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.

Lee Richardson

Lee Richardson is the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, Alberta.  He is a member of the Conservative Party, and this will be his 4th term in Parliament.

He is the Chair of the International Trade committee.

Before entering the federal legislature he was involved in politics as a civil servant.  He was the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Prime Ministers office, and also acted as an advisor to the PM on Western affairs.   From 1979 to 1983 he was the Chief of Staff for Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.  He served as the director of the 1988 Olympics.  He was first elected to Parliament in 1988, was defeated in 1993, but went on to win the next three elections.

He is a widower with three children.

As we pray for him, let’s pray that he continues to prosper in all that he does.  Pray that he would be a man who seeks wisdom, especially as he chairs the International Trade committee.  Pray that he would continue to be a voice for the West in Ottawa.  Pray that he would be blessed with many friends,  and would have time to spend with his family.  Pray that his many years of experience would be utilized by the Government.

You can learn more about Lee Richardson on his official website.

Pierrette Ringuette

Ms. Pierrette Ringuette was appointed to the Senate by P.M. Chretien in 2002 and represents New Brunswick.  She is a member of the Liberal Caucus.

Ms. Ringuette has been a forerunner in her life.  She was the first female Francophone to be elected in the provincial assembly of New Brunswick, serving in crucial roles over that career.  She then was the first female Francophone from N.B. elected to the Federal Government serving the constituency of Madawaska-South.  During her time as an M.P. she was very involved in officiallanguage issues and was a key developer of policy within the Liberal Party.

Ms. Ringuette was born in 1955 and has one daughter.

Let us thank God for this industrious and capable woman who has devoted herself to public service.  May the Lord give her wisdom to serve well along with colleagues of all party backgrounds and may she leave a lasting legacy for good in our Senate.

You can learn more about Ms. Pierrette Ringuette on her personal website.

Blake Richards

Blake Richards is the Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, Alberta.  He is a member of the Conservative party, and this is his first term in Parliament.

He is a member of the Agriculture and Agri-Food committee, Public Safety and National Security committee, and the Library of Parliament committee.

He grew up in Wildrose, Alberta on the family farm.  He worked in the agriculture and the oil industries before attending the University of Calgary where he received a degree in Political Science.  He spent 7 years working as a constituency assistant for MP Myron Thompson.  After that experience he built up a real estate business before deciding to enter federal politics.

He and his wife Tara have one son, Quinn.

Pray that his family would be blessed during his time in Parliament.  Pray that he would be able to balance his role as MP, Husband and Father.  Pray for wisdom as he brings his experience to the Agriculture committee.  Pray that he would be able to represent the voice of farmers in the west.

You can learn more about Blake Richards on his official website.

Nancy Greene Raine

Ms. Nancy Greene Raine was appointed as a Senator by P.M. Stephen Harper at the beginning of 2009.  She represents the region of Thompson-Okanagan-Kootenay in B.C.  and is a member of the Conservative Caucus.  Ms Raine is well known as a record-winning Canadian Ski Champion, a member of the Sports Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.

She was very involved with the establishment of the Whistler-Blackcomb Resort where the winter Olympics are being held, then in creating the Sun Peaks resort near Kamloops, and recently has held the position of Chancellor at the Thompson Rivers University since 2005.

Nancy is married to Al Raine with whom she has partnered on her many life achievements.

Let’s pray for Ms. Green Raine as she is acting as an ambassador at large for the 2010 Olympics, and must be working overtime in the next 4 or 5 weeks.  May she maintain her health and strength and be led to be in the right place at the right time.  Let’s pray for blessing on her marriage and on her influence for good in our nation with her standing now as as Senator.

You can learn more about Ms. Nancy Greene Raine at her official website.

Scott Reid

Scott Reid is the Member of Parliament for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, Ontario.  He is a member of the Conservative Party, and this will be his 4th term in Parliament.

He has been the Deputy House Leader of the Government since 2006.  He is the Chair of two subcommittee’s; the Subcommittee on Gifts under the Conflict of Interest Code for Members of the House of Commons (SCOD), and the Subcommittee on International Human Rights (SDIR).

