MLA: Rob Norris - Saskatoon Greystone

Dear Lord. We pray for Rob Norris. We thank you for his work in the past, and pray that you would empower him to effectively lead into the future. Take his best ideas, blended with the wisdom of his advisors, and orchestrate circumstances so that the best ideas float to the surface and make it into legislation and policy. May he have spiritually inspired people speaking into his life and work in a way that activates his best year yet. Amen. 

Rob Norris was born in Edmonton, Alberta, raised in Red Deer, and completed post-secondary education in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. He moved to Saskatchewan in 1994.

From 1997 to 1999, he served as a Legislative Assistant within the Canadian House of Commons; his primary duties related to foreign policy. In February 1999, Rob started with University of Saskatchewan International. Between 2004 and 2007, Rob served as the co-ordinator of Global Relations at the U of S and was responsible for helping to shape and sustain strategic partnerships with public and private stakeholders.

Rob has an M.A. (Alberta, with courses completed in Saskatchewan) and a B.A. with distinction (Lethbridge) in political science. As a student at the U of S, he participated in Saskatchewan consultations regarding the Calgary Declaration. Rob has published several pieces in the popular press and academic journals.

Rob was first elected to the legislature for Saskatoon Greystone in the 2007 provincial election and was re-elected in 2011. Rob has served as Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Power Corporation, and Minister Responsible for Innovation, among other responsibilities. He served as Legislative Secretary for First Nations and Metis Engagement and Legislative Secretary for International Trade and Education.

Currently, Rob is the vice-chair of the Public Sector Bargaining committee and participates on the Cabinet committee on Children and Youth. He was recently the vice-chair of the Aboriginal Youth Task Force.

Rob is married to Dr. Martha Smith-Norris, a history professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Their daughter, Jacqueline, is in high school.

http://www.robnorris.org/

MLA: John Nilson - Regina Lakeview

Dear Lord. We pray today for John Nilson. We ask that he would find and build on his spiritual opportunities. May he be centred in his faith in a way that amplifies the best things within him. We pray that he would have an inspiring personality that ignites compassion in others when he enters the room. Amen.

John T. Nilson was born in Saskatoon and raised in western Canada. John obtained his education at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, University of Oslo, Norway, and St. Olaf College in Minnesota, prior to obtaining his law degree from the University of British Columbia in 1977. He was admitted to the Bar in British Columbia in 1978 and in Saskatchewan in 1979. He practiced law and mediation with MacPherson, Leslie & Tyerman from 1978 until he was elected as MLA for the Regina Lakeview Constituency in June, 1995 and re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

John was first appointed to cabinet as Minister of Justice and Attorney General in November, 1995 and has also served in several portfolios including Crown Investments Corporation, Health, and Environment. In 2007 he served as opposition critic for Intergovernmental Affairs and served as interim Leader of the Official Opposition from 2011 to March 9, 2013.

He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters, Ingrid and Solveig. They live in Regina Lakeview, near the Legislature, and farm north of Parkbeg.

http://www.ndpcaucus.sk.ca/nilson

MLA: Hon. Don Morgan - Saskatoon Southeast

Dear Lord. Thank you for the Honorable Don Morgan. Thank you for his attention to Saskatchewan challenges both in his years in opposition and now in his ministerial roles. We ask that you would grant him a supernatural capacity to get things done. May the people around him be constantly amazed at his strategic forethought and how well he leads. Bless his wife Sandy for the sacrifices she has made and bless their marriage with a growing intimacy and spiritual centre. Amen.


Don Morgan was born, raised and educated in Saskatoon. He graduated from the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, in 1978 and practiced law in Saskatoon from 1979 to 1988. Between 1988 and 1992 he was chairman and CEO of the Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission. He was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 1990. Don also served on the Saskatoon Public School Board from 1999 to 2003 including a term as board Chair. He practiced law in Saskatoon from 1992 until 2007.


Don was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in November 2003 representing the constituency of Saskatoon Southeast. He was re-elected in the 2007 and 2011 provincial elections. During his term in opposition, Don served as critic for Justice, deputy critic for First Nations and Métis Relations, Opposition Deputy House Leader, and sat on the legislature’s Standing Committee on Private Bills. After the 2007 election he served as Minister of Justice until the spring of 2012, and in 2010 the portfolio of Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety was added to his responsibilities.


In the cabinet shuffle of May 2012 Don retained his position of Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and also became Minister of Advanced Education.

In the cabinet shuffle of September 2013 Don relinquished his portfolio of Advanced Education, retained his position of Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety and added the position of Minister of Education.


Don and his wife, Sandy, are long-time residents in the Lakeridge area of Saskatoon.Agency.


donmorgan.ca

MLA: Hon. Scott Moe - Rosthern-Shellbrook

Dear Lord. We pray today for the Honorable Scott Moe. We pray that you will give him a keen sharp mind to quickly learn the ropes of his new ministerial role. Give him great staff and healthy relationships. We ask that the advanced education initiatives within the province would be successful at meeting the intentions they were designed for, and that you would guide him to make any necessary changes to take it even further. Bless him and his family with health and prosperity. Amen.

