Donna Barnett has lived in the Cariboo for more than 45 years.
She and her husband, Jack, have two grown children and one grandchild.
Barnett’s life has always been about family, community service, dedication and lots of hard work.
A self-employed business owner, realtor and former Mayor of the District of 100 Mile House from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2008, Barnett is an indomitable force who is recognized throughout the Cariboo-Chilcotin as someone who listens, understands, collaborates and gets things done.
It is a well known fact that Barnett’s door is always open for public input and community ideas. She always holds the interests of citizens first.
Barnett’s political experience has been very diverse.
She has been either a member of, or involved in; the Cariboo Regional District and Hospital District, community policing, the Premier’s Task Force on Opportunities, land use planning, health care, the Restorative Justice Committee, the Regional Economic Development Committee, the BC Open Learning Agency, the governing board of directors for Cariboo College and the Chamber of Commerce.
Barnett has also served as co-chair of the Council of Resource Community Mayors as well as chair of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition.
She was a member of the federal government’s Minister of Natural Resources Committee (dealing with the pine beetle) and a member of the Premier’s Climate Action Team.
With more than 35 years of community involvement, Barnett has been a Rotarian, a 100 Mile House Kinette, member of the 100 Mile Outriders Club, chaired the Spirit of BC 100 Mile House Community Committee, chaired the 100 Mile Chapter of Kidsport, chaired the 100 Mile and District Safety Committee, member of Measuring up the North 100 Mile Committee, chaired the 100 Mile Advisory Committee to Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, member of the 100 Mile House Museum Society and a member of the Lower Bridge Creek Watershed Society. Barnett has also worked with the Canim Lake Band on Unity ride and other projects.
She has won numerous awards for her work: 2012 Queens Diamond Jubilee Award; 2009 Rotary Paul Harris Award; 2009 District of 100 Mile House “Freeman;” 2008 Women in Resource Communities: Woman of the Year; 2006 BC Government Community Achievement Award; 1989 South Cariboo Citizen of the Year; 125th Canadian Government Medal for Community Achievement.
-Biography submitted