• Danny Williams
  Premier
   
• Joan Burke
  Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services
   
• Kathy Dunderdale
  Deputy Premier
  Minister of Natural Resources
  Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
  Minister Responsible for Status of Women
   
• Thomas W. Marshall, Q.C.
  Minister of Finance
  President of Treasury Board
  Minister Responsible for the Public Service Secretariat
  Minister Responsible for the Office of the Chief Information Officer
   
• Dianne Whalen
  Minister of Municipal Affairs
  Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, and Registrar General
   
• Thomas J. Hedderson
  Minister of Transportation and Works
  Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland Labrador Housing Corporation
   
• Clyde Jackman
  Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
   
• John Hickey
  Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs
   
• Darin King
  Minister of Education
   
• Kevin O'Brien
  Minister of Government Services
  Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency
   
• Ross Wiseman
  Minister of Business
   
• Shawn Skinner
  Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
  Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat
   
• Susan Sullivan
  Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
  Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities
  Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency
  Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
  Minister Responsible for Youth Engagement
   
• Dave Denine
  Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs
  Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector
   
• Charlene Johnson
  Minister of Environment and Conservation
   
• Felix Collins
  Minister of Justice and Attorney General
   
• Jerome P. Kennedy, Q.C.
  Minister of Health and Community Services
   
• Patty Pottle
  Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
   
• Terry French
  Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation

Hon. Joan Burke     top
Member for St. George’s - Stephenville East

Joan (Shea) Burke was born and raised in Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador. Settling with her husband Brian and daughter Jeanne in Stephenville, she was first elected to the House of Assembly in the District of St. George's - Stephenville East in October 2003.

Ms. Burke’s first cabinet appointment was as Minister of Human Resources and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in November 2003. In February 2004, her responsibilities expanded to include the newly formed Labour Relations Agency, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, and the Workplace Health and Safety Compensation Commission. She was also named lead Minister for Immigration in the Province.

On November 8, 2005, Ms. Burke was appointed Minister of Education On April 9, 2009 Ms. Burke became Minister of the new Department of Child, Youth and Family Services..

Ms. Burke’s work in government is greatly supported by her prior educational and professional experience. In 1987 she graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 1990. Prior to entering public life she worked as a parole officer with the Correctional Services of Canada and served on the executive of the Union of Solicitor General Employees and as a Shop Steward for Local 90098. Ms. Burke has also spent many years volunteering for a variety of community events and initiatives.

Hon. Kathy Dunderdale     top
Member for Virginia Waters

In both work and volunteer roles, Kathy Dunderdale has exhibited an ongoing commitment to women's issues, anti-violence and rural development in our province. Minister Dunderdale has served as President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities, Director of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities, and as President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. She has worked throughout the province in the fields of community development, communications, fisheries and social work.

Following her election to the House of Assembly in 2003, Minister Dunderdale served as Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat and later as Minister of Natural Resources. On October 31, 2008, she was appointed Deputy Premier, Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

Hon. Thomas W. Marshall, Q.C.   top
Member for Humber East

Tom Marshall is the son of the late Sylvia Marshall and Jack Marshall, former Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for Humber - St. George's - St. Barbe. He grew up in Corner Brook before attending Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1969, and Dalhousie University in Halifax, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1972. After graduation, he returned to Corner Brook and joined the law firm of Barry, Wells and Monaghan as an associate lawyer, articling with Kevin Barry, Q.C., and became a partner in the firm of Barry, Wells, Monaghan, Seaborn and Marshall in 1975. He remained senior partner with the firm of Monaghan, Marshall, Murphy and Watton until his election and subsequent appointment to Cabinet in 2003 (Minister of Justice and Attorney General). In 1986, he was appointed Queen's Counsel. On December 29, 2006, he was appointed Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.

Mr. Marshall has been an active member of the law community, having served as a Bencher of the Law Society of Newfoundland for Western Newfoundland, a member of the Canadian Bar Association, a member of the Newfoundland Law Society, a member of the Humber Real Estate Association, a former member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Law Reform Commission and the former chair of Lottery Licences Review Board. He has also lectured in Business Law, Banking Law, Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, the Institute of Canadian Bankers, the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Atlantic Home Building Institute.

