MLA: Theresa Oswald - Seine River

Father we are grateful for the many years of service MLA Theresa Oswald has committed to our province. We pray that You would direct her steps as she prepares to step down from politics. May You give her peace and direction in the next phase of her career, and help her to continue to serve with honour and integrity as she fulfills her mandate as MLA of Seine River. We pray that You would give her the strength to carryout the many tasks before her. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

• First appointed to cabinet in 2004
• First elected in 2003

Theresa Oswald was elected to represent Seine River in the 2003 general election, and served one year as the Premier’s Legislative Assistant. In October 2004 Premier Doer appointed Theresa as the Minister of Healthy Living, with responsibility for Seniors and Healthy Child Manitoba. In September 2006 Premier Doer appointed her as the new Minister of Health. Theresa was re-elected in 2007 and 2011 to represent the people of Seine River.

After serving as Health Minister for seven years, longer than any other Health Minister in Canada, Premier Greg Selinger appointed Theresa the Minister of Jobs and the Economy on October 18, 2013.

Theresa had the privilege in 2005 of serving as the chair for the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures Task Force, which had a mandate to seek input from Manitobans concerning physical activity, nutrition and injury prevention for children. In June of 2005 the task force released a report containing 47 recommendations on which the government is enthusiastically making progress.

Before launching her political career, Theresa spent eleven years teaching English at Glenlawn Collegiate where she connected with hundreds of students and parents. She earned a reputation as an outstanding teacher with high expectations, and an array of teaching strategies to support all learners in meeting those expectations. Theresa also served as a vice-principal at an exceptional needs school in the Louis Riel School Division. There she had first-hand experience in dealing with children and parents who had significant issues with poverty and unemployment, immigration, illiteracy, and anxieties associated with fleeing war-torn countries.

As English Department Head and Coordinator of the Student Leadership course, Theresa developed expertise in both the theory and practice of strong leadership. As Partnerships Coordinator at Glenlawn, Theresa forged and maintained meaningful connections for the school and community with organizations including the Victoria Hospital, the Royal Bank, the Zoological Society of Manitoba and Take Pride Winnipeg!

Theresa believes that active learning gives life its shape, its force and its beauty. She has been an active member of a competitive senior volleyball league, and is an avid reader and book club member, a theatre-goer, a traveler, a singer, and an activist for environmental, women’s and youth issues.

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Seine%20River

MLA: Hon. Thomas Nevakshonoff - Interlake

Father, we thank you for MLA Honorable Thomas Nevakshonoff . Thank you for his efforts to seek to improve the future quality of life for Manitobans as the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship. God, please continue to encourage him as he seeks to bring about changes that are important to the people of this province. May he also find the time to be revitalized and refreshed by his relationships with family and friends. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Mike, who sought the position in 1969, and in those of his great-grandfather Henry Mabb, who was elected as the first MLA for Fisher constituency in 1920, Tom is proud to represent the Interlake as MLA.

Tom chairs the Legislative Review Committee of the NDP Caucus, the Standing Committee of Agriculture of the Legislative Assembly, and has also been the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. On November 3, 2009 he was appointed the Legislative Assistant to the Minister of Conservation as well as to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.

More About Tom 

• Married to Rozanne Imlah of Fisherton; they live on a small farm in Poplarfield in the heart of the Interlake 
• Operates a small family farm and is working toward establishing a sheep ranch and farm vacation operation 
• Has two children, Jade and Caitlin, and a granddaughter, Emma 

MLA: Bonnie Mitchelson - River East

Thank you Father for MLA Bonnie Mitchelson.  Father, I ask you to fill her with extra time in her day, to fulfill all her duties.  Grant her wisdom, love, joy, peace, and health.  Thank you Father.  Amen.

A registered nurse for more than 18 years, Bonnie Mitchelson was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature in 1986 to represent River East. In her time as an MLA, Bonnie has been responsible for a variety of ministerial roles, including, Culture, Heritage and Recreation, Lotteries, Multiculturalism and Citizenship, the Status of Women, Family Services, and Housing.


