“Lord, today we bring the Hon. Donna Barnett to you. We thank you for Donn’a faithful service to our province and the people of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. We ask that you would give her clarity in decision making and creative strategies for problem solving that will benefit all British Columbians.” Amen
Donna Barnett was elected MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin in 2009 and re-elected in 2017. She is the Minister of State for Rural Economic Development.
Donna has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for Rural Development, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Community, Tourism, Sport and Cultural Development for Rural Communities and Development. She has been a member of the Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Children and Youth, and Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.She has also been a member of the Environment and Land Use Committee.
A self-employed business owner and realtor, Donna served as mayor of the District of 100 Mile House from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2008.
Donna’s political experience is diverse. She has been a member of the Cariboo Regional District and Hospital District, the Premier’s Task Force on Opportunities, the Restorative Justice Committee, the Regional Economic Development Committee, the BC Open Learning Agency, the Cariboo College Board of Directors, and the Chamber of Commerce. She has also been involved in community policing, land-use planning, and health care more broadly.
With over 35 years of community involvement, Donna has been a Rotarian, a member of the 100 Mile House Kinettes, a member of the 100 Mile Outriders Club, chair of the Spirit of BC 100 Mile House Community Committee, chair of the 100 Mile Chapter of Kidsport, chair of the 100 Mile & District Safety Committee, a member of Measuring up the North 100 Mile Committee, chair of the 100 Mile Advisory Committee for the Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, a member of the 100 Mile House Museum Society, a member of the Lower Bridge Creek Watershed Society, and has served as chair of the South Cariboo Planning Council.
Donna has two grown children and one grandchild.