. Community conservatism--that’s Ted’s philosophy. 


http://www.tedarnottmpp.com/site/biography.html

MPP: Teresa Armstrong - London-Fanshawe

Lord, surround MPP Teresa Armstrong  today and in the coming days with Your wisdom and guidance. May her thoughts and plans be established by You. Give her the ability to discern what is of real value. May she be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in her constituency and how to meet them. Bless her family members and may love and faithfulness never leave them. May they win favor and a good name with all people. Amen.

Teresa Armstrong is the Member of Provincial Parliament for London-Fanshawe. She was elected on October 6th, 2011

Teresa has been actively involved in her community for many years. She was instrumental in the inception of the Argyle Resource Centre and served as one of its first chairpersons. She is also a past president of East London Lioness Club, a past board member of LUSO Centre, a volunteer with East London Optimist Club, a member of Argyle Community Association and she is a previous co-chair of the Argyle Indoor Pool Committee.

Politics is not a new venture for Teresa. She has worked alongside and supported her husband Bill Armstrong, City Councillor, Ward 2 for many years. Throughout the years Teresa has worked with Bill volunteering and organizing community events such as senior’s Christmas parties, Canada Day events and community clean ups at Lord Nelson and Forestview Parks.

Teresa’s experience as an insurance broker, working with the public and her countless hours of volunteering have allowed her to develop the leadership skills necessary to effectively represent the people of London Fanshawe. At a time when Ontario needs change, Teresa offers a positive change and a focus on putting people first.

Teresa lives with her husband Bill and their two children.

MPP: Granville Anderson - Durham

Father, we thank you for MPP Granville Anderson. Thank you for his efforts to seek to improve the quality of life for Ontario residents. Continue to encourage him as he seeks to bring about changes that are important to him. May he also find the time to be revitalized and refreshed by his relationship with family and friends. In Christ’s name, Amen

Granville is a business owner, school trustee, and community leader whose private sector experience will help him create local jobs, grow our economy, and attract business and government investment.

As the owner of a local mediation firm, Granville has helped people throughout our community to find real and lasting solutions to challenges they faced.

He has also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Vice-President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Courtice Chapter, a coach with the Clarington Boys’ Baseball League, and is a member of Rotary Club of Courtice. 

Granville has been a school board trustee, responsible for balancing the Board’s $180 million dollar budget and initiating programs that led to student success.
He has called Clarington home for over 25 years. 

http://granvilleanderson.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Laura Albanese - York South-Weston

Lord, we ask You to bless MPP Laura Albanese in the many duties she fulfills. Give her clarity and the ability to make good decisions. Lead her into opportunities that will be for the benefit of her constituents and the people of Ontario. Fill her heart with your grace and peace and may her family be aware of Your love and care for them. In Christ’s name, Amen.


Laura Albanese is the Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of York South-Weston i­n the northwestern part of Toronto. Laura is proud to serve as a voice for the community of York South-Weston where she lives, works and has raised her family. She is dedicated ­­to improving the quality of life in her community and across Ontario.
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.

She currently serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance. She has previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. 



http://lauraalbanese.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Soo Wong - Scarborough-Agincourt

Father, we are thankful for MPP Soo Wong. Continue to give her vision, direction and steps necessary to move Ontario forward. We pray that she would be a strength, support, and encouragement to our Premier. Keep her family unified and protected. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Scarborough-Agincourt MPP, Soo Wong, is the first female Chinese-Canadian to be elected to the Ontario Legislature.

She was elected to represent the diverse and vibrant community of  Scarborough-Agincourt on October 6, 2011.  Currently, she serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.  Soo is also the Chair of the Legislation and Regulation Cabinet Committee and the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. 
She has previously served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Soo has introduced legislation to proclaim May 14th as "Children and Youth In Care Day".  She has also brought forward a resolution to the Ontario Legislature calling on the Government of Ontario to declare May as childhood obesity awareness month as part of its strategy to combat childhood obesity.  This resolution received unanimous support by all parties. 

Prior to being elected to the Ontario Legislature, Soo worked extensively in the Scarborough-Agincourt community as a Toronto District School Board Trustee where she chaired the Health Committee and the Operations, Facility Management Committee.  

As Chair of the Health Committee, Soo spearheaded the development of the first Type 1 diabetes management policy to be implemented by an Ontario public school board.  She delivered much-needed programming on a tight budget.

As Chair of the Facilities Management Committee, Soo was responsible for overseeing the operation and management of almost 600 facilities across Toronto.  She worked hard to successfully increase English as a Second Language programs across Toronto and to secure new playgrounds and additions for local schools.

Soo Wong worked in the health care field for over twenty-five years, starting out as a registered nurse.  She later worked in the City of York’s Health Department and York Region Health Services where she developed, implemented and evaluated No-Smoking By-Laws and policies. 

