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Honourable Barry Penner

Barry Penner was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Chilliwack-Hope on May 12, 2009.

He was first elected to represent Chilliwack in 1996, and was re-elected in the new riding of Chilliwack-Kent in 2001 and 2005.

Minister Penner was first named Minister of Environment and Minister responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities on June 16, 2005, and is currently Canada’s longest serving Environment Minister.

Raised in Chilliwack, Minister Penner studied political science and economics at Simon Fraser University to earn his bachelor of arts degree. He later earned his law degree from the University of Victoria. A former park ranger and sawmill worker, Minister Penner also worked as a B.C. legislative intern in Victoria. In 1991, he worked for an international law firm in Bangkok, Thailand and then later practiced law in Chilliwack until his election in 1996.

He previously served as parliamentary secretary to the government house leader, as chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources, and was a member of the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Crown Corporations.

He has also chaired the Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, and served as a member of the Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Review.