Barry Penner

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Barry Penner
KC
Attorney General of British Columbia
In office
December 1, 2010 – August 18, 2011
PremierGordon Campbell
Christy Clark
Preceded byMichael de Jong
Succeeded byShirley Bond
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia
In office
October 25, 2010 – March 14, 2011
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byGeorge Abbott
Succeeded byMary Polak
Minister Responsible for Climate Action of British Columbia
In office
January 19, 2009 – June 10, 2009
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJohn Yap (Minister of State for Climate Action)
Minister of Environment of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – October 25, 2010
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byBill Barisoff
Succeeded byMurray Coell
Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities of British Columbia
In office
June 16, 2005 – June 23, 2008
PremierGordon Campbell
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Chilliwack-Hope
Chilliwack-Kent (2001-2009)
Chilliwack (1996-2001)
In office
May 28, 1996 – January 9, 2012
Preceded byBob Chisholm
Succeeded byGwen O'Mahony
Personal details
Born (1966-01-09) January 9, 1966 (age 58)
Kitimat, British Columbia[1][2]
Political partyBC Liberal
Alma materFraser Valley College
Simon Fraser University
University of Victoria
Professionlawyer

Barry Penner, KC (born January 9, 1966) is a Canadian lawyer and former politician in the province of British Columbia. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA), representing the riding of Chilliwack from 1996 to 2001, Chilliwack-Kent from 2001 to 2009, and Chilliwack-Hope from 2009 to 2012. A caucus member of the British Columbia Liberal Party, he served in several cabinet posts under premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark, including as Minister of Environment, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Attorney General.

Early life and career[edit]

Born in Kitimat, British Columbia in 1966, Penner grew up in Chilliwack in the eastern Fraser Valley, and spent his summers working as a park ranger and at a local sawmill.[3] He attended the Fraser Valley College (now University of the Fraser Valley) for two years, graduating with a diploma in 1986; he was named one of the school's "Top 40" alumni in 2014.[4][5]

He received a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby in 1989,[2] and was selected for that year's British Columbia Legislative Internship Program.[3] While studying law at the University of Victoria, Penner was one of the early participants in the school's Law Co-operative Education program and worked for a law firm in Bangkok, Thailand in 1991.[6] He graduated with a law degree in 1992,[2] and went on to practise in Chilliwack.[3]

Politics[edit]

Penner won the BC Liberal nomination to contest the riding of Chilliwack in the 1996 provincial election, over the incumbent Bob Chisholm.[7] Penner was elected the riding's MLA, and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005 in the riding of Chilliwack-Kent[3][8] with some of the highest margins of victory in the province. He was re-elected in the 2009 provincial election to represent the reconfigured Chilliwack-Hope constituency (which includes Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs and the Fraser Canyon) with more than 53% of votes cast.[9]

As an elected representative, Penner was an early advocate for expanding the use of Canada's DNA database to help identify, catch and convict violent criminals, and solve cases involving missing persons.[10] He also introduced a motion in the legislature calling on the provincial government to establish an Amber alert system in BC to assist police in safely returning abducted children to their parents.[11] The motion passed in 2003, and the Amber alert system became operational in 2004.[12]

Penner became known as an advocate for small-hydro, wind power and other alternative energy sources after helping lead unprecedented community opposition in the Fraser Valley to the proposed Sumas Energy 2 power project.[13]

He led protests against the New Democratic Party Government's decision in 1997 to close the Chilliwack Courthouse.[14] Ultimately, the decision was reversed and a new Courthouse was constructed with the support of the City of Chilliwack.[15][16]

Penner also launched a successful effort to raise awareness of a World War I hero, James Richardson, VC who is the only resident of Chilliwack to have been awarded the Victoria Cross. This culminated in a community effort to build a statue of the young piper on the grounds of Chilliwack's former City Hall.[17]

Responding to a need for increased road safety, Penner approached the Minister of Transportation to address growing concerns about collisions on Highway 9 near Rosedale. This resulted in the first modern roundabout on a BC highway, reducing accidents and injuries.[18][16] Penner also worked with the Minister of Transportation to have the first cable barrier on a major highway in British Columbia installed in the constituency he represented.[19][16]

