{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Barry Penner | honorific_suffix = KC | image = Photo of Barry Penner.jpeg | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1966|1|9}} | birth_place = Kitimat, British Columbia<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q_iIAAAAMAAJ&q=%22PENNER,+BARRY,+B.A.,+LL.B.+(Chilliwack)+N%C3%A9+le+9******%22|title = The Canadian Parliamentary Guide|year = 1999| publisher=P. G. Normandin |isbn = 9780787635602}}</ref><ref name="CPG">{{Cite web |title=Penner, Barry, B.A., LL.B. (Chilliwack-Kent) |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/penner-barry-ba-llb-chilliwack-kent |publisher=Canadian Parliamentary Guide |accessdate=2024-05-15}}</ref> | office = Attorney General of British Columbia | premier = Gordon Campbell<br>Christy Clark | term_start = December 1, 2010 | term_end = August 18, 2011 | predecessor = Michael de Jong | successor = Shirley Bond | office1 = Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation of British Columbia | premier1 = Gordon Campbell | term_start1 = October 25, 2010 | term_end1 = March 14, 2011 | predecessor1 = George Abbott | successor1 = Mary Polak | office2 = Minister Responsible for Climate Action of British Columbia | premier2 = Gordon Campbell | term_start2 = January 19, 2009 | term_end2 = June 10, 2009 | predecessor2 = ''Position established'' | successor2 = John Yap (Minister of State for Climate Action) | office3 = Minister of Environment of British Columbia | premier3 = Gordon Campbell | term_start3 = June 16, 2005 | term_end3 = October 25, 2010 | predecessor3 = Bill Barisoff | successor3 = Murray Coell | office4 = Minister Responsible for Water Stewardship and Sustainable Communities of British Columbia | premier4 = Gordon Campbell | term_start4 = June 16, 2005 | term_end4 = June 23, 2008 | predecessor4 = ''Position established'' | successor4 = ''Position abolished'' | assembly5 = British Columbia Legislative | constituency_AM5 = Chilliwack-Hope<br /><small>Chilliwack-Kent (2001-2009)<br />Chilliwack (1996-2001)</small> | term_start5 = May 28, 1996 | term_end5 = January 9, 2012 | predecessor5 = Bob Chisholm | successor5 = Gwen O'Mahony | party = BC Liberal | alma_mater = Fraser Valley College<br>Simon Fraser University<br>University of Victoria | profession = lawyer }}
'''Barry Penner''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|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 == 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.<ref name="BCLeg">{{Cite web |url=https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2Fmla%2F39thparl%2Fpennerb.htm |title=MLA: Barry Penner, Q.C. |website=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia |accessdate=2024-05-15 |archive-date=August 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820154630/https://www.leg.bc.ca/pages/bclass-legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Flegacy%2Fweb%2Fmla%2F39thparl%2Fpennerb.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abbynews.com/news/280664032.html |title=UFV names top 40 alumni - Abbotsford News |access-date=2015-02-10 |archive-date=2015-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214100820/http://www.abbynews.com/news/280664032.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.ufv.ca/blog/2015/07/ufv-top-40-alumni-barry-penner-youthful-politician-rose-to-provincial-cabinet-posts/|title=UFV Top 40 Alumni: Barry Penner — Youthful politician rose to provincial cabinet posts |website=Blogs.ufv.ca|first=Anne|last=Russell|date=30 July 2015 }}</ref>
He received a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby in 1989,<ref name="CPG"/> and was selected for that year's British Columbia Legislative Internship Program.<ref name="BCLeg"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uvic.ca/law/assets/docs/alumanddevdocs/vistaswinter2012.pdf|title=Vistas|date=2012|website=Uvic.ca|access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref> He graduated with a law degree in 1992,<ref name="CPG"/> and went on to practise in Chilliwack.<ref name="BCLeg"/>
== Politics == Penner won the BC Liberal nomination to contest the riding of Chilliwack in the 1996 provincial election, over the incumbent Bob Chisholm.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lonely Life of the Independent MLA |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2004/03/11/The_Lonely_Life_of_the_Independent_MLA/ |publisher=The Tyee |first=Chris |last=Tenove |date=2004-03-11 |accessdate=2024-05-15}}</ref> Penner was elected the riding's MLA, and was re-elected in 2001 and 2005 in the riding of Chilliwack-Kent<ref name="BCLeg"/><ref>{{cite web| title= About Your MLA - Barry Penner| publisher= barrypenner.com| url= http://www.barrypenner.com/index.php?id=6| access-date= 2009-10-16| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091017093244/http://www.barrypenner.com/index.php?id=6| archive-date= 2009-10-17|url-status = dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title = 2009 Final Count Election Night Results for Chilliwack-Hope |publisher = Elections BC |url = http://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/stats/2009-ge-ref/fc/ed/GE-2009-05-12_Chilliwack-Hope.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090531224810/http://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/stats/2009-ge-ref/fc/ed/GE-2009-05-12_Chilliwack-Hope.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2009-05-31 |access-date = 2009-10-16 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beyer.ca/component/content/article/3-1997/120-mla-wants-nationwide-dna-databank|title=Hubert Beyer|website=beyer.ca|access-date=February 28, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141751/http://beyer.ca/component/content/article/3-1997/120-mla-wants-nationwide-dna-databank|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/37th3rd/H1021am-01.pdf |title=3rd Session, 37th Parliament: Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard): Monday, October 21, 2002: Morning Sitting: Volume 9, Number 1 |publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia |access-date=2015-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041130174357/http://www.leg.bc.ca/Hansard/37th3rd/H1021am-01.pdf |archive-date=2004-11-30 |url-status = dead}}</ref> The motion passed in 2003, and the Amber alert system became operational in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |title=B.C. launches Amber Alert |url=http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_amber20040525 |publisher=CBC News |date=2004-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820142702/http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_amber20040525 |archive-date=2004-08-20 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=3|title=SE2 Throws in the Towel ... for now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060207003548/http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=3|access-date=2021-10-28|archive-date=2006-02-07}}</ref>