Mr. Marshall is married to Lin Crosbie of Steady Brook. They have three children: Rebecca, Seth and Kami.
 

Hon. Dianne Whalen     top
Member for Conception Bay East & Bell Island

Prior to becoming MHA for Conception Bay East and Bell Island in 2003, Dianne Whalen was mayor of Paradise for 18 years where she was responsible for managing and serving the need of the Town's citizens. She served on numerous committees relating to the promotion and development of the Town which helped it earn the reputation of the fastest growing Town in Atlantic Canada.

Originally from Port Blandford, Ms. Whalen has lived in Paradise for 40 years. She spent two decades in municipal politics, where she served as a director of the provincial and national federation of municipalities and served on such standing committees as Economic Development, Community Safety Crime Prevention, Northern Remote Forum and the Environmental Membership Development Committee. Ms. Whalen also served as director Avalon Region on the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities. She held the position of chair of the Finance Committee and the Municipal Training and Development Committee and was a member of the Communication Committee and Social Strategic Committee. She chaired the North East Avalon Joint Councils, and was a member of the subcommittee that rewrote the Municipalities Act. Ms. Whalen was a past Member of the Women Mentor Committee and helped develop training literature to promote gender equity in municipal government and school boards.

Hon. Thomas J. Hedderson    top
Member for Harbour Main

Tom Hedderson graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Education (English) degrees from Memorial University and a Master’s of Education (Psychology) from Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. He served as principal of Bishop O’Neill Collegiate in Brigus.

First elected to the House of Assembly on February 9, 1999 to represent the District of Harbour Main-Whitbourne, he has served as Opposition Critic for Education (K-12), Parliamentary Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition and as Critic for Youth Services and Post Secondary Education. Re-elected for a second term on October 21, 2003, Mr. Hedderson was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education and Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education. The department's name later changed to Education in the departmental restructuring on February 20, 2004. Mr. Hedderson was appointed Minister of Education October 1, 2004. He was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on November 8, 2005.

Born on May 7, 1954, son of Bernard and Josephine (nee Philpott), Mr. Hedderson is the youngest of 19, a family of nine brothers and 10 sisters. He married Rosemary, daughter of the late Richard and Nora Conway of Marysvale. As proud parents of Christa Marie and Julia Anne, the family resides in the community of Georgetown.

Mr. Hedderson served as Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector from October 30, 2007 until he was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in October, 2008.

Hon. Clyde Jackman    top
Member for Burin-Placentia West

Clyde Jackman was born in Grole, Hermitage Bay to Clyde and Theresa (Cribb) Jackman and is the eldest of 10 children. His family resettled to Marystown in 1968. He has resided in Baine Harbour for the past 29 years where he and his wife Elizabeth (Kilfoy) raised their five children Mary, Colin, Owen, Darren, and Byron. Mr. Jackman completed his high school years at Pearce Regional High School and went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts and Education from Memorial University. In 1993, he received a Master’s of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He worked in education for 27 years. His first two years of teaching took him to Cartwright, Labrador. He then returned to the Burin Peninsula and worked as a teaching principal at St. Matthew's Elementary, Boat Harbour West, and as principal at Jacques Fontaine All-Grade School, Jacques Fontaine.

Mr. Jackman has served as a volunteer at both the local and provincial levels. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the T. J. Macdonald Youth Group Home and, for 21 years, he worked as a volunteer firefighter. He has held several positions within his local church community and, for a period of time, he and his family provided foster care support. He is an avid outdoors person. He particularly enjoys kayaking and canoeing. He has fished alongside trawlermen and inshore fishermen and he has a deep interest in the future of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. He was sworn in as the Member for Burin-Placentia West on November 12, 2003. He was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Education in June 2005. He was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Conservation on March 14, 2006. Mr. Jackman most recently served as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Hon. John Hickey     top
Member for Lake Melville

John Hickey came to Twin Falls, Labrador, in 1962, and graduated from JR Smallwood Collegiate in Wabush. He lived in Churchill Falls, Labrador West and is currently a resident of Happy Valley - Goose Bay. He is a graduate of the College of the North Atlantic as a high voltage linesman. He has spent his working career of 25 years with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, where he has held various positions including senior management serving communities throughout Labrador.

