MPP John Yakabuski, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

Father, I thank you for John Yakabuski.  I thank you for his position in our government, for Your Word says that every ruling authority that exists has been established by You.  So Father, I thank you for establishing John Yakabuski, I thank you for establishing him in his calling and purpose in our government. I thank you for his heart of service.  I thank you that he knows You and loves You.  I pray that he hears Your voice above others and the voice of a stranger he will not follow.  I pray for an increase in Godly wisdom and strength as he represents his constituents in parliament.  I pray that the eyes of his heart will be enlarged to receive from you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that he may know You better.  May he be a Godly voice to our province and nation.  May his confidence and trust be found in You.  Father I pray that you will bless and keep him.  Fill him with Your peace in the midst of challenging times and bless him as he perseveres under trial.  Bless him abundantly so that he will have all that he needs at all times to thrive in every good work.  Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that you will send your angels concerning him, that You will surround him and his family with a hedge of Your protection.  I declare and decree that You are his strong tower and place of refuge.  I declare and decree that he will seek Your face.  Bless him Father, Amen.

John Yakabuski was elected to the Ontario Legislature as MPP for the riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke on October 2, 2003 and was re-elected on October 6th, 2011 for his third term. John is currently the Chief Whip for the Official Opposition. He has served as the House Leader and Energy Critic for the Official Opposition and has also served as the member of the General Government Committee.

John was raised on politics as his father, Paul Yakabuski, served as the Provincial Member for the riding of Renfrew South for 24 years. Formerly a real estate sales representative, John is best known locally as the former owner-operator of Yakabuski's Home Hardware in Barry's Bay, which he operated for 20 years. John is also known for his record of community service that has included service to the Royal Canadian Legion, Madawaska Valley Lions Club and the Boy Scouts. John has also sat on the steering committee of St. Francis Memorial Hospital's Capital Equipment Campaign. He is also very active in his church, St. John's Lutheran Augsburg.

In October of 2010, John recorded and released his second CD entitled "Taking Care" to raise funds that go directly to the nine long term care homes in his riding. John's first CD, "To Your Health" raised over $50,000 for the five local hospitals, in Renfrew County.

John grew up in a family of 14 children, just about enough for a quorum on its own. He and his wife Vicky have four children, and eight grandchildren.

Premier Hon Kathleen Wynne, Don Valley West

Lord we pray for our Premier Kathleen Wynne today. We ask that you will surround her with your grace, mercy and love. May she be aware of your presence and acknowledge you in her life. Give our provincial leader great wisdom and help her to make decisions that will honor you while at the same time blessing the people of Ontario. We pray safety and peace upon her life. May you prosper Ontario through her leadership.

Kathleen Wynne is Ontario’s 25th Premier. She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 as the MPP for Don Valley West, and she became the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in January, 2013.

Kathleen has served as Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Education and Minister of Agriculture and Food. As the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Kathleen finalized a new funding agreement with the federal government to improve access to affordable housing.

As the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Kathleen championed Ontario's $34-billion agri-food industry and brought in the Local Food Act.  In her role as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Kathleen worked in partnership with First Nations communities to address issues such as mining development and First Nations land claims, and improving quality of life for aboriginals living off-reserve through affordable housing and recreation programs.

As Minister of Education, Kathleen led the government’s efforts to reduce class sizes, implement full-day kindergarten and provide more opportunities for high school students to reach their full potential.  During Kathleen’s tenure as the Minister of Transportation, she secured a new transit expansion plan for Toronto including the Eglinton-Scarborough LRT, and oversaw Ontario’s largest highway investments, including the Highway 407 East Extension and the Windsor-Essex Parkway.

Kathleen has three adult children, Chris, Jessie and Maggie, and three grandchildren, Olivia, Claire and Hugh. She and her partner Jane have lived in North Toronto for more than 25 years.

MPP Soo Wong, Scarborough-Agincourt

Heavenly Father. We come to you on behalf of Ms. Wong, member for Scarborough – Agincourt and ask that you bless her endeavors as she works to represent the people in her riding. Thank you Lord for her role in the government, and Lord we pray that she would know the wisdom and knowledge of matters that concern the province of Ontario.  Encourage her this day we pray. Amen!

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. In April 2016 she was appointed by Premier Wynne as the Deputy Speaker.  Currently, she serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services   She is also a member of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly.

She has previously served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities and Minister of Community and Social Services.

In June 2015, Soo’s private member’s Bill 61, The Terry Fox Act became Ontario’s official extension of honour to Terry Fox, it designate the second Sunday after Labour Day, in September, as Terry Fox Day.

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.

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. 

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.

MPP Jim Wilson, Simcoe-Grey

Today we pray for Jim Wilson from Simcoe-Grey.  We pray for increased influence for the furtherance of GOOD on earth ... as it is in heaven.  We pray that the things that move Jim's heart are those that move God's too and he knows the where, when, and how to make that happen in his riding and province.   Blessings on Jim today! 

Jim Wilson was first elected to the Ontario Legislature in September 1990 when he began to make his mark as a strong local advocate for his constituents. His strength as a strong supporter of local concerns was revealed after his first election when he became well-known across Ontario for his fight to expand dialysis treatment, which resulted in the establishment of satellite clinics in Collingwood and Alliston.Jim has championed several local projects, including: helping to restore birthing services at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, fighting to re-start the Highway 26 re-development from Stayner to Collingwood, approving the last major expansion of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, saving the homestead of Sir Frederick Banting, and restoring medical laboratory services in Stayner, Tottenham and Elmvale and winning an expansion of services in Wasaga Beach. He is also an ardent supporter of local farmers and our rich agricultural heritage.

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. He currently serves as House Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Jim was raised in Alliston and lives in Wasaga Beach. His family has lived in Simcoe-Grey for more than 200 years.