A Christmas Prayer

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER


Dear Lord,

We pray that this Christmas, once again our eyes would be turned to the babe born in a manger. The miracle of your birth is that you God, took on human form and came and lived among us. As we look at the events of that first Christmas, may we also be reminded that your short journey on earth culminated in your death, the most significant event in history, so that people everywhere could have the opportunity to be forgiven and receive eternal. May our prayer be, that the Savior of the world would find a place of residence in all our hearts.

We prayer for all our MLA’s that during this Christmas season, they would experience your presence and peace and be refreshed and renewed as they spend time with family and friends.

In Jesus Name, Amen

The Leading Influence Team and the many that join us from across the province to pray for our MLA’s, want to wish them a Happy and Blessed New Year.

A Prayer for Our Leaders

Here's a list to PRAY for Godly Leaders that would care about the things that you care about. I pray for all men and women having authority over us in any way.  Praying for thirteen Premiers of Canada, currently three are women. The longest-serving Premier is Brad Wall of Saskatchewan, who has held the position since November 21, 2007; the newest Premier is Rachel Notley of Alberta, who assumed office on May 24, 2015. The oldest Premier, Greg Selinger of Manitoba, was born in 1951; The youngest Premier, Brian Gallant of New Brunswick, was born in 1982. There are thirteen incumbent Premiers, of which six are from a Liberal Party, two are from a New Democratic Party, one is from a Progressive Conservative Party, one is from the Saskatchewan Party, one is from the Yukon Party, and two are non-partisan.

Transitions and the Power of Prayer

Courtesy of our friends at 'Nation At Prayer' People woke up Tuesday morning to another new day - and a nation in transition.  A new Prime Minister had been elected; the Third Party has become the party in power; the Official Opposition has become the Third Party; the party in power has become the Official Opposition; the Green Party lost a member; the Bloc increased from 4 to 10; and the sitting Prime Minister resigned as Party Leader.      1,792 candidates ran for office, 1,454 unsuccessfully, including 106 incumbent MPs; 338 were elected, of which 197 are new to Ottawa.     Transition does not only impact the party standings; it impacts the life of every candidate and his/her family. Every candidate is in process of closing their campaign offices; in addition, defeated incumbents may be moving from accommodation in Ottawa while dealing with the sting of defeat and contemplating their life after politics; successful candidates are looking for new constituency offices and waiting to be assigned their Ottawa offices, while making living arrangements in their 'home away from home'.    Those returning to Ottawa are going through transition - to new roles in Parliament, new seating arrangements (in many cases on the opposite side of the House), and unfamiliar colleagues. Many of them are experiencing varying emotions as they adjust to the reality that some of their colleagues are not returning, even as they adjust to new personalities and changed balances of power. Families are preparing for the long absences from home that accompany elected office; some are weighing the relative merits of moving to Ottawa where they can be together throughout the week while maintaining a presence in the constituency. For those of us who know and trust the transforming power of prayer, this transition is much more than a time of change; it is the time to invite the unequaled and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit to infuse the hearts and minds of those who now govern our nation, so that God's purposes for Canada will be served.  Whatever our thoughts and feelings about the outcome of the election, we have the great privilege and even greater responsibility, as the apostle Paul instructs, to give priority to praying for all who govern.  What confidence is ours that God can be fully trusted; that He is at work in ways beyond our knowing, for our good and the good of the nation; that He can use every elected representative for His purposes; and that there is nothing in all creation that He cannot transform or beyond which He is not more powerful!

