MLA: DOYLE PIWNIUK - ARTHUR-VIRDEN

Father we lift up Doyle Piwniuk to You and ask that You will be near him today in his riding of Arthur-Virden. Thank you for the people he serves. May he find creative strategies to implement positive change in Manitoba. We ask that You would provide his family and home with your blessing this summer Lord. Thank you for Your love and care for us, amen.  

Doyle attended school in Roblin, Manitoba and graduated in 1985, following which he went on to Red River College in Winnipeg and received a diploma in business accounting. After graduation, he was recruited by Investors Group to work in one the firm’s accounting department at the corporate headquarters in Winnipeg. Within two and half years he was promoted to Senior Pension Fund Accountant.

Doyle left his position at Investors Group in the fall of 1990 to travel abroad to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands.

Upon his return to Canada, he started a new career in the insurance and financial planning industry in Winnipeg. In 1994, he moved to Virden, Manitoba to become a business partner at a local insurance agency. That same year he married his wife, Michelle and they settled in Virden.

In 1996, Doyle attained his Certified Financial Planning (CFP) designation, the first of several designations he would acquire, including the Canadian Initiative for Elder Planning Studies, Elder Planning Counselor (EPC) and the Insurance industry of Canada Branch Manager designation.

In 2000, Doyle and Michelle welcomed their first child, Aidan into their family. A mere seventeen months later, their daughter Jillian was born (2002).

Over the years, Doyle has been active in both the community and the Arthur Virden region, from serving as chairman of the Virden Employment Skills Centre; member and Treasurer of the Virden Kinsmen Club, President - Virden Wallace Economic

Development Corporation; member of the Wallace District Fire Department; Treasurer-Virden Kin Place Life Lease project Building Committee; Treasurer -St. Mary's Anglican Church new Hall project, as well as coaching minor ball.

Doyle has proven to be a successful business man and has developed strong business acumen in the private sector. He has been a supporter of the PC party of Manitoba since 1994. Doyle is the PC Candidate seeking the MLA for Virden-Arthur so that he can apply his solid business principles that have contributed to his success, in the public domain, in order to give back to the community that has supported him over the past 20 years.

http://www.doylepiwniuk.com/

MLA: BRIAN PALLISTER - FORT WHYTE * MANITOBA PC CRITIC FOR FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL RELATIONS, FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS, AND SKILLS STRATEGY

God, thank you for Your amazing presence and heart for the province of Manitoba. Thank you for people like Brian Pallister who give of their time and energy to see this province succeed and grow in richness of resources. As he serves the people of Fort Whyte, may his constituents see his caring and compassionate heart. We pray that he will be given strength and stamina to work through the long days that are required of an MLA. Bless those close to Brian and thank you for the sacrifice they make when he needs to be away from home. Keep them safe and secure in Jesus' name we ask. Thank you Lord, amen.

Brian and his wife Esther live in southwest Winnipeg with their two daughters. Brian became Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba in July 2012 and in September of that year, he was elected to represent the constituency of Fort Whyte.

Entering politics in 1992 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba, Brian served as a cabinet minister in the Government of Gary Filmon until 1997.

In 1997, he moved to federal politics and was re-elected three times. He was appointed as chair of the House of Commons Finance Committee in 2005, and in 2007 was appointed parliamentary secretary to the Ministers of International Trade and International Cooperation.

While in public office, Brian championed legislation to protect the rights of women on First Nation reserves, public safety initiatives and tough legislation to protect taxpayers against government overspending and overtaxing.