Mr. Hickey has served the citizens of Happy Valley-Goose Bay for 16 years as mayor, deputy mayor and councillor. He has held the position of president for the Combined Councils of Labrador and served as a National Director for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities representing the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.          

Mr. Hickey has volunteered his time as a Director for the Goose Bay Airport Corporation (GBAC), a Director on the Central Labrador Economic Development Board (CLEDB), and a member of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce (LNCC). In March of 2003, he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada, which is bestowed upon individuals who make significant contributions to their community and regions. Currently he is a member of the Goose Bay Citizens Coalition for 5 Wing Goose Bay.

For the past 15 years, he has been a strong voice in the community championing the many issues at hand. As the MHA for Lake Melville, he is committed to working to "maximize the benefits" of Labrador's natural resources for all Labradorians.

Hon. Kevin O’Brien     top
Member for Gander

Kevin O'Brien was sworn in as the Member for the District of Gander on November 12, 2003. Born at Ferryland, where he received his early education, Mr. O’Brien graduated with honours from Baltimore High School. He first moved to Gander District in 1974 to complete his pharmacy internships under the watchful eyes of Albert and Roy Jenkins at Gander Drugs.

Upon his graduation from the School of Pharmacy, he moved to Gander to make it his permanent home. He started his career in pharmacy at Gander Drugs, moving on to Kelways where he worked for 16 years. Mr. O’Brien’s belief in Gander as a viable and growing area was demonstrated in 1995 when he established his own business - O'Brien's Pharmacy and Medical Centre.

During his career, Mr. O’Brien has been elected to the Board of Directors of the ARP pharmacy banner program, where he has served as a director and chaired several committees. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of Medi-Plus Pharmacies, a national pharmacy chain, and served as chair of the board for two years. He was presented with the National Commitment to Community Care Award by the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. O’Brien has also served as director on both the Gander Area Chamber of Commerce and Gander World Wide. Prior to 2003, he served as President of Aero Marine Products Ltd, an aerospace supply company. Mr. O’Brien comes with International experience doing business in several countries. But due to the long-term relationship between Gander and Cubana Airlines, his main focus has been the country of Cuba.

Mr. O'Brien served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier from April 6, 2005 to July 5, 2006. He was appointed Minister of Business on July 5, 2006. Mr. O’ Brien is married to Rhonda Graham, and they have three girls: Adrianne, Tricia and Taylor.

Hon. Ross Wiseman    top
Member for Trinity North

Ross Wiseman, Minister of Health and Community Services, was first elected in a by-election in Trinity North on April 25, 2000.

Prior to entering political life, he had a successful 15-year career in health administration with the Peninsulas Health Care Corporation and the former Clarenville Area Hospital Board.

While a Member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Wiseman has served as the deputy chair of Public Accounts Committee. On September 26, 2001, he was appointed the Opposition critic for Health and Community Services. Following his victory in the General Election in the district of Trinity North on October 21, 2003, Mr. Wiseman was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

He chaired of the Provincial Advisory Council on Aging and Seniors and in that capacity chaired the Public Consultations on Healthy Aging, a process to assist Government in developing a Provincial Healthy Aging Plan. On January 19, 2007, he was appointed Minister of Health and Community Services..

Mr. Wiseman is committed to being accessible to the residents of Trinity North. Along with his wife Sandra, he continues to reside in the district of Trinity North.

Hon. Shawn Skinner     top
Member for St. John’s Centre

Mr. Shawn Skinner was born and raised in St. John's. Mr. Skinner was elected as a Progressive Conservative Member of the House of Assembly in the 2003 General Election. Prior to entering provincial politics, Shawn served as a Municipal Councilor (Ward II) in the City of St. John's.

A proud graduate of both Holy Cross Junior High and Brother Rice High School, Shawn attended Memorial University, Cabot College and St. Francis Xavier University earning a Diploma in Applied Arts and a Certificate in Adult Education.