WHAT TO PRAY FOR... THE PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE: Wisdom and discernment as he assumes the role and in appointing the Cabinet Capacity to understand complex issues Energy and endurance Adaptability in responding to rapidly changing circumstances and events Protection for him and his family ALL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT: Wisdom as they assume their new responsibilities God's grace to use their position wisely with integrity and strength of character The power of the Holy Spirit to overcome any sense of entitlement  Their families, as they make the adjustment to new realities Guidance in finding suitable accommodation and office space Courage to do what is right and grace in doing it THOSE DEFEATED, PARTICULARLY INCUMBENTS:  Pray that the Holy Spirit will: Remove any residual bitterness, depression, or sense of personal rejection Guide them into new occupations with a renewed sense of call and fulfillment Guide their families in making any adjustments All now need refreshment from the grueling schedule of a 78-day campaign, and God's grace to return to a more normalized life. Above all and for all, may this time of transition be a time of transformation when the Holy Spirit awakens or deepens relationships with the living God, the source of transformation. Because we pray, their lives - and our nation - will be impacted and transformed.

A Prayer For Our Nation

“I urge you first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way kings and all who are in authority…” 2 Tim 2:1-2

Father, I thank you for Canada and our new Prime Minister elect, Justin Trudeau. Lord, I pray that you would infuse him with humility, courage, honesty, and integrity. I lift up all our elected MP’s. I pray that they would call on you, seeking your grace and wisdom to fulfill their roles as our elected officials. I ask that you would protect the marriages and families of all 338 Members of Parliament.

I declare our prayers of blessing wield far more power than words of disappointment or complaint. We choose to respect and honour our leaders as your word clearly instructs us to do.

God keep our land glorious and free, from sea to sea to sea. AMEN.

Hon. Sharon Blady MLA - Kirkfield Park

Lord as we start this day may you give the Hon. Sharon Blady a clear mind and focus for your people of Manitoba. May you give her compassion and empathy as she serves. Bless her family as she travels and works for the good of all. We ask all of this in Jesus name – Amen.

Sharon was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kirkfield Park on May 22, 2007 and was re-elected on October 4, 2011. She was appointed Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors by Premier Greg Selinger on October 18, 2013.

Sharon has deep roots in the community, where she attended Buchanan Elementary, Hedges Junior High and Silver Heights Collegiate. She is proud to be raising her two boys in the neighbourhood, where they have attended École Bannatyne, Golden Gate and Silver Heights/Sturgeon Heights Collegiate.

Sharon has taken on various additional roles since being elected. She served on several government committees, including as president of the Manitoba section of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (L’assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie). She was also an Energy Committee member for the Midwestern Legislators' Conference.

Prior to her election, Sharon was an educator, decolonization scholar and published author, focusing on the art, history and gender relations of First Peoples in Canada and working for social justice for women and Aboriginal peoples. Sharon has over 15 years’ experience teaching at post-secondary institutions across Canada, including teaching in the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing Program and the Inner City Social Work Program at the University of Manitoba. She also designed and taught introductory courses for the Gender and Women’s Studies Program at Brandon University.

Sharon brings her experience as an activist and a mother to her role as MLA for Kirkfield Park. With her involvement on parent councils and the Block Parent program, as well as with social justice and environmental groups like the University of Manitoba Recycling and Environmental Group and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, she has brought energy and commitment to providing a better future for our children, our community, and our planet.

http://yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Kirkfield%20Park

Hon. Peter Bjornson MLA - Gimli

Gracious Lord, we bring Gimli MLA Peter Bjornson before you today with thanksgiving. Please grant him wisdom and discernment in as he serves in legislature and his constituency. Lead and guide him in all areas of his life. Use his experience and education to accomplish your purposes in legislature. We pray for your protection upon Mr. Bjornson and his family in all areas of their lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Peter Bjornson was elected in the June 2003 general election, re-elected in 2007, and again in 2011. He was appointed the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth by Premier Gary Doer in 2003 and re-appointed after the 2007 election. In November 2009, he became Minister of Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade under Premier Greg Selinger. Finally, on October 18, 2013, he was appointed Minister of Housing and Community Development.

