MLA: Buckley Belanger - Athabasca

We pray today for Buckley Belanger.  We thank you for the gifts and calling that you have placed upon his life to serve and lead in the political arena.  We ask that You would be with him today as he serves his constituents and the people of Saskatchewan as critic.  Grant him your wisdom, insight and understanding throughout this day. Amen 

Buckley Belanger was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in 1995 and re-elected in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

Today, Buckley is the NDP’s Deputy Whip, and serves as critic for Highways and Infrastructure, SaskEnergy, SaskWater, and the Water Security Agency. In the past, Buckley has served as minister in various portfolios including Northern Affairs, Environment, Community Resources, and Highways and Transportation.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Buckley served three terms as mayor of Ile-a-la Crosse from 1988 to 1994. He has also worked as a journalist with the aboriginal publication New Breed and a programmer, producer, and administrator with the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation in La Ronge.

He and his wife Beckie have three daughters, Michelle, Kellie, and Taylor. 

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

A Prayer For Our Nation

“I urge you first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them, intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way kings and all who are in authority…” 2 Tim 2:1-2

Father, I thank you for Canada and our new Prime Minister elect, Justin Trudeau. Lord, I pray that you would infuse him with humility, courage, honesty, and integrity. I lift up all our elected MP’s. I pray that they would call on you, seeking your grace and wisdom to fulfill their roles as our elected officials. I ask that you would protect the marriages and families of all 338 Members of Parliament.

I declare our prayers of blessing wield far more power than words of disappointment or complaint. We choose to respect and honour our leaders as your word clearly instructs us to do.

God keep our land glorious and free, from sea to sea to sea. AMEN.

MLA: Colleen Young - Lloydminister

Dear Lord. We pray today for Colleen Young. Thank you for her obedience of service to the people of Saskatchewan and her constituency. We pray that you would give her passion. Give her a desire to help people, a craving to find solutions, and a hunger for spiritual insight. May she become known as a woman who deeply cares for the people she serves. Give her a wonderful fall that is filled with colour and excitement. Amen.

Colleen was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in the November 13, 2014 by-election for the constituency of Lloydminster. She is a member of the legislature’s Standing Committee on Human Services.

Colleen was born and raised on a family farm east of Saskatoon and has called the Lloydminster riding home for the last 28 years. Colleen attended the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan beginning in 1979 and has been active in education ever since. Colleen has been a trustee of the Lloydminster Public School Division Board of Education for the past 20 years, has served as the Board Chair for 16 of those years and currently sits on the University of Saskatchewan Senate. Colleen is very active in the Lloydminster community. Her involvement with the Kiwanis Club, Learning Council, In Motion, Young Life, School Community Councils, and many other volunteer opportunities has always put kids, families, and newcomers to the community first.

Colleen and her husband, Kim, have 1 daughter, Nevada, and 7 sons: Casey, Chester, Riley, Fraser, Percy, Duke, and Ace, a wonderful daughter-in-law, Jessica, and two beautiful granddaughters; Pearl and Belle. She enjoys spending time with her family and close friends at the lake or whenever the opportunity arises.

MLA: Hon. Gordon Wyant - Saskatoon Northwest

Dear Lord. Thank you for the Honourable Gordon Wyant. We pray that you would bless Gordon with a great fall and opportunities to enjoy family and the outdoors. We also pray that you would give him epic spiritual moments that would be lifetime highlights. May he truly know you and the joy of your compassion and forgiveness. Amen    

Gordon Wyant was elected as the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest in an October 2010 by-election. He was then re-elected in the 2011 provincial election. After the 2011 election, Gordon was appointed Deputy House Leader and on May 25, 2012 Gordon was sworn in as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In June 2014 Gordon was also appointed as Minister Responsible for SaskBuilds.

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Gordon was the first Canadian-born member of his family. His parents, originally from Europe, came to Saskatoon in the 1950s when his father was retained as the first Head of the Department of Anaesthesia at the newly opened University Hospital.

He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in 1985, and graduated from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan in 1986. Shortly after convocation, Gordon began practicing law with the firm of McKercher LLP, where he practiced as a partner until his appointment as Attorney General. In 1987, Gordon received an award for highest standing in the 1987 Bar Admission course. He received his Queen's Counsel designation in 2009.

Since 2000, Gordon has also been an active public servant. He was elected as trustee for the Saskatoon Public School Board in 2000 and served as Chair for two years. He was elected city councillor for Ward 5 in 2003 and was re-elected in 2006 and 2009. 

Gordon and his wife Christine Hrudka have four children in their early twenties. In addition to his family, Gordon enjoys writing, skiing and motorcycling. He is also the proud recipient of the Sterling Writing Award for non-fiction, awarded in 1999.

http://gordonwyant.ca/

MLA: Trent Wotherspoon - Regina Rosemont

Dear Lord. We pray today for Trent Wotherspoon. We pray that you would give him a vision for the long term. Help him to see how his actions today have fruit decades from now. Make him the kind of man that brings life to the people around him. May he be the heart beat to his family, his friends, and to his professional team. Amen.

Trent was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011 for the constituency of Regina Rosemont. He is the Deputy Leader of the official opposition.

Trent serves as the opposition critic for Finance, Education, Municipal Relations, Urban Affairs, Economy, and the Global Transportation Hub. Trent also serves on a national committee of the CCAF, with an aim to strengthen governance and accountability.

Trent was born and raised in northwest Regina. He earned a Bachelor of Education at the U of R and has taken grad studies in education and undergrad studies in business.

Prior to politics, working with an interdisciplinary committee, Trent developed and managed within the community a nationally recognized program for youth offenders of highest-risk, that successfully increased educational attachment and reduced recidivism rates.

As an educator, Trent taught in high schools and led various new initiatives. Trent assisted in the creation of a new campus for adult students. Trent also led the development of a program for students displaying severe violent behaviours. Previously, Trent worked with a youth agency supporting at-risk youth. 

Trent has background in business as an entrepreneur, through business studies and as a past director with the Regina’s warehouse business improvement district.

Trent’s wife Stephanie is a teacher. Together, they are highly involved in the community through coaching and volunteerism, and by engaging in the many diverse cultural, arts and sporting events that enrich Regina and Saskatchewan. 

MLA: Hon. Nadine Wilson - Saskatchewan Rivers

Dear Lord. Thank you for The Honourable Nadine Wilson.  We ask you to give her favour. May other people be directly aware of her professional capacities and may she have the tenacity to keep her foot on the gas. Bless her with an enjoyable fall and rich family life. Amen.

Nadine was first elected as the MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers in the 2007 provincial election and was re-elected in 2011. In 2009, she was appointed Legislative Secretary to the Minister Responsible for Immigration – New Citizen initiative. She has served as a member of the caucus’ standing policy committee on the economy and the standing policy committee on human services, deputy caucus Chair, and Chair of the legislature’s Standing Committee on Private Bills. Ms. Wilson is presently the Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier.

Nadine studied social service work in Saskatoon, and she later became one of the first women to work as a corrections worker in the Men's Provincial Correctional Centre in Prince Albert. Her public service includes twice elected reeve of the rural municipality of Paddockwood before making the move to provincial service.

In addition to Nadine's legislative roles, she was named a BILLD Fellow in 2009 after completing the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development program at the University of Wisconsin and has served as a mentor for the Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program four times. Nadine is a graduate of the 2009 Pacific Northwest Economic Region Legislative Leadership Academy, and also serves as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Nadine and her husband Doug have been married for over 30 years. Fourth generation cattle ranchers, they live north of Prince Albert. They have raised four children, and are now the proud grandparents of seven lively grandchildren.