For 20 years, Mr. Skinner worked in the field of Adult Education and Skills Training with Keyin College, St. John's campus. He served in the capacities of instructor, faculty supervisor, principal, and operator. Since 1998, he has held the Canadian Institute of Management's Professional Manager Designation which recognizes a combination of academic and professional work experience.

Throughout his career, Mr. Skinner has actively been engaged in community service. He has served as a vice-president of the St. John's Boys and Girls Club, a member of the Royal St. John's Regatta Committee; the president of the Benevolent Irish Society, and a board member of Friends of Victoria Park. His volunteer work includes the Canadian Blood Services, the St. John's Canada Day Committee, and past chair of the CNIB Visions Luncheon.

Hon. Susan Sullivan     top
Member for Grand Falls-Windsor – Buchans

Born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor, Susan is fiercely proud of her hometown and its rich legacy of social, cultural, and economic leadership.

She has a bachelor of arts (French major) and a bachelor of education from Memorial University. She has a masters of education (literacy) from Mount St. Vincent University and a French immersion diploma from l'Université Laval.

Susan retired in June of 2007 following a 30-year teaching career, working the last seven years as the French Department Head for the Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation where she taught senior high French to all parts of the province via the Internet.

In the 2005 municipal election, Susan was elected Deputy Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor. As Deputy Mayor, she served as Chair of the Public Works and Engineering Committee and the 2006 Salmon Festival. She was a member of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, the Finance and Human Resources Committee, and the Post Secondary Education Committee. She was also a director of the EXCITE Corporation and a board member of the Exploits Valley Economic Development Corporation where she served on the Municipalities Committee as well as the Education and IT Committees.

Susan was elected in the deferred general election in Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans district on November 6, 2007.

Hon. Dave Denine     top
Member for Mount Pearl South

Dave Denine was elected and sworn in as a Member of the House of Assembly in November 2003. He subsequently served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. He was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education on March 14, 2006.

The former Mount Pearl Mayor is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he received a Bachelor of Education degree in 1972, and a retired junior and senior high school teacher. He served as a member of the Mount Pearl City Council since November 1989, holding the positions of Councillor, Deputy Mayor and, since 1996, Mayor. He has served on the executive of the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Association; chaired the Torch Relay Committee; and was a member of the Coordinating Committee for the 1988 and 2000 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games. He also co-chaired the 2002 Irving Cup Hockey Tournament held in Mount Pearl. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Children's Wish Foundation. He has received several community awards including the 1988 City Builders Award, the 1988 Brain Waklin Award for Minor Hockey Executive of the Year, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for community service, and the Mount Pearl Minor Hockey Builders Award. He has been involved in many capacities with hockey, basketball, and soccer, and volunteered for the 2000 Summer Games.

Mr. Denine, his wife Shirley and their two sons, Keith and Mark, live in Mount Pearl.

Hon. Charlene Johnson     top
Member for Trinity - Bay de Verde

Charlene Johnson, the youngest woman ever elected to serve in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, is passionate about sustainable development and the protection of our natural resources. Born in Carbonear and raised in the Conception Bay community of Gull Island, Charlene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Engineering from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Prior to politics Charlene worked in the fields of forestry and environmental engineering.

Charlene was first elected to the House of Assembly in November 2003. On July 5, 2006, she was appointed the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. Felix Collins      top
Member for Placentia - St. Mary’s

Born in St. Anne’s, Placentia Bay, Felix Collins graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a bachelor of arts degree in education in 1964 and a bachelor of arts degree in 1968. He completed a masters of education degree in 1972 from the University of Boston and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 1995, at which time he was awarded the Newton Rowell Scholarship for his dedication to public service.

He worked as a school principal, teacher, coordinator and a superintendent of education until retirement in 1992, at which time he entered law school. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in April 1996 and is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He practiced law in St. John’s until 2007.

He was Mayor of the Town of Placentia for sixteen years and a member of the Placentia Council for nineteen years. He was chairperson of the first Joint Councils of the Placentia area and served as Chairperson of the Placentia Area Recreation Commission. He was one of the founding directors of the Placentia Health Care Board, and served eight years as its vice-president. He served six years on the Board of Directors of Marine Atlantic.