A teacher by profession, Peter devoted 13 years of his life to his students before entering politics. Peter's involvement at the scholastic level has included coaching volleyball and basketball, assisting with student council, and participating in the drug and alcohol policy, school improvement, and discipline committees. A teacher advocate and member of the Evergreen Teachers' Association Executive, Peter served as president in 1996.

Peter has also served as a councilor for the Town of Gimli where he gained valuable experience in local governance. During his term from 1998 to 2002, Gimli saw many improvements made and initiatives undertaken such as upgrades to recreational facilities and other infrastructure projects, including the harbour park development and a new public works facility. During his term, Peter was a key player in the historic municipal merger between the Town and RM of Gimli. There was also a reduction in municipal taxes during his time on council. A young entrepreneur, Peter ran a successful small business for 15 years.

During his six years as Minister of Education, Peter substantially advanced Inclusive Education and Aboriginal Academic Achievement initiatives and initiated the Education for Sustainable Development grant program. He also increased funding for a number of important programs and put forth many innovations in curriculum and resource supports, including Safe Schools, Assessment for Learning, mandatory physical education and nutrition policies, amongst many others.

Peter was raised in a household where community service wasn't unique or exceptional, but expected. He has served on the Gimli and District Restitution and Reconciliation Committee for Youth Justice and was president of the Kinsmen Club of Gimli. Peter was also co-chair for two Kinsmen projects that raised capital funds for a new health centre. Furthermore, Peter has represented the town of Gimli on the Gimli Recreation Society, the Icelandic Festival Committee, the Gimli Youth Advisory Board, the Western Canada Summer Games, the Gimli Fire Committee, the Gimli Harbour Committee and the Canada Day Committee. He also served as chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Peter's innovative teaching methods, curiosity, and desire for excellence have been recognized through numerous awards such as the Queen's Jubilee Medal, the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History (2000 & 2003) and the Prime Minister's Award in 2001. Peter's awareness of history and its impact on our province as well as events that may shape our future make him an excellent MLA to represent the constituency of Gimli.

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Gimli

Hon. Steve Ashton MLA - Thompson

Thank you Lord for the Hon. Steve Ashton. We lift him and his riding up to You today God and ask that you would bless this area that he serves. Thank You that he has made himself available to his province and for the sacrifice he makes in travel and time away from home. May he know that his efforts are noticed and appreciated. Please bless Steve and his family this summer with rest and relaxing times. In Your name we pray, Amen.  

Steve was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1981. He has been re-elected eight consecutive times. Before Premier Greg Selinger appointed Steve as the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation, he served as the Minister of Conservation, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister responsible for Emergency Measures, and in November 2003 he was named Minister of Water Stewardship, a department solely committed to water issues and the first such department to be created in Canada.
Steve is also the minister responsible for Emergency Measures, and has worked hard to protect homes and communities from last year’s historic flooding.

More About Steve

• Received a B.A. (Hon.) in Political Studies at the University of Manitoba and a M.A. in Economics from Lakehead University
• Has lived in Thompson since 1967 – his wife Hari Dimitrakopoulou-Ashton is a college instructor
• Has two children – Niki, the MP for Churchill and Alexander, an instructor with the University College of the North in Thompson.

http://www.steveashton.ca

Rob Altemeyer MLA - Wolseley

Lord, today we pray for Rob Altemeyer the MLA for Wolseley. As he brings direction as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Family Services, the Minister of Housing and Community Development, and the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship, we pray that you would guide him. Thank you that you have raised him up to represent the people of Wolseley this way. Grant him wisdom, compassion and joy in his everyday living. In Jesus name, amen.

