Biographies of the Ministers

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

Hon. Trevor Taylor     top
Member for The Straits & White Bay North 

Raised in Gunners Cove, Trevor Taylor has been extensively involved in the fishery at several levels. He worked as a fisherman harvesting cod until the moratorium in 1992 and was skipper for three years of the 55-foot shrimp / crab boat Cull's Eclipse. He is a past executive board member of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers' (FFAW) Union and worked for six years as a staff member of the union. He served two terms as a member of the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council (FRCC) and served as a member of the Oxfam fisheries delegation to Nicaragua. He has served on the boards of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), the St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. (SABRI), and the White Bay North Rural Development Association. Mr. Taylor has also taught off-campus fisheries courses for the Marine Institute.

Mr. Taylor was elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election in the district of The Straits & White Bay North on January 30, 2001, and served as the Opposition critic for Fisheries and Aquaculture and for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. On October 21, 2003, he was re-elected as the Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) for The Straits & White Bay North and, on November 6, he was sworn in as the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs. He was confirmed as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in the government restructuring of February 20, 2004. On November 8, 2005, Mr. Taylor was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works. On July 5, 2006, Mr. Taylor was appointed Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

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 and has retained her responsibilities for the Status of Women.

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

Kathy Dunderdale was the first woman to be elected President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and the only woman to have been made an honourary member of that organization. She has served as a Director with the Canadian Federation of Municipalities, and as President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Dunderdale has worked in the fields of community development, communications, fisheries and social work. In both her work and volunteer capacities, she has exhibited an ongoing commitment to women's issues, and to rural development in our province.

Prior to her appointment as Minister of Natural Resources, Ms. Dunderdale served as Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, and Minister Responsible for the Rural Secretariat.

Ms. Dunderdale has two children, Sara (Matt) and Tom (Jillian), and two grandsons, Jack and Nathan. She makes her home in St. John's.

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 Mr. Marshall 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 is a past member of the Women Mentor Committee and helped develop training literature to promote gender equity in municipal government and school boards.

During that time, Ms. Whalen was also heavily involved in the community beyond municipal politics. She is a past provincial director of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and past chairperson of the Paradise War Memorial Committee. She was a marriage commissioner and remains a Justice of the Peace. Ms. Whalen was employed at the College of the North Atlantic for 29 years. During part of that employment, she also held the position of President of Nape Local 7852.

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 of Newfoundland and a Master of Education (Psychology) from Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. He served as principal of Bishop O’Neill Collegiate in Brigus.

He was first elected to the House of Assembly on February 9, 1999 to represent the District of Harbour Main Whitbourne. Mr. Hedderson 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 & 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. Mr. Hedderson was appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on November 8, 2005.

Born on May 7, 1954 , he is the youngest son of Bernard and Josephine (nee Philpott). Mr. Hedderson is the youngest of 19 in 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.

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. Mr. Jackman 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 of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1993, he received a Master's of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mr. Jackman has 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. Mr. Jackman 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.

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

As a politician with more than 15 years experience, and a community volunteer for more than 25 years, Shawn Skinner is clearly dedicated to serving the interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Mr. Skinner is a strong advocate for training and employment supports, affordable housing, emergency services, and the rights of the disabled. He has particular experience in the areas of training and education, as he was involved with Keyin College as an instructor, faculty supervisor, principal, and operator prior to his involvement in provincial politics. He was elected as a Progressive Conservative Member of the House of Assembly in 2003 in the District of St. John’s Centre, appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier in 2006, and was re-elected in 2007. He was appointed Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment in January 2007. Before entering provincial politics, Mr. Skinner served as municipal councilor (Ward II) in the city of St. John’s.

Mr. Skinner holds a Diploma in Applied Arts from Cabot College, in addition to a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. In 1998, Mr. Skinner was awarded the Professional Manager Designation by the Canadian Institute of Management. This designation is reserved for individuals who successfully meet an established set of criteria that is reflective of high standards with respect to professional integrity, academics, work performance, and professional recognition.

Mr. Skinner and his wife Judy (nee McCarthy) have three children - Erin, Heidi and Shane.

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 recently 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 Brian 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. Paul Oram      top
Member for Terra Nova

Paul Oram, son of Dawson and Elizabeth Oram, was born in Gander on January 13, 1966. He was raised in Glovertown, where he attended Glovertown Academy. After graduation he enrolled in college and was later awarded a diploma in Business Management.

In 1985, Mr. Oram married Karen Greenham. They moved to St. John's later that year where he joined the marketing branch of a medical company. One year afterwards, with a desire to own and operate his own business, Mr. Oraml returned home to Glovertown where he started a construction company.

In 1994 Mr. Oram received his Funeral Director's licence and in 1996 purchased his first funeral home. Since that time, the business interests of Mr. Oram and his wife Karen have grown, acquiring an additional funeral home, personal care home facilities, and a travel agency.

Aside from his businesses, Mr. Oram has also been active as a volunteer. He has held various positions such as church appointments, school councillor, trustee with the Central Health Board, as well as Deputy Mayor of Glovertown.

Mr. Oram was elected to the House of Assembly as MHA for the Terra Nova District on October 21, 2003. Since being elected he spearheaded the establishment of the Red Tape Reduction Committee, and serves as the committee Chair. He also served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier.

Mr. Oram and his wife Karen reside in Glovertown with their two children - Crystal and Victoria.

Hon. Jerome Kennedy     top
Member for Carbonear - Harbour Grace

Jerome Kennedy is the oldest of ninechildren 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.

Mr. Kennedy lives in St. John's with his wife Rachel and their two children, Julia (age 12) and Michael (age 10).

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.