Robert William Runciman

Robert Runciman was appointed to the Senate just a few days ago in Feb. 2010 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  He sits as a member of the Conservative Caucus and represents the Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes area of Ontario.  This is a region: Leeds – Grenville in Eastern Ontario which he represented in the provincial legislature since 1981, allowing him to have many senior cabinet positions under 3 premiers of Ontario. 

Before that Mr. Runciman was the mayor of Brockville, where he still lives, and at one time was a writer and then an owner of a local paper.  He is married to Jeanette.

Let us pray for Mr. Runciman that he will quickly adjust to the ways of the Upper Chamber and begin to use his experience and widsom in the Senate.  May he continually to represent his region well, and may he find good friends who will be a positive influence on him here in Ottawa.

William Rompkey

 

The Honourable William Rompkey was appointed to the Senate in 1995 by Prime Minister Jean Chretien to represent Newfoundland and Labrador.  He is a member of the Liberal Caucus having served 7 terms as an M.P in the lower chamber.  During those many years he held numerous Cabinet portfolios and senior party roles.

Currently Mr. Rompkey is Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Selection and a member of two Senate Standing Committees: Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, and Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament.

William Rompkey married in 1963 to Carolyn Cecily (Pike) and they have two children: Hilary Nanda, and Peter Jonathan.

Let’s pray for Mr. Rompkey that he will enjoy good health so that he can continue to be a blessing to his family and his colleagues in the Senate.  May the Lord use him as a man with long experience in the halls of Parliament to mentor young leaders and raise up an new generation with a new attitude toward serving the electorate.

Jean-Yves Roy

Jean-Yves Roy is the Member of Parliament for Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia, Québec.  He is a member of the Bloc Québécois, and this will be his 4th term in Parliament.

He is a member of the Government Operations and Estimates committee.

He studied at the University of Québec at Rimouski, where he attained a Science degree in Education and Theology.  He was involved in municipal politics before entering federal politics.  He was a city councilor for Pointe-au-Père in 1981.  He was elected as Mayor of Pointe-au-Père in 1982 and maintained that role until 1986.  He was involved with the Bloc Québécois from its inception in 1993 and has fulfilled various roles within the party.

Pray that his time in Parliament would be a time of joy in his life.  Pray that his many years of experience would be used by his party, and by the Government of  Canada.  Pray that he would continue to represent the voice of Québec in Parliament.  Pray that any stress or anxiety would be overcome by the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.

You can learn more about Jean-Yves Roy on the Bloc Québécois website.

Anthony Rota

Anthony Rota is the Member of Parliament for Nipissing—Timiskaming, Ontario.  He is a member of the Liberal party, and this will be his 3rd term in Parliament.

He is the Vice-Chair of the Industry, Science and Technology committee.  He is also the Chair of the National Liberal Caucus.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Masters degree in business administration.  Before entering politics he worked in various private sector ventures in finance, real estate, and retail.  He held a position at the National Research Council before running for election.

He is fluent in English, French, Italian and Spanish.  He and his wife Chantal Piché-Rota have one daughter, Samantha.

Pray that he would be strengthened, to walk with honor and integrity in all his actions.  Pray that he would continue as a strong voice for the concerns and issues of Northern Ontario.  Pray that he would be blessed as a politician, father and husband.

You can learn more about Anthony Rota on his official website.

Pablo Rodriguez

Pablo Rodriguez is the Member of Parliament for Honoré-Mercier, Québec.  He is a member of the Liberal Party, and this will be his 3rd term in Parliament.

He is the Vice-Chair of the Canadian Heritage committee, and a member of the Official Languages committee.

Before entering politics he worked for many years in public affairs and managing international projects.  He holds a degree from Sherbrooke University in business administration.  For four years he was the Vice-President of Oxfam-Québec, and has been an advocate for victims of poverty.

As we pray for him, let’s thank God for his strong voice in the area of poverty.  Pray that his time in Parliament will be used to bring greater justice to those experiencing poverty.  Pray that he will be a voice for Francophone Canadians within the Liberal party & Government of Canada.  Pray that his personal life would be blessed with times of rest & renewal.

You can learn more about Pablo Rodriguez on his official website.