BIOGRAPHY

Rob was first elected 2003 and re-elected in 2007. He is honoured to represent the diverse and dynamic neighbourhoods of West Broadway, St. Matthew’s, Armstrong Point, Spence and Wolseley. Rob’s priorities at the legislature reflect the priorities of his constituents, including green initiatives and poverty reduction.
Rob’s extensive background working on environmental issues led Premier Selinger to appoint Rob as the Legislative Assistant to both the Minister of Housing and Community Development and the Minister of Conservation. Rob also serves as a Deputy Chair to the Committee of the Whole in the Legislative Chamber.

http://todaysndp.ca/mla/rob-altemeyer

Hon. James Allum MLA - Fort Garry - Riverview

God thank You for the Hon. James Allum and the hours he tirelessly serves his constituency of St Vital. May he receive wisdom and strength today as he conducts his business. We pray for creative strategies to solve challenges he may also face. Thank You that You love him and his family and watch over them always. Amen. 

James was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort Garry-Riverview on October 4, 2011 following a fifteen-year career with the City of Winnipeg. He was appointed Minister of Education and Advanced Learning by Premier Greg Selinger on October 18, 2013.

James moved to Winnipeg in 1996 to work at the City of Winnipeg Archives, which houses one of the finest municipal archival collections in Canada. In 2001, James joined the CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) Secretariat where he served in a variety of positions including Corporate Projects Officer, Executive Assistant and Policy Advisor to the CAO, Acting Environmental Coordinator, and Senior Consultant in Strategic Management. His last post was as the Manager of Aboriginal Initiatives in the Office of the CAO.

James completed a BA and MA at Trent University in Peterborough, where he won the Governor General’s Gold Medal for Academic Achievement in 1988. He holds a PhD in Canadian and Environmental History from Queen’s University. In addition to writing the first PhD thesis in Environmental History at Queen’s, he has published a variety of articles and book reviews over the years.

James is active in the local academic, educational, heritage and political communities. He taught part-time in the Department of History at the University of Winnipeg from 1999 to 2006 and served as Chair of the Manitoba Heritage Council from 2002 to 2006. In 2008, he was named Chair of the Council on Post-secondary Education for the Province of Manitoba.

He is a former board member of the Riverview Community Club and convener for Riverview in the Pembina Trail Hockey Association. He is also the founder of the Connecting Communities Project, which encourages mutual aid and support between neighbourhoods in Winnipeg. A well-known advocate for active transportation and green commuting, James is also an avid sports fan and participant with an intense interest in hockey, baseball, football, and golf. He and his wife Susan have three adult children and are proud to call Winnipeg home.

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Fort%20Garry%20-%20Riverview

Nancy Allan MLA - St. Vital

Nancy Allan - We ask you Lord for continued blessing on Nancy Allan as she works to shape the province of Manitoba. May you fill her with love and compassion for the people she serves. Give her extra strength to carry out the decisions that will benefit your people. Blessings to her and her family - in Jesus name - Amen.

Nancy Allan was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1999 as the MLA for St. Vital and re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011. In November 2003, she was appointed the Minister of Labour and Immigration, Minister responsible for Multiculturalism, the Workers Compensation Board, and Status of Women. In November 2009, Nancy was appointed the Minister of Education under Premier Greg Selinger where she served until 2013.

Prior to 2003, she was a member of the Legislative Assembly Management Commission and participated on the Task Force for Graduated Drivers Licenses. Nancy also served as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Education and Youth, and to the Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism.

Nancy served as a school trustee in the Norwood School Division and as Chair of the St. Boniface School Division Finance Committee. She was on the Amalgamation Steering Committee for the Norwood and St. Boniface School Divisions, which amalgamated in 1998.
Prior to being elected, she managed Nancy Allan Associates, which provided fund development and strategic planning services to small businesses and non-profit organizations. Her experience as a business owner and expertise in the non-profit sector gave her the opportunity to work with many community organizations.