Bonnie was the first woman to lead the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in 2000, when she was selected as Interim Leader.


Bonnie has always worked to improve the quality of life for her constituents in River East, and help make the following community projects a reality:

• 

the expansion of the Calvin Christian School;

• the 40 bed addition and renovation of Donwood Manor Personal Care Home;

• the completion of twin arenas for Gateway Recreation Centre and the Gateway Soccerplex;

• the establishment of the Seniors Health and Wellness Resource Team;
the completion of the Northeast link of the Perimeter Highway (from Dugald Road to Lagimodiere Boulevard);

• the creation and development of the Congregate Meal Programs in seniors' apartment blacks;

• the expansion of Concordia Hospital;
• 
the construction of 120 beds at the River East Personal Care Home;

• the construction of 120 beds at the Kildonan Personal Care Home; 
• and the construction of 140 beds at the Concordia Place Personal Care Home.

• Bonnie has also been active with several non-profit organizations.



Bonnie and her husband Donald have a daughter, Michele (married to Paul Kisil) and a son Scott. They are also the proud grandparents of Lauren and Serah.

http://www.bonniemitchelson.ca/

MLA: Christine Melnick - Reil

Thank-you, Father for MLA Christine Melnick. I pray that she would be strengthened, encouraged and comforted by You. As she serves Manitoba may she experience Your peace and Your empowerment to accomplish all tasks set before her. Give her wisdom beyond measure and creative ideas as she works to promote women’s health and human rights. Strengthen bonds in her personal relationships and allow her times of rest and refreshing to rejuvenate her spirit. May she find favor with You and with those she serves.  In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Born in Winnipeg, Melnick received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba and subsequently received a master's degree in library and information science from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia. She has worked for a variety of businesses in the private and public sectors, with experience such fields as in education, advertising and offshore oil. Prior to entering provincial politics, she was employed as a librarian and researcher at the Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre, and was a School Trustee for the Louis Riel School Division of Winnipeg. She was also active in women's health, human rights, literacy and environmental issues, and sat on the province's Council on Post-Secondary Education.

Melnick was elected to the Manitoba legislature in 2003 in the south Winnipeg riding of Riel. Following the election, she was appointed Minister of Family Services and Housing, with responsibility for Persons With Disabilities.

Melnick was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election and again in 2011. In September 2007, she was appointed Minister of Water Stewardship. In January 2012, Melnick was appointed Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism.

http://todaysndp.ca/mla/Christine-Melnick

MLA: Shannon Martin - Morris

Father, we ask for your blessing and favor upon MLA Shannon Martin as he serves in the legislature.   We ask that you lead him and guide him with much wisdom and discernment.   We pray for protection and safety for Shannon and his family.   Bless his family with strength, health and endurance in Jesus Name – Amen.

Shannon tells us that his election broke 3 records: 1) longest vacancy in Manitoba history; 2) first election to cover two calendar years; and 3) coldest election in Manitoba history.

Prior to becoming the MLA for Morris, he was Executive Director at Reaching E-Quality Employment Services, a not-for-profit that helps persons with physical disabilities or health conditions find employment.

Prior to that he was Director of Provincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, an organization dedicated to giving voice to the small-and medium-sized businesses that make up the backbone of our economy. 

An outspoken commentator of provincial government long before his election, Shannon has written dozens of op-eds in the pages of the Winnipeg Free Press on such diverse topics as the payroll tax, government’s addiction to gambling revenues and debt and deficit.

As someone who grew up in rural Manitoba, Shannon has always appreciated the quality of life available and the importance of community engagement. Shannon resides in La Salle and has coached youth soccer as well as volunteering to sit as a Director-at-large on the La Salle Community Centre Board of Directors. He is an avid runner and is married with three young children. 

Shannon is the Critic for Conservation and Water Stewardship.