He was appointed by Premier Gordon Campbell to represent BC at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region in June 2001, and served as the organization's president from 2002 to 2003.[3] He also chaired the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources, and was a member of the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations.[3] He was named parliamentary secretary to government house leader Gary Collins in February 2004, and in that capacity also served as deputy house leader.[20]

Following his re-election in 2005, he was named to the cabinet as Minister of Environment.[21] In June 2007, Penner announced he would continue working as a Minister while receiving treatment for leiomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer.[22] He also served as Minister responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities from 2005 to 2008, and Minister Responsible for Climate Action from January to June 2009.[21]

He stayed on as environment minister after winning re-election in 2009, until being named Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in October 2010.[21] He additionally assumed the duties of Attorney General in December 2010 to replace Mike de Jong, who resigned the post to contest the Liberal Party leadership.[21][23] Penner remained as Attorney General after Christy Clark was sworn in as premier in March 2011, but was replaced in the aboriginal portfolio by Mary Polak.[24]

During his time in provincial politics, Penner was recognized by Vancouver Magazine as one of the 50 most influential people in British Columbia.[25]

Post politics[edit]

On August 18, 2011, Penner stepped down as attorney general after deciding against running for another term as MLA, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. He remained as the MLA for Chilliwack-Hope and said he intended to remain as such until the next election.[26][27] On November 24, 2011, he announced that he would resign in early 2012 as he had accepted a position with the law firm of Davis LLP,[16] where he would work on environmental, energy and First Nations issues. He officially resigned his legislative seat on January 9, 2012.[28]

In 2015, he established a legal and public public affairs practice known as Penner Pacific Advisory Services. Penner was appointed by the BC Liberal provincial government as chair of the board of directors of Insurance Corporation of British Columbia as of March 31, 2016.[29] He served in that position until July 19, 2017, when the BC Liberals were replaced by an NDP administration.[30] In November 2017 he became the managing director of British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre.[31]

Penner is currently chair of an inquiry committee of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia[32] and is a past member of their board of directors, serving from 2015 to 2021. He is past arbiter for the New West Partnership Trade Agreement between British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

In 2021, Penner was recognized as one of the top 500 most influential business leaders in British Columbia by Business in Vancouver magazine.[33]

Personal life[edit]

He and his wife Daris have two daughters, Fintry, named after a provincial park on Okanagan Lake and Atlin, named after Atlin Provincial Park in northern British Columbia and that includes Atlin Lake, the largest natural lake in the province.[34]

In May 2014, Penner moved to Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) with his family to work for a law firm assisting with inbound investment, particularly in telecommunications and energy.[35] However, he returned with his family to British Columbia for the birth of his second child.[36]

Election results[edit]

2009 British Columbia general election: Chilliwack-Hope
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Liberal Barry Penner 8,985 53.28 $67,073
New Democratic Gwen O'Mahony 5,638 33.43 $18,541
Conservative Hans Mulder 1,198 7.10 $250
Green Guy Durnin 951 5.64 $350
People's Front Dorothy-Jean O'Donnell 93 0.55 $260
Total valid votes 16,865
Total rejected ballots 95 0.56
Turnout 16,960 51.85
"Chilliwack-Hope B.C. Votes". CBC.ca. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
2005 British Columbia general election: Chilliwack-Kent
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
Liberal Barry Penner 11,368 57.14 $77,840
New Democratic Malcolm James 6,534 32.84 $16,280
Green Hans Mulder 1,651 8.30 $1,742
Moderates David Michael Anderson 240 1.21 $120
Youth Coalition Colin Wormworth 103 0.52 $100
Total valid votes 19,896 100
Total rejected ballots 118 0.59
Turnout 20,014 58.71
B.C. General Election 2001: Chilliwack-Kent
Party Candidate Votes % ± Expenditures
Liberal Barry Penner 13,814 74.88% $40,938
  NDP Malcolm James 2,155 11.68% $3,979
Green Larry Commodore 1,511 8.19% – $890
Marijuana David Ferguson 968 5.25% $1,496
Total valid votes 18,448 100.00%
Total rejected ballots 94 0.51%
Turnout 18,542 71.63%
36th British Columbia election, 1996 - Chilliwack (electoral district)
Party Candidate Votes % ± Expenditures
  No Affiliation Bob Chisholm 5,736 23.44% unknown
New Democratic Keith Rollie 5,989 24.88% unknown
Green Steve Kisby 232 0.95% – unknown
Liberal Barry Penner 9,273 37.90% unknown
Reform Bill Wimpney 3,237 13.23% unknown
Total valid votes 24,467 100.00%
Total rejected ballots 107
Turnout %