Nancy was the Director of Development for the Canadian Diabetes Association and also served as the Executive Director of the Manitoba Motion Picture Industries Association. She was Chair of the Board of the Winnipeg International Children's Festival and received a Premier's Volunteer Service Award for her commitment to this organization. She also taught two Continuing Education courses at the University of Winnipeg on fund development.
In her community, Nancy has fostered relationships with daycares, tenant associations, seniors, youth, business organizations and the intersectoral social agencies. She has also implemented and supported a Drug Awareness Working Group, which works in the community to develop youth programming. Nancy is involved with environmental issues within the community and is proud of the work done by Save Our Seine and Bishop Grandin Greenway.

Nancy and her husband have two children.

http://todaysndp.ca/mla/nancy-allan

MLA: IAN WISHART - PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE * MANITOBA PC CRITIC FOR FAMILY SERVICES AND PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

Heavenly Father, today we lift up Portage la Prairie MLA Ian Wishart to you in prayer. We ask for your wisdom in his continued work in agricultural and community initiatives. Grant him your discernment, mercy and grace as he seeks to bring new initiatives in these and other areas in the province of Manitoba. Please keep Mr. Wishart and his family safe and healthy as they carry out their daily routines. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Ian and his wife Leslie live on a four generation family farm just north of the City of Portage la Prairie with their two children CJ and Rhae.

Ian has most recently finished his third term as president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, following four years as Vice-President of that organization. He has served on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture executive including terms as co-chair of Safety Nets and Environment. Ian also served 9 years on the Manitoba Crop Insurance Board, including 3 years as vice-chair and 3 years with the Manitoba Water Council.

He currently serves on the Portage Fair Board, a position he has maintained since returning to Portage la Prairie, is the secretary of the Delta Agricultural Conservation Coop, and is a director of the Centennial Community Club Inc, which administers arena operations to further support the athletic pursuits of Portage youth. In the past, he was President of the Manitoba Forage Council for 7 years, and participated in a trade mission to promote Manitoba products overseas.

Ian received the Agri Food Award of Excellence for the environmental work he has done on the Alternate Land Use Services (ALUS) program that introduced the principals of Environmental Goods & Services to Canadian Ag Policy.

http://www.pcmanitoba.com/ian_wishart_mla

MLA: HON MELANIE WIGHT - BURROWS - MINISTER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

Father thank You for the privilege to lift up our leaders to You. You care about each person and today we remember the Hon. Melanie Wight and we ask that You would surround her with Your love and peace as she works, rests and sleeps.  Keep her family safe in travels and at home. Bless her as she serves the province of Manitoba. In Your Name we pray, amen.

As Burrows new MLA, Melanie brings a wealth of experience to the Manitoba legislature. She has been working in the child welfare field since the 1990s, when she began managing an emergency foster home for boys in the North End of Winnipeg. For the past 16 years, she has worked for MacDonald Youth Services at a recovery unit for adolescent boys involved in crime. Her experiences have taught her first-hand how the right interventions can create positive change in the lives of crime-involved youth and improve the health of entire communities.

Melanie also has experience in the corporate world with a local commercial development firm where she worked as corporate asset manager for the continental region.

Melanie Wight was born in Melita and spent her childhood and adolescence on a farm just outside of Napinka. She moved to Winnipeg at age 18 and earned a BA from the University of Manitoba with a focus on psychology, sociology and criminology. She has also attended Red River Community College where she trained to become a certified youth care worker.

She looks forward to helping make Burrows an even better, more affordable place to live and raise a family.
More about Melanie

• Passionate about education and has taken a number of courses in areas like mental health First Aid, youth and suicide, cultural awareness, Aboriginal culture, and theatre; 
• Has been a core trainer for youth care workers and recently become a trainer for the Red Cross RespectEd program, designed to prevent abuse in youth relationships;
• An experienced group facilitator and counsellor;
• An accomplished speaker who also performs periodically in theatrical productions
• Appointed to the board of directors for the Rehabilitation Centre for Children and acts as the board’s representative to the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation;
• Vice-president of the Child and Youth Care Workers Association of Manitoba, and
• For 20 years, has worked and lived in Winnipeg’s North End, where she raised her daughter.

http://todaysndp.ca/mla/melanie-wight

MLA: MATT WIEBE - CONCORDIA

God, we pray for MLA Matt Wiebe of Concordia. We thank you for his active involvement in the community and pray that his passion would be used for your glory. Give him wisdom in decisions and planning for the future. Today, we pray that you would reveal your glory to him and his family. We pray this all in your name, amen.