Ken was elected as MLA for the Canora-Pelly constituency in 1995. In 1997, he and seven other MLAs formed the Saskatchewan Party, and Ken served as the interim leader till 1998. From 1997 to 1999, he served as the Leader of the Opposition.


Since 1998, Ken has served as Deputy Leader of the Saskatchewan Party. After his re-election in 2007, Ken was appointed as Deputy Premier and served as Minister of Education. In June 2010, while remaining Deputy Premier, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance.


Ken has lived in the Canora-Pelly area for all of his life. In 1972, he started his eleven year teaching career in Invermay. In 1983, he became a business owner and operated an insurance brokerage for ten years.


Ken’s long history of serving his community began when he was first elected to the Canora School Division Board of Education in 1985 and he served as chairperson for nine years. In 1988, he was elected to the Executive of Saskatchewan School Trustees Association and served as president in 1991-92 and past president from 1993-94.


Ken and Gail have two children. Their son Bryce and his wife Olivia reside in Yorkton with grandchildren Willow and Scarlett. Their daughter Lindsay and her partner Barney reside in Calgary.


http://scott-moe.com

MLA: Warren Michelson - Moose Jaw North

Dear Lord. Thank you for Warren Michelson. We pray that you would give him razor sharp clarity on the priorities of work in front of him. Give him both with insight and wisdom, as well as the political capital necessary to affect positive opportunities for his constituents. Bless him and his family with a golden fall. Amen.

Warren Michelson was first elected to represent the constituency of Moose Jaw North in 2007, and re-elected in 2011.


He has served as Chair of the legislature’s Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice, a member of the legislature’s Standing Committee on the Economy, as well as Deputy Chair of the legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts.


In June 2014 he was appointed the Legislative Secretary to the Minister of the Economy in regards to manufacturing. His responsibilities include co-chairing the Saskatchewan Construction Panel made up of professional organizations and government representatives in support of a stable and healthy Saskatchewan construction industry.


Prior to being elected, Warren worked in the communication industry of television, radio, and newspaper in a variety of management positions in several Saskatchewan communities. Warren served on the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for 13 years, serving as provincial president in 2004-05. From 2000 to 2006, Warren held a seat on the Senate of the University of Regina.

MLA: Paul Merriman - Saskatoon Sutherland

Dear Lord. We thank you today for Mr. Paul Merriman. We pray today that you would give him a great fall season in the legislature. We ask that you would make him very effective both in his personal and professional life. Help him to prioritize and lead well, while keeping the needs of the underrepresented in mind. Bless him in his family life and give him opportunities to enrich his life spiritually. Amen.

Paul Merriman was first elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the 2011 provincial election for the Saskatoon Sutherland constituency.

Born and raised in Toronto, Paul moved to Saskatchewan with his family in 1988. His father, Ted Merriman, served as the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest for one term from 2003 to 2007. His father’s involvement in politics piqued his interest in politics.

Paul has lived and worked in Saskatoon since 1994. Recently, he was the executive director of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. During his tenure with the food bank, Paul has worked diligently to increase funding and decrease costs. Prior to his employment with the food bank, he was employed with SaskEnergy for eight years setting up a province-wide salvage operation of used material that generated corporate savings for the Crown Corporation in excess of $8 million. He has also operated two small businesses.

Paul and his wife, Leane Durand, a small business owner herself, have four children.

 

http://saskparty.com/index.php?pageid=MLAs&mla=Paul-Merriman

 

Greg Lawrence MLA - Moose Jaw Wakamow

Dear Lord. Thank you for Greg Lawrence. We ask you to empower his senses with a hyper sensitivity to political nonsense. Help him to see through smoke screens and distractions in order to keep his attention on the critical duties before him. May he be known as a person who keeps the important things important. Bless he and his family throughout the summer. Amen. 

Greg Lawrence was elected to the Saskatchewan Legislature in the 2011 provincial election for the Moose Jaw Wakamow constituency. Greg currently is a member of the legislature’s Standing Committee on Human Services and is currently serving as Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Social Services with specific responsibilities in foster and child care.

Greg was born in Bienfait, Saskatchewan and was raised in the Estevan area spending many years working in the oil industry. He moved his family to Moose Jaw in 2003 after spending an incredible weekend there as a tourist. It was there he began his employment with SaskTel. Prior to entering politics, he was a customer service technician with SaskTel as well as the vice-president for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 3, and also served as the union’s grievance coordinator.

Greg, who has been involved with politics since 2007, is particularly impressed by the government’s commitment to the Métis people of Saskatchewan.

He is the former President of the Southern Plains Métis Local 160, and former Deputy Commanding Officer of the #40 Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Moose Jaw. He spent many years volunteering at the YMCA teaching martial arts and also enjoyed coaching minor baseball.

Greg and his wife Marjorie have three sons and one foster son.

http://saskparty.com/index.php?pageid=MLAs&mla=Greg-Lawrence