Barry Penner is a lawyer who was raised in Chilliwack. He studied government and economics at Simon Fraser University to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later received his law degree from the University of Victoria.

A former sawmill worker and park ranger, Penner also worked as a B.C. Legislative intern in Victoria. In 1991 he was a legal intern for an international law firm in Thailand.

Mr. Penner has a history of community involvement. He is a member of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, the Chilliwack Foundation and Sardis Community Church.

Mr. Penner is the youngest B.C. Liberal MLA in the current legislature.