Fernand Robichaud

The Honourable Fernand Robichaud was appointed in 1997 to represent New Brunswick in the Senate.  Mr. Robichaud is a member of the Liberal Caucus.  He previously had a long career in politics, having represented the riding of Westmorland-Kent and also Beauséjour at different times.  He served as Secretary of State for Agriculture and Agri-Food, Fisheries and Oceans and also Secretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Liberal Cabinet, and also for 3 years previous to that was the Special Assistant to the then Leader of the Official Opposition, the Honourable Jean Chrétien.

Mr. Robichaud sits on the Senate Committees for Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration and also Conflicts of Interest.

Mr. Robichaud is married to Ginette and they have four children; Danielle, Andrée, Jacques and Pierre.

Let’s pray for Senator Robichaud that he would have a strong marriage relationship and be a great father to his larger family.  May he be a man known for building relationships across party lines to benefit all the people of this nation. We pray that he would have a “Bridge-building” ability in the Senate.

Jean-Claude Rivest

 

Mr. Jean-Claude Rivest was appointed by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney as a Senator in 1993.  He represents the region of Stadacona in Quebec and he sits as an Independent.

Mr. Rivest had a long career as a political advisor, having earned a law degree at the University of Montreal and also a graduate degree in Constituitonal Law.  He was a member of the National Assembly in Quebec City from 1979-1985.

Let’s pray for Senator Rivest that he might use his long experience in the Senate to mentor and develop the new cohort of senators who have been arriving in the last 13 months.  May the Lord grant him the wisdom that comes from above and may he enjoy good health, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Michel Rivard

Mr. Michel Rivard was appointed to the Senate at the beginning of 2009 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and he represents the region of The Laurentides in Quebec.  Mr. Rivard sits as a member of the Conservative Caucus.

Michel Rivard had a long career in public administration, then became Mayor of Beauport from 1980 to 1984,  and after that in 1994 became an MNA in the Quebec Legislative Assembly representing the riding of Limoilou. 

Let’s pray for Senator Rivard, that as he has now served for a year, that he would be able to fully engage with his colleagues and make wise decisions that truly reflect sober second thought.  May the Lord grant him good health so that he might be a blessing to our nation as he serves on Parliament Hill. 

     The Laurentides

Gerry Ritz

The Honourable Gerry Ritz  is the Member of Parliament for Battlefords-Lloydminister, Saskatchewan.  He is a member of the Conservative party, and this will be his 5th term in Parliament.

He is the Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

He grew up on the family farm in Delisle, Saskatchewan.  After graduating from high school he held many different  positions including; sales, co-ownership of a community newspaper, general contracting as well as grain and ostrich farming.  He and his wife Judy have two children and three grandchildren.

As we pray for him, let’s pray at the same time for the farmers of Canada who are dealing with the current economic conditions.  Pray that this coming growing season would be prosperous and protected from drought.  For the Honourable Gerry Ritz, pray that he would be a voice and representative for farmers across Canada.  Pray that his family would be blessed.  Pray that he would be able to balance his family life with his political responsibilities.

You can learn more about the Honorable Gerry Ritz on his official website.

Greg Rickford

Greg Rickford is the Member of Parliament for Kenora, Ontario.  He is a member of the Conservative Party, and this will be his first term in Parliament.

He is a member of the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development committee and Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee.

His professional background includes work as a nurse, healthcare consultant, and lawyer.  As a nurse he worked extensively in Northern Ontario which included work in First Nation communities.  He attended Laval University in Quebec City where he earned his MBA.  He would further go on to study at McGill University and the University of Arizona to complete degrees in Common and Civil law.

He comes from a large family of 8 siblings.  Growing up, he and his family were involved in many community and church activities.  He is an avid fisherman and enjoys playing hockey, swimming and fitness training.

Pray that God would bless his time in Parliament.  A relative newcomer to politics, pray that he would quickly learn everything he needs to be effective.  Pray that other Parliamentarians would support him and provide wisdom and insight into the Parliamentary process.  Pray that his faith would continue to be a constant strength even in times of testing.  Pray that he would have time for rest and leisure.

You can learn more about Greg Rickford on his official website.