He led protests against the New Democratic Party Government's decision in 1997 to close the Chilliwack Courthouse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barrypenner.com/protest/protest.htm|title=Barry Penner-Courthouse Protest|date=26 March 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020326073746/http://www.barrypenner.com/protest/protest.htm|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=2002-03-26}}</ref> Ultimately, the decision was reversed and a new Courthouse was constructed with the support of the City of Chilliwack.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=9|title=Barry Penner News -|date=9 December 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209103959/http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=9|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=2003-12-09}}</ref><ref name="Progress111124"/>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=13|title=Piper Richardson|date=16 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116030510/http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=13|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=2006-01-16}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=246|title=Safety Improvements Going Ahead on Highway 9|date=9 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209190511/http://www.barrypenner.com/view_page.php?id=246|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=2006-02-09}}</ref><ref name="Progress111124"/> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2005-2009/2007TRAN0011-000318.htm|title=CABLE BARRIER IMPROVES HIGHWAY SAFETY|date=27 March 2007|publisher=Ministry of Transportation of British Columbia|access-date=2024-05-15}}</ref><ref name="Progress111124"/>
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.<ref name="BCLeg"/> He also chaired the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources, and was a member of the Standing Committee on Crown Corporations.<ref name="BCLeg"/> He was named parliamentary secretary to government house leader Gary Collins in February 2004, and in that capacity also served as deputy house leader.<ref>{{cite web|title=Penner appointed parliamentary secretary |url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/archive/2001-2005/2004OTP0016-000079.htm|publisher=Office of the Premier of British Columbia|date=2004-02-05 |accessdate=2024-05-15}}</ref>
Following his re-election in 2005, he was named to the cabinet as Minister of Environment.<ref name="CampbellCabinet">{{cite web|title=Campbell Cabinet: 37th Parliament 2001-2005, 38th Parliament 2005-2009, 39th Parliament 2009-2011 |url=https://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/campbell_cabinet.pdf|publisher=Legislative Assembly of British Columbia|accessdate=2024-05-15}}</ref> In June 2007, Penner announced he would continue working as a Minister while receiving treatment for leiomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer.<ref>{{Cite news |title=B.C. cabinet minister battling cancer |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-cabinet-minister-battling-cancer-1.653673 |publisher=CBC News |date=2007-06-11 |accessdate=2024-05-15 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="CampbellCabinet"/>
He stayed on as environment minister after winning re-election in 2009, until being named Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in October 2010.<ref name="CampbellCabinet"/> 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.<ref name="CampbellCabinet"/><ref>{{cite news |date=2010-12-01 |title=Mike de Jong joins BC Liberal leadership race |url=https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mike-de-jong-joins-bc-liberal-leadership-race-1.581207 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108173826/https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mike-de-jong-joins-bc-liberal-leadership-race-1.581207 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2018 |access-date=2024-05-15 |publisher=CTV News}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ClarkCabinet">{{cite web|title=Christy Clark Cabinet 2011-2017 |url=https://www.llbc.leg.bc.ca/public/reference/christyclarkcabinet.pdf |publisher=Legislative Library of British Columbia |date=2018-01-24 |access-date=2024-05-15}}</ref>
During his time in provincial politics, Penner was recognized by ''Vancouver Magazine'' as one of the 50 most influential people in British Columbia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vanmag.com/News_and_Features/The_Vancouver_Power_50_2010 |title=The Vancouver Power 50 2010 | Vancouver Magazine |access-date=2015-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214095251/http://www.vanmag.com/News_and_Features/The_Vancouver_Power_50_2010 |archive-date=2015-02-14 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