Matt Wiebe has a proven ability to bring people together. As a community organizer, Matt spearheaded several initiatives in his home neighbourhood of Elmwood around the issues of adult literacy training, support for new Canadians, neighbourhood beautification and crime and safety issues. The broad base of trust he built throughout the community was critical to his election as MLA for Concordia in 2010 and re-election in 2011.

With Matt as MLA, Concordia has continued to experience exciting growth, including the rebuilding of the East Elmwood Community Centre, the upgrading and repaving of Molson Street, and support for new housing and health care initiatives at Concordia Hospital.

Matt is dedicated to building a safer, healthier, greener northeast Winnipeg. He has served as a board member of the Elmwood Community Resource Centre as well as the volunteer chair of the Elmwood Safety Committee and the Communities That Care initiative. He’s proud to be part of a government that is focused on public safety.

More About Matt

• Holds a degree in Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Winnipeg/Manitoba;
• Grew up in the East Kildonan neighbourhood of Valley Gardens;
• Has volunteered his time to organizations in and around Concordia, including the Keenleyside Outreach Centre, Elmwood/East Kildonan Residents Advisory Committee, Happy Days on Henderson/Take Pride Elmwood, Beautify Elmwood Community Committee and the River East Neighbourhood Network; and
• Matt lives in north Winnipeg with his wife Kaila and children Anna and Noah

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Concordia

MLA: ANDREW SWAN - MINTO

Lord God, we ask for your blessing upon Minto MLA: Andrew Swan as he serves in the legislature. You have used him extensively in the province and granted him favor both there and in his community. Today we ask that you would continue to lead and guide Mr. Swan in every area of his life so that his many skills and talents would be instrumental in bringing about your purposes in legislature. Hold Mr. Swan and his family close to you and keep them safe in everything they do. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

"I’m working to make Manitoba a national beacon of public safety, where effective, proven prevention measures prevent crime, where police have the resources they need to fight crime, and where tough penalties give prosecutors the tools they need to keep criminals off our streets - and make no mistake, the streets are ours."

Andrew was first elected as an MLA in 2004 and was re-elected in 2007. He has served as the Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade, and in 2009 he was appointed the Minister of Justice and Manitoba’s Attorney General.

Andrew’s appointment as the Minister of Justice follows a long and active career in Manitoba’s Justice system. He graduated from the U of M Law School and practiced law at the firm of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman from 1990 until his election to the Legislature. While practicing law, he was also an active member of the Manitoba Bar Association, serving as chairperson of the Young Lawyers subsection. He also assisted as a lecturer and a seminar leader for the Law Society of Manitoba’s Bar Admission course.

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Minto

MLA: HON. STAN STRUTHERS - DAUPHIN - MINISTER OF MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, MINISTER CHARGED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MANITOBA HYDRO ACT

Today we lift up in prayer Stan Struthers. Lord may you give him wisdom and discernment as he serves the people of Manitoba. Lord lift him in spirit and in mind as he travels and helps shape his province. We ask in Jesus name - Amen.

“Manitoba is a better place to live, work and raise a family than it’s ever been – working together, we can keep building.”

• First appointed to cabinet in 2003
• First elected in 1995

Stan Struthers was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1995 as the member for Dauphin and was re-elected as the MLA for Dauphin-Roblin in 1999, 2003, 2007 and again in 2011 as the MLA for Dauphin.