In 2008, after several terms as a provincial MLA, Cabinet Minister and federal Member of Parliament, Brian took a pause from elected office to focus on his family, business and community interests. Today, he is eager to work hard as Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and to meet with and engage Manitobans in building a stronger Manitoba.

http://www.brianpallister.com/

MLA: BONNIE MITCHELSON - RIVER EAST * MANITOBA PC CRITIC FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Lord we thank you for MLA Bonnie Mitchelson and her gifts and talents needed to serve our province. Thank you that she is ready and willing to use these gifts and skills in her daily business in her office. Bless Bonnie and her family this summer as they have times of relaxation together and protect them, we ask in Your precious Name, 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: TED MARCELINO - TYNDALL PARK

Father we are grateful for our leaders in Manitoba. Today we lift up MLA Ted Marcelino to you as he serves the people of Tyndall Park, MB. May he have strength and wisdom to carry out the tasks set before him. May he also have times of rest throughout the summer months Lord. Please bless his family and keep them safe this summer we pray, Amen.

“Like many immigrants, I came to Manitoba to secure a better future for my family. Manitoba’s high standard of living, strong economy and its diverse, ethnic community are accomplishments which we are proud of and must protect for future generations.”

Ted was elected as the member of the legislative assembly for Tyndall Park on Oct. 4, 2011. Ted has a long history of community service in Winnipeg. He has volunteered his time as a commissioner for oaths and has also assisted families with Manitoba provincial nominee program applications.


Ted studied law at the University of the Philippines and worked as an attorney before immigrating to Canada. Ted has worked as an employee with the federal government for the past 10 years. Ted and his wife of 39 years are active members of St. Edwards Church and both serve as presenters in marriage-preparation classes.

More About Ted

• Practiced law in Manila, Philippines, as a municipal and litigation attorney;
• Immigrated with his wife and three children to Canada in 1980;
• Volunteers as counsel at the Immigration and Refugee Board, and
• Panel member of the Residential Tenancies Commission of Manitoba.

http://todaysndp.ca/mla/ted-marcelino

CLARENCE PETTERSEN MLA - FLIN FLON

Dear Jesus, we are privileged to bring Clarence Pettersen before You today. You love him so much and we pray he will sense Your care and protection today in whatever he does. As he serves the area of Flin Flon, grant him favour in his interactions with people. May he know he has been placed in this position for a great purpose to make his province a richer and better place. Bless MLA Pettersen and his family, we pray in Your precious name, amen.

“I’m passionate about the issues that are important to Flin Flon and I have a vision for the area. If we work together, the best years are ahead of us.”

Clarence was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Flin Flon on Oct. 4, 2011.

Clarence has deep roots in the Flin Flon constituency, and believes deeply in the potential of his community. He considers it a privilege to have grown up in the town of Flin Flon and to have taught school in the community for more than 30 years.

Clarence also understands the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. He and his wife created a successful small business, selling the BabyTrekker baby carrier to families around the world for over 20 years.

Clarence is passionate about Flin Flon’s potential and is determined to help build a prosperous and vibrant future for the community. He believes that Flin Flon, Snow Lake, Cranberry Portage and surrounding areas are ‘jewels of the North’. He is eager to help create more opportunities for young people and families to keep Flin Flon moving forward.

More About Clarence

• Earned a degree in education and history at Brandon University;
• Co-founder of the Flin Flon-Creighton greening project, an initiative that has helped to reclaim lands affected by industrial pollution, and
• Married to Judy. They have three daughters; Hilary, Michelle and Mari-Anne, and a granddaughter, Claire.

http://www.yourmanitoba.ca/caucus2010/mla?constituency=Flin%20Flon

THERESA OSWALD MLA - SEINE RIVER

God, we take a few minutes of our day to lift up MLA Theresa Oswald in prayer. Thank You for her willing heart to serve Manitoba and the people of Seine River. Give her renewed vision for this area to most effectively meet the needs of her constituents. Bless Theresa today with your Love, peace and Joy we pray. Amen.

"Our sense of community is our strength – I’m proud to do my part in bringing people together to move our community forward and make life better for families."

• 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

CHRISTINE MELNICK MLA - RIEL

God we bring MLA Christine Melnick before Your throne today. Thank You for her service to the people of Riel, MB and the long hours she sacrifices for her province. May You bless her today and through this summer season in everything she does. May Your face shine on her and be gracious to her this year. Thank You for your kindness and love, 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