== Post politics == 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kines |first=Lindsay |date=2011-08-19 |title=Attorney general cites family reasons, to stay on as MLA until next vote |pages=A1 |work=Times Colonist}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Barry Penner steps down as B.C.'s attorney general |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/barry-penner-steps-down-as-b-c-s-attorney-general-1.980883 |publisher=CBC News |date=2011-08-18 |accessdate=2024-05-15 }}</ref> 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,<ref name="Progress111124">{{Cite web|url=http://www.theprogress.com/news/update-penner-resigns-to-join-law-firm/|title=UPDATE: Penner resigns to join law firm|date=24 November 2011|publisher=The Chilliwack Progress|access-date=2024-05-15|first=Jennifer |last=Feinberg }}</ref> where he would work on environmental, energy and First Nations issues. He officially resigned his legislative seat on January 9, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/01/09/penner-resignation-opens-door-for-new-candidates |title=Penner resignation opens door for new candidates | Vancouver Sun |access-date=2012-06-17 |archive-date=2012-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120000832/http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/01/09/penner-resignation-opens-door-for-new-candidates/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fletcher |first1=Tom |title=Ex-cabinet minister named ICBC chair |url=http://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/373122151.html |work=Cowichan Valley Citizen |agency=Black Press |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404124952/http://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/373122151.html |archive-date=2016-04-04 }}</ref> He served in that position until July 19, 2017, when the BC Liberals were replaced by an NDP administration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0227_2017 |date=July 19, 2017 |access-date= 2024-05-15 |title=Order-in-Council No. 227-2017|website=Bclaws.ca}}</ref> In November 2017 he became the managing director of British Columbia International Commercial Arbitration Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biv.com/article/2017/11/record-november-21-2017|title=For the record, November 21, 2017|website=Business in Vancouver|accessdate=2024-05-15}}</ref> Penner was appointed Chair of the [https://energyfuturesinstitute.ca/ Energy Futures Institute] in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://energyfuturesinstitute.ca/f/bcs-energy-futures-former-bc-environment-minister-to-lead-resou |title=Barry Penner to lead new Resource Works Energy Futures Initiative |website=energyfuturesinstitute.ca |date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2024-08-06}}</ref>
Penner is currently an alternate member of the registration committee of the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpsbc.ca/about/governance/committees|title=Committees | College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC|website=Cpsbc.ca|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bc500.biv.com/categories/non-profit-foundations-and-organizations/|title=Non-Profit Foundations and Organizations|website=Bc500.biv.com|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref>
== Personal life == Mr. Penner has 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geog.queensu.ca/gilbert/Gilbert_et_al_Atlin.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-02-18 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809215823/http://geog.queensu.ca/gilbert/Gilbert_et_al_Atlin.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-09 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theprogress.com/community/former-mla-barry-penner-moving-to-myanmar/|title=Former MLA Barry Penner moving to Myanmar|date=30 May 2014|website=Theprogress.com|access-date=28 October 2021}}</ref> However, he returned with his family to British Columbia for the birth of his second child.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Public-Figure/65667342555/|title=Barry Penner|website=Facebook.com}}</ref>
== Election results == {{2009 British Columbia general election/Chilliwack-Hope}} {{2005 British Columbia general election/Chilliwack-Kent}}
{{Election FPTP begin | title=B.C. General Election 2001: Chilliwack-Kent}} |- {{CANelec |BC |Liberal |'''Barry Penner''' |13,814 |74.88% | |$40,938}} |- {{Canadian party colour|BC|NDP|row}} |NDP |Malcolm James |align="right"|2,155 |align="right"|11.68% |align="right"| |align="right"|$3,979 {{CANelec |BC |Green |Larry Commodore |1,511 |8.19% |– |$890}} {{CANelec|BC|Marijuana|David Ferguson|968|5.25%||$1,496}} {{CANelec/total |Total valid votes |18,448 |100.00%}} {{CANelec/total |Total rejected ballots |94 |0.51%}} {{CANelec/total |Turnout |18,542 |71.63%}} {{end}}
{{Election FPTP begin | title=36th British Columbia election, 1996 - Chilliwack (electoral district) }} |- {{Canadian party colour|BC|Independent|row}} |No Affiliation |Bob Chisholm |align="right"|5,736 |align="right"|23.44% |align="right"| |align="right"|unknown {{CANelec|BC|NDP|Keith Rollie|5,989 |24.88%||unknown}} {{CANelec|BC|Green|Steve Kisby|232 |0.95%|–|unknown}} {{CANelec|BC|Liberal|'''Barry Penner''' |'''9,273''' |'''37.90%'''||unknown}} {{CANelec |BC |Reform |Bill Wimpney |3,237 |13.23% | |unknown}} |- bgcolor="white" !align="right" colspan=3|Total valid votes !align="right"|24,467 !align="right"|100.00% !align="right"| |- bgcolor="white" !align="right" colspan=3|Total rejected ballots !align="right"|107 !align="right"| !align="right"| |- bgcolor="white" !align="right" colspan=3|Turnout !align="right"|% !align="right"| !align="right"| |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070625103247/http://www.barrypenner.com/ BarryPenner.com] - Official site
{{Christy Clark Ministry}} {{Gordon Campbell Ministry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Penner, Barry}} Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Attorneys general of British Columbia Category:BC United MLAs Category:Canadian Mennonites Category:Canadian King's Counsel Category:Canadian people of German descent Category:Lawyers in British Columbia Category:Members of the Executive Council of British Columbia Category:People from Chilliwack Category:People from Kitimat Category:Simon Fraser University alumni Category:University of the Fraser Valley alumni Category:University of Victoria Faculty of Law alumni Category:20th-century Canadian lawyers Category:21st-century Canadian lawyers Category:20th-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia