Charlene Johnson

The Honourable
Charlene Johnson
B.Sc., M.Sc., MHA
Minister of Department of Finance and President of the Treasury of Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
January 29, 2014 – September 5, 2014
Preceded by Tom Marshall
Succeeded by Ross Wiseman
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for Trinity-Bay de Verde
In office
2003 – September 5, 2014
Preceded by Lloyd Snow
Succeeded by Steve Crocker
Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development of Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
October 9, 2013 – January 29, 2014
Preceded by Keith Hutchings
Succeeded by Terry French (acting)
Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services of Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
January 13, 2011 – October 9, 2013
Preceded by Joan Shea
Succeeded by Paul Davis
Minister of Environment and Conservation of Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
2007–2011
Succeeded by Ross Wiseman
Personal details
Born Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political party Progressive Conservative

Charlene Johnson MHA, is a former Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Johnson represented the district of Trinity-Bay de Verde for the Progressive Conservative Party from 2003 to 2014.

Johnson served as a minister in the cabinets of Danny Williams, Kathy Dunderdale and Tom Marshall. During her time in cabinet she was Minister of the Environment and Conservation, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board.[1] Johnson is the youngest woman ever elected to the House of Assembly, and the only woman to ever give birth while serving as a Member of the House of Assembly (MHA).[2]

Background

Johnson was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador, and raised in the Conception Bay community of Gull Island. She studied at the University of New Brunswick, where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Engineering. Johnson then obtained a Masters of Applied Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland.[3]

Politics

In the 2003 provincial election Johnson became the youngest woman to ever be elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Johnson defeated Liberal incumbent Lloyd Snow in the district of Trinity-Bay de Verde, she won 63 percent of the vote compared to Snow's 32 percent. She was re-elected in the 2007 provincial election, taking 72 percent of the vote. Following the election Premier Danny Williams appointed her Minister of Environment and Conservation.

In April 2009, Johnson became the first MHA in Newfoundland and Labrador, and one of only a handful of women in Canada, to give birth while being a member of a provincial or federal legislature.[2]

Johnson served as the Environment Minister till January 2011, when Premier Kathy Dunderdale appointed her Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services.[1] Later that year she was re-elected, winning 62 percent of the popular. Johnson remained in the portfolio of Child, Youth and Family services when Dunderdale named her new cabinet several weeks after the election.[4] In October 2013, Johnson was appointed Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development.[5] In January 2014, she was named Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board replacing Tom Marshall who had become premier.[5]

In September 2014, Johnson announced she was leaving politics to focus on her family.[6][7] Her father, Ron Johnson ran in the byelection to replace her,[8] but was defeated by Liberal Steve Crocker.[9]

Electoral record

Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2011
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Progressive ConservativeCharlene Johnson 2882 61.91% –
LiberalBarry Snow 1114 23.93%
     NDP Sheina Lerman 659 14.16%
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Progressive ConservativeCharlene Johnson 3572 71.93% –
LiberalBruce M. Layman 1137 22.9%
     NDP Don Penney 257 5.18%
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2003[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Progressive ConservativeCharlene Johnson 4