She also served as an administrator of a long-term care facility where she improved care, performance and staff morale.  Most recently, Soo was a Nursing Professor at the School of Health Sciences at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning where she taught a variety of nursing courses on the Canadian Health Care System, Population and Community Health Nursing and Primary Health Care.

Soo Wong arrived in Canada from Hong Kong at the age of eight along with her father, mother and two siblings.  She speaks fluent English and Cantonese.

She can be found on Saturdays at her Reading Circle for local youth at the Bridlewood Public Library.

http://soowong.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Jim Wilson - Simcoe-Grey

Lord, surround MPP Jim Wilson today and in the coming days with Your wisdom and guidance. May his thoughts and plans be established by You. Give him the ability to discern what is of real value. May he be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in his constituency and how to meet them. Bless his family and may love and faithfulness never leave them. May they win favor and a good name with all people. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Jim Wilson was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1990. In July 2014, he was elected by his PC Caucus colleagues as Interim Leader of the Party and Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. In May 2015, he was selected by PC Leader Patrick Brown to serve as Interim Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the Ontario Legislature.

At Queen's Park, Jim has served his province as Minister of Health, Minister of Energy, Science and Technology, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, and Minister of the Environment.

As Interim Leader of the Party, Jim has been a determined steward: reaching out to communities all across Ontario and preparing the office for his successor. Jim is lauded for his strength in spurring Opposition forward with an impressive level of tenacity and intelligence, building momentum for the provincial election in 2018.

Raised in Alliston and a resident of Wasaga Beach, Jim's family has lived in Simcoe-Grey for more than 200 years; a riding he continues to proudly serve as their unwavering Member of Provincial Parliament.

http://www.jimwilsonmpp.com/

MPP: Bill Walker - Bruce/Grey/Owen Sound

Father, we thank you for MPP Bill Walker and the experience he has had in the public sector. Thank you for his efforts to seek to improve the quality of life for Ontario residents. Continue to encourage him as he seeks to bring about changes that are important to him. May he also find the time to be revitalized and refreshed by his relationship with family and friends. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Bill Walker is a second-term member of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition at Queen’s Park.

Bill was re-elected to the Ontario Legislature on June 12, 2014, capturing 47 per cent of the popular vote to retain his seat in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.

Bill currently serves as Progressive Conservative Critic for Community and Social Services, and Long-Term Care and Wellness. He previously served as Critic for Children and Youth Services, as well as Deputy Health Critic for Rural and Northern Ontario. As Opposition Critic, Bill’s responsibility is to ensure that government programs and legislation are achieving their intended purpose.

Prior to his election to provincial parliament, Bill worked as Operations Manager at Bruce Power, and was Executive Director at the Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation where he led a successful campaign to raise $3 million for the Lion’s Head and Wiarton hospitals.

Bill was born and raised in Hepworth where he developed a strong sense of family values and a deep appreciation for our rural heritage. For this reason, Bill has long been active in Grey and Bruce, committing his time to social and economic causes. He has served on the popular Wiarton Willie Festival, Heart and Stroke Foundation and Bluewater Education Foundation.

Bill and his wife Michaela have two boys, Zach and Ben. In his spare time, Bill is a practicing amateur auctioneer and a minor sports coach for various local teams.

http://billwalkermpp.com/page.php?page=bio

MPP: Daiene Vernile - Kitchener Centre

Lord, surround MPP Daiene Vernile today and in the coming days with Your wisdom and guidance. May her thoughts and plans be established by You. Give her the ability to discern what is of real value. May she be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in his constituency and how to meet them. Bless her family and may love and faithfulness never leave them. May they win favor and a good name with all people. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Daiene Vernile is an award winning Kitchener broadcast journalist who covered your issues for three decades on CTV’s Provincewide.

A compassionate listener and insightful interviewer, Daiene (pronounced Diane) investigated many subjects, including social, cultural, educational, economic, healthcare and other concerns.  Now she’s committing herself to directly helping you and advancing local matters at the front line of public service.

For thirty years, Daiene has been an active volunteer and community supporter.  She is a strong advocate on women’s issues, passionate champion for social justice, and hands-on volunteer for poverty reduction – including ten years at the St. John’s Kitchen helping prepare meals.    

Daiene is among Wilfrid Laurier University’s “100 Alumni of Achievement” who inspire lives of leadership and purpose.  She began her career as a Queens Park legislature reporter, expanded her  journalism skills in Texas, and returned home to Ontario, spearheading one of Canada’s longest running public affairs programs.   

With husband John, she spent three decades in Kitchener and welcomed firstborn Andrew while refurbishing a century old home in the downtown.  The household grew to include Curtis and Claire in the Forest Hill neighbourhood.  Today, with the family grown, Daiene is re-dedicating her energy to helping people across the community through this form of public service.

http://daienevernile.onmpp.ca/Biography