Before entering politics he had an extensive career as journalist, author and scholar.  He has authored two books; Lament for a Notion and Canada Remapped. He is often called upon for his expertise on democracy and the Canadian constitution.  Every year he contributes the $20 000 pay raise that MP’s received in 2001 to buy defibrillators for schools and arenas.

Pray that he would continue to be a light on Parliament Hill.  Pray that his generosity would be an example to others.  Pray that he would have wisdom as he deals with issues of International Human Rights.  Pray that God would increase in him a heart for people facing injustice.  Pray that he would use his voice and influence to be an advocate for the underprivileged and underrepresented.  Pray that his personal life would be blessed and that he would experience God on an intimate heart to heart level.

You can learn more about Scott Reid on his official website.

Geoff Regan

The Honourable Geoff Regan is the Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Nova Scotia.  He is a member of the Liberal Party, and this will be his 5th term in Parliament.

He was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of  Commons between 2001 and 2003.  In 2003 he became the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, a position he held until 2006.  Currently he is a member of the Natural Resources committee.

Before entering Federal politics he was a lawyer with the Nova Scotia Barristers Society.  He attained a BA from St. Francis Xavier University and his degree in law from Dalhousie University.  He and his wife Kelly have three children, Caitlin, Nicole and Harrison.

One of the  greatest challenges faced by Parliamentarians is the separation from their families.  Pray that his marriage and family would be blessed during this time.  Pray that he would have many opportunities to spend time with his children.  Pray that he would be refreshed in this, his 5th, term.

You can learn more about the Honorable Geoff Regan on his official website.

Brent Rathgeber

Brent Rathgeber is the Member of Parliament for Edmonton – St. Albert, Alberta.  He is a member of the Conservative Party, and this is his 1st term in Parliament.

He is a member of the Justice and Human Rights committee, and a member of the Public Safety and National Security committee.

He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts in public administration and a Bachelor of Law degree.  He practiced law until 2001, when he successfully ran for the Alberta Legislative Assembly.  Between 2004 and 2008 he again practiced law, before running for the federal legislature in 2008.

During his years in law he advocated for victims rights.  Pray that this heart for justice would continue on Parliament hill.  Pray that he would be a man who stands for those under-represented and oppressed within our society.  Pray that he would find time to spend with family and friends.  Pray for safe travel as he travels from his riding to Ottawa.

You can learn more about Brent Rathgeber on his official website.

Yasmin Ratansi

Yasmin Ratasni is the Member of Parliament for Don Valley East, Ontario.  She is a member of the Liberal Party, and this will be her 3rd term in Parliament.

She is the Chair of the Government Operations and Estimates committee.

Before entering politics she was a Certified General Accountant, and worked in many consulting and leadership positions.  She has also been a guest speaker at many high school speaking on career planning.  She is a 1st generation Canadian, having immigrated to Canada from Tanzania.

Pray that she would be a voice for new Canadians on Parliament hill.  Pray that she would be courageous in standing for equality and justice for all Canadians.  Pray, as a Muslim woman, that she would be an advocate for the rights of Muslim women in Canada.  Pray that her personal life would be blessed with time for rest.

You can learn more about Yasmin Ratansi on her official website.

James Rajotte

James Rajotte is the Member of Parliament for Edmonton – Leduc, Alberta.  He is a member of the Conservative Party, and this will be his 4th term in Parliament.

He currently is the Chair of the Finance committee.

During the 39th Parliament he introduced Bill c-299, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identification information obtained by fraud or false pretense). The bill which passed in both houses helped to prevent the theft of personal info for fraudulent gain.

He graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A, and also received a bachelor of social sciences from the University of Ottawa.

As Chair of the Finance committee he holds a very important position, especially as the Government copes with the recession.  Pray that he would govern the committee with equality.  Pray that he would have wisdom as the committee discusses financial issues.  Pray that he would be a man of honour and integrity on Parliament hill and off Parliament Hill. Pray that he would find rest in the midst of a busy schedule.

You can learn more about James Rajotte on his official website.