Larry Bagnell served as Yukon’s representative in Ottawa for over a decade, sitting as a federal Member of Parliament from 2000-2020. During his time as a Liberal MP, Larry was appointed to the Privy Council and served as Parliamentary Secretary to both the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and the Minister of Natural Resources. Larry also sat on many Parliamentary Committees, developing expertise in the areas of Transport, Defence, Industry, Veterans Affairs, Justice & Human Rights, and Aboriginal Affairs.

Prior to politics, Larry had a lengthy career in the federal government, which culminated in his appointment as the Director for the Yukon of Industry Canada.  During this time, he managed programs in economic development, science and technology, tourism, small business, innovation, industrial development, and international trade, and led a number of Trade Missions. His legislative skills were well utilized and Larry played a key role in the creation of the Yukon’s new Municipal Act. He would also go on to become the Executive Director of the Association of Yukon Communities it was through this work that Larry became well known for being a tireless and reliable advocate.

Larry’s dedication to Yukon has roots that can be traced back to long before his time as a Member of Parliament. In 1999, he was recognized with the City of Whitehorse Volunteer of the Year Award. This award recognized his incredible service to the community, including his service as President of the Yukon chapter of the United Way, President of Yukon Learn (Literacy), and President of the Skookum Jim Friendship Center. In addition, Larry has sat on the Boards for the Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society, the Yukon Science Institute, and the Commissioner’s Potlatch.

Despite his many accomplishments his most important role began however, when he and Melissa were blessed with the birth of their first child Aurora, in October 2008 and their second child, Dawson born in November 2011.

Larry is also a graduate of the University of Toronto with Bachelor’s Degrees in both Arts and Science.

   Sukhvinder Kaur Vinning is the Executive Director of Worldwide Shift Disturbers, an organization focused on creating an intergenerational community that inspires people to take action with respect and equality. During her tenure as Vice President of the Multifaith Action
Society (MAS), Canada’s oldest interfaith organization, she was involved in the development of the Kirpan accommodation policy for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. As the former Executive Director for WSO she spearheaded Sikh engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the Vancouver Walk for Reconciliation. She was involved in the production of a short film entitled, It Matters: The Legacy of Residential Schools,
and developed WSO’s first One Billion Rising event focused on raising awareness that over 1
billion women on the planet will be raped or beaten in their lifetime.

Born and raised in BC, she brings a wealth of experience in fostering trust and understanding
between diverse faith communities and is currently focused on how to create effective positive
change through diverse intergenerational collaborations.

   Andy Sidhu is the University of the Fraser Valley’s third Chancellor. A long-time proponent of community engagement and integration. An accountant by trade before emigrating from Malaysia in 1974, Sidhu worked first on a dairy farm, then as a bookkeeper with the Canada Farm Labour Pool, where over the course of his 21 year career he became the Assist. Manager. He was an unofficial ambassador, bridging gaps in culture and language between local businesses and people emigrating from the Punjab.

   Sidhu is best known for founding B.C.’s first multi-language newspaper, the Punjabi Patrika. Printing 15,000 copies every Friday in English and Punjabi, the Patrika was established as a beacon of inclusivity and multicultural connection nearly 22 years ago. Sidhu received an honorary degree from UFV in 2017 and was also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his community service.

   Darryl began his term as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in September of 2017, following his election to a second term as MLA for the riding of Abbotsford South. During his first term he served in various capacities, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Social Development. He also served on the Select Standing Committee on Health, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, and on the Legislative Review Committee. Prior to his first being elected in 2013, Darryl held the RCMP Senior University Research Chair and Directorship of the Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) where he taught for 34 years. He is the author or co-author of more than 200 research reports, international journal articles, and other publications addressing a broad range public safety issues.

   As UFV professor emeritus he continues to write and teach on public safety issue. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including UFV’s Teaching Excellence Award, the Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology Award from the International Conference on College Teaching and Learning, the Order of Abbotsford, the Canadian Center for Substance Abuse Award of Distinction, the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Public Safety, and Queen’s Jubilee Medal. He holds two degrees in criminology from Simon Fraser University, and a doctorate in Higher Education from the University of British Columbia. He has also completed the Management Development Program in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University and is a three-time participant and presenter to the Oxford Round table.