Events

Michael de Jong was re-elected in 2020 as the MLA for Abbotsford West, an area he has represented since first being elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in a 1994 by-election. He currently serves as the Official Opposition Critic for the Attorney General.

Michael has served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and Minister of Forests. In addition, he also served as Government House Leader.

Before his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, de Jong served two terms as an elected school trustee for Abbotsford School District 34 and was a practising lawyer with his own Abbotsford firm. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and a law degree from the University of Alberta.

Still an avid hockey player, in his teen years Michael was a member of the Abbotsford Pilots Junior B hockey team. He attended Mouat Secondary School and still lives on the Matsqui Prairie farm where he grew up.

Having purchased 20 acres in Abbotsford, and inspired by personal experiences in the Okanagan, Andi started gathering information on how to build a world class vineyard and winery. She was fortunate to connect with leading winery owners across the Okanagan, who were kind enough to lend their expertise. A recurring "voice" she heard was the belief that you cannot build a premium winery in the Fraser Valley. Not to be dissuaded, Andi and her husband pressed on, threw aside their doubters, and proved the Fraser Valley to be a hidden gem on the rise in the Canadian winemaking space. Andi’s personal stamp is all over Cannon Estate Winery from every detail of cellar and Lounge design to workflows for service and label art and presentation.

Norma Barber shares her time between Grande Prairie, Alberta and White Rock, BC. Throughout her career in Commercial Real Estate, Norma considered philanthropy key to her success principles. Norma enjoys being coach to individuals seeking personal financial freedom and giving practical insights to small groups when invited.With this in mind she gives to organizations which she is passionate.Including Inspired by Vision, Pineridge Adventure Camp, Hope International, Canadian Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary.

“Days for Girls ProInfancia Dominican Republic” 2023-2028 project to provide menstrual health education, manufacture and distribute 250,000 DfG Smart Starter Kits to each girl age 13-18 in the country of the Dominican Republic.

What prompts human flourishing? What helps communities thrive?  What are “restorative practices” and how they promote human flourishing for individuals, organizations, and communities? Since 2010 Colette Squires and Associates has been dedicated to mediation, restorative practices, and organizational development to help individuals, families, and organizations experience growth, wellbeing, and human flourishing.

Looking back at the events that shaped our Rotary year.