In his first term, he served as his party's Natural Resources Critic and Deputy Agriculture Critic. After the election of 1999, he served as the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Health. In November 2003 he was appointed Minister of Conservation by Premier Gary Doer. Stan went on to become Manitoba's longest serving Minister of Conservation, until he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives in November 2009. He then became the Minister of Finance in 2011. On October 18, 2013, Premier Greg Selinger appointed Stan the Minister of Municipal Government and Minister charged with administration of the Manitoba Hydro Act.

Stan graduated from Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in 1977, received his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees from Brandon University and his Masters of Education from the University of Manitoba. His teaching career began at Norway House First Nation and took him to teaching positions in the Parkland area, including a two-year term as principal of Rorketon Collegiate.

Stan's first interest in politics came to him at a very young age. With his father he watched the Liberal nomination race that elected Pierre Trudeau as leader—to his father's dismay. Stan soon came to share with his father a keen interest in politics. Debates on the issues of the day became a regular occurrence in the Struthers household.

Stan has enjoyed working with the people of his community over the years and cites the strength of that relationship on the twin pillars of co-operation and hard work. He has always marveled at the abundance of wisdom and knowledge to be found in the community and often cites the rich cultural fabric of the area which has produced a tradition of collaboration and success.

According to Stan, building on an agricultural base represents the future of the Parkland. The region's success, he says, depends on creating value-added jobs in agriculture and opportunities for our youth. Young people want to be part of building our community, one that will provide solid recreational opportunities and an equally strong and well-developed infrastructure.

Stan is proud of Dauphin for its recreation facilities which are second to none in promoting healthy living, like the Vermillion walking trail and the walking track at Credit Union Place which many people use on a daily basis. He believes the constituency of Dauphin is a great place to raise a family—especially when every community in the constituency is working hard to improve opportunities for young people.

Stan enjoys participating in many local fundraising events and is often asked to take part in community initiatives. He tries to accept every invitation that arrives in his office; for him, remaining active in the life of his community and representing the interests of his constituents are the most important things he can do as the area's MLA.

On June 4, 2005, the Dauphin-Roblin NDP Constituency Association recognized Stan with a 10-year anniversary celebration and on October 1st, 2010, for his 15 years as MLA with a celebration marking his election to office. Stan is honoured to have been elected five times and owes a debt of gratitude to his family and his constituents.

Stan and his wife Michelle live in Dauphin with their son Alex.

MLA: HEATHER STEFANSON - TUXEDO - MANITOBA PC CRITIC FOR JOBS AND THE ECONOMY, CITY OF WINNIPEG

Father, we pray for Heather Stefanson who is bringing leadership to the Tuxedo riding. As she makes decisions as the Deputy Leader and critic responsible for Jobs and the Economy and the City of Manitoba, we pray your guiding and wisdom would present. We pray for her young family, that you would protect them physically and grant them memorable family times. We thank you Lord for Mrs. Stefanson and her commitment to Manitoba. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Heather Stefanson was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature as the member for Tuxedo in a by-election in 2000. Since then, she has held a number of shadow cabinet portfolios including Advanced Education, Education, Training and Youth, Health, Water Stewardship, Conservation, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, and Caucus Whip.

Heather has been successful in bringing forward a wide range of issues on behalf of her constituency. She believes in strong family values; a competitive economy that offers hope and opportunity for young Manitobans; a strong education system that prepares our youth to compete in the global economy; a health care system that puts patients first; a justice system that fosters safe communities and a clean environment where our children can safely swim in our lakes.

Before entering the Legislature as an MLA, Heather was active in politics as a volunteer. In addition, she volunteered for a number of charitable organizations and events in Winnipeg and in London where she went to the University of Western Ontario for her undergraduate degree in Political Science. Heather also had the opportunity to work in government at both the federal and provincial levels in the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada and the Minister of Education.

Above all else, Heather loves spending family time with husband Jason, her two children, Victoria (born November 2001), Tommy (born January 2004), and their Labrador Retriever, Thatcher.

http://www.heatherstefanson.com/