References[edit]

  1. ^ The Canadian Parliamentary Guide. P. G. Normandin. 1999. ISBN 9780787635602.
  2. ^ a b c "Penner, Barry, B.A., LL.B. (Chilliwack-Kent)". Canadian Parliamentary Guide. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "MLA: Barry Penner, Q.C." Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "UFV names top 40 alumni - Abbotsford News". Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  5. ^ Russell, Anne (July 30, 2015). "UFV Top 40 Alumni: Barry Penner — Youthful politician rose to provincial cabinet posts". Blogs.ufv.ca.
  6. ^ "Vistas" (PDF). Uvic.ca. 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Tenove, Chris (March 11, 2004). "The Lonely Life of the Independent MLA". The Tyee. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "About Your MLA - Barry Penner". barrypenner.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  9. ^ "2009 Final Count Election Night Results for Chilliwack-Hope". Elections BC. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  10. ^ "Hubert Beyer". beyer.ca.
  11. ^ "3rd Session, 37th Parliament: Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard): Monday, October 21, 2002: Morning Sitting: Volume 9, Number 1" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 30, 2004. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "B.C. launches Amber Alert". CBC News. May 25, 2004. Archived from the original on August 20, 2004.
  13. ^ "SE2 Throws in the Towel ... for now". Archived from the original on February 7, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Barry Penner-Courthouse Protest". March 26, 2002. Archived from the original on March 26, 2002. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "Barry Penner News -". December 9, 2003. Archived from the original on December 9, 2003. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c d Feinberg, Jennifer (November 24, 2011). "UPDATE: Penner resigns to join law firm". The Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "Piper Richardson". January 16, 2006. Archived from the original on January 16, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "Safety Improvements Going Ahead on Highway 9". February 9, 2006. Archived from the original on February 9, 2006. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  19. ^ "CABLE BARRIER IMPROVES HIGHWAY SAFETY". Ministry of Transportation of British Columbia. March 27, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "Penner appointed parliamentary secretary". Office of the Premier of British Columbia. February 5, 2004. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d "Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  22. ^ "B.C. cabinet minister battling cancer". CBC News. June 11, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  23. ^ "Mike de Jong joins BC Liberal leadership race". CTV News. December 1, 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Christy Clark Cabinet 2011-2017" (PDF). Legislative Library of British Columbia. January 24, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  25. ^ "The Vancouver Power 50 2010 | Vancouver Magazine". Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  26. ^ Kines, Lindsay (August 19, 2011). "Attorney general cites family reasons, to stay on as MLA until next vote". Times Colonist. pp. A1.
  27. ^ "Barry Penner steps down as B.C.'s attorney general". CBC News. August 18, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "Penner resignation opens door for new candidates | Vancouver Sun". Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  29. ^ Fletcher, Tom. "Ex-cabinet minister named ICBC chair". Cowichan Valley Citizen. Black Press. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016.
  30. ^ "Order-in-Council No. 227-2017". Bclaws.ca. July 19, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  31. ^ "For the record, November 21, 2017". Business in Vancouver. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  32. ^ "Committees | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC". Cpsbc.ca. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  33. ^ "Non-Profit Foundations and Organizations". Bc500.biv.com. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  34. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. ^ "Former MLA Barry Penner moving to Myanmar". Theprogress.com. May 30, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  36. ^ "Barry Penner". Facebook.com.

External links[edit]

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