In 1990 he was named first winner of the Johnson Foundation Award, granted annually by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association to a provincial educator who has made a major contribution to community life. That same year he was named Placentia Citizen of the Year.

In February, 2006, Mr. Collins was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for the District of Placentia and St. Mary’s in a by-election. He was re-elected on October 9, 2007.

As a Member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Collins has served as Deputy Chair of Committees, Chair of the Elections and Privileges Committee, and a Member of the Public Accounts Committee. He has also served as Legislative Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and as Commissioner for the St. John’s Urban Region (Agricultural) Development Area Boundary Review.

Mr. Collins is married, and has three children and one granddaughter.

Hon. Jerome Kennedy     top
Member for Carbonear - Harbour Grace

Jerome Kennedy is the oldest of nine children of Patrick and Flora Kennedy of Carbonear. Mr. Kennedy grew up on London Road and attended St. Joseph's Elementary School in Carbonear. He attended high school at St. Francis in Harbour Grace and graduated in 1976.  Mr. Kennedy graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1981 with a B.A.(Hons.). He then attended the University of New Brunswick Law School and graduated in 1984 with an LL.B. Mr. Kennedy was admitted to the Newfoundland Bar in 1985.

Mr. Kennedy has been a criminal lawyer for 20 years and was counsel at the Lamer Inquiry in St. John's. He is a director of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC) and has worked on wrongful conviction cases throughout Canada. Mr. Kennedy was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2005.

Mr. Kennedy has served as a director of the LSPU Hall and the Stella Burry Foundation (which provides housing and education in the downtown community). He also has been involved as a volunteer in minor hockey and basketball.

Hon. Patty Pottle     top
Member for Torngat Mountains

Patty Pottle has a Bachelor of Education (Native and Northern) and has been the Owner/Operator of Amaguk Inn (9 years) and D. J. Gift Shop Ltd. (12 years). She has also been a Manager of Wm. Normore Ltd in Hopedale (5 years), an Agent for Provincial Airlines in Hopedale (8 years), and a Former School Teacher of Amos Comenius Memorial School (6 years). Ms. Pottle has served on a variety of boards and committees including: Tourism Nunatsiavut – Chair; Tasiujatsoak Trust – Trustee; Kamatsiatet Committee – Chair; Former Town Councillor Hopedale Heritage Festival; Former Agvituk Historical Society Member; Former Board Member of Labrador Inuit Association; Former Government Member of Government Nunatsiavut (Transitional).

Ms. Pottle resides in Hopedale.

Hon. Terry French      top
Member for Conception Bay South

On October 21, 2003, Mr. French was re-elected Member for Conception Bay South. He was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier in November 2003 and confirmed in this role in the departmental restructuring of February 20, 2004. On April 6, 2005, he was appointed Caucus Whip, and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment on January 19, 2007.

Mr. French was re-elected to the House of Assembly on October 9, 2007, and on October 30, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Community Services.

From 1997 to 2002, he served as Executive Assistant to St. John's East MP Norman Doyle, which afforded him the opportunity to assist the people of Conception Bay South and Holyrood through his constituency work in that office.

His political experience began early. He became President of the PC Youth wing of the local PC Association in the early eighties. He served on the Provincial Executive of the PC Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and was Campaign Chairman of two successful PC campaigns in the district during the 1996 and 1999 general elections. He has served as a member of the Provincial PC Election Readiness Committee. He was heavily involved in the 2001 and 2002 provincial PC by-election wins on the Northern Peninsula and in Bonavista North.

Mr. French graduated Queen Elizabeth High School in Foxtrap in 1984 and subsequently attended Memorial University until joining his father in a family business in 1986.

He has strong involvement in the community, particularly community sports: Member of the Board of Governors of the Conception Bay South Sports Hall of Fame; Volunteer in the Summer Games in Conception Bay South; Conception Bay South Minor Softball Coach; Member of the Conception Bay South Softball Umpire Association; Level 4 Umpire working at the National Softball Tournament.

Mr. French resides in Conception Bay South with his wife, two children, and his mother.

Expense Reports