Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the soft-spoken, gentle nature You’ve given Member Toporowski. Thank You for the peace she brings. We pray that You give her a spirit of boldness in times of need. We pray that You give her strength and fortitude to stand up for what is right. May You guide her every step today, Lord Jesus. Fill her with Your power! We pray that she is able to stand firm in the calling You have given her to represent her people at the Legislature. Bless her greatly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat) was elected MLA for Cowichan Valley in 2024. Debra is the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health. Debra is a member of the Cowichan Tribes and before being elected to the Legislative Assembly was a two-term elected Councillor in the Municipality of North Cowichan and a five-time Councillor of Cowichan Tribes — the first elected woman to hold both positions on two councils at the same time. She was appointed Acting Mayor for North Cowichan in 2022. Debra has also worked extensively for Indigenous watersheds and wild salmon and was appointed Indigenous Watershed Champion in 2021. She was appointed to the Pacific Salmon Commission in 2020. She was also a member of the Cowichan Watershed Board. Debra is a proud daughter of a First Nations mother and Chinese father. She has lived in the Cowichan Valley all her life, where she enjoys spending time with her family.