MPP Bill Walker, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

You have a warrior’s heart and a bold spirit to defend the weak and to fight for family values. It has been a time of continuous contention but now is a season of fulfillment for you.  I ask the Lord to bless and strengthen that spirit that wars for the defenseless, that follows his heart for the values he believes in.  I pray you will bless his service and bless this coming time of fulfillment and goals realized. We pray strength and unity in his marriage and family as they stand together.

Bill is the MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound having been re-elected on June 12, 2014 for his second term with 47.6% of the vote.  Bill was first elected to the Ontario Legislature on Oct. 6, 2011.
Bill has served as the Progressive Conservative Critic for Children and Youth Services. Previously, he served as Deputy Health Critic for Rural and Northern Ontario. As Opposition critic, he was responsible for providing advice or criticism to ensure that government programs and legislation were achieving their intended purpose.

Prior to his election to serve in the 40th 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

MPP Daiene Vernile, Kitchener Centre

We pray today for our Member of Parliament Daiene Vemile. Father God we pray for her as she serves the people of Ontario. Help her Lord as she works with the constituents in her riding in Kitchener. Give her wisdom and compassion while she serves and directs her attention to help meet their needs and concerns today. Father I pray she would surround herself with wise counsel, turn her ear to wisdom from You, and apply her heart to understanding and truth.  Father in Heaven you said to pray for those leaders in authority, because all authority has been established by You, to accomplish Your purposes. I pray she hears your voice today. Lord come along side her and bless her, let her know and feel Your presence and peace in her life. We remember her family, husband and three children, and support staff - keep them all in your loving care. We ask all these things in Your mighty name Lord 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.

MPP John Vanthof, Timiskaming-Cochrane

Father God thank you for John Vanthof and his heart to serve the people of Timiskaming-Cochrane. Lord grant him wisdom, compassion and your divine strategy as he serves in this capacity. Protect him and his family and lead them to a relationship with you so that they can expand your Kingdom and give you glory.  In Jesus name, I pray for peace and blessing on John as he serves. Amen

John Vanthof is a longtime community leader and representative of the agricultural community.

John’s public service career started with his election to the Temiskaming Dairy Producer Committee on which he has served for over twenty years, including several as Chairman. In 2004, John was elected for a term to the Board of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. He was Director when Thornloe Cheese was threatened with closure, and played a key role in its rebirth.

John also served on municipal council for twelve years, but he is most widely recognized for his 10-year term as President of the Temiskaming Federation of Agriculture. During that time, the Federation represented the agricultural community in some key issues, most notably the Adams Mine Landfill debate. The critical analysis of the Ministry of Environment’s approval, commissioned by the Federation, was one of the catalysts that stopped the project.

John and his wife, Ria, owned and operated a dairy and crop farm outside of Earlton from 1984 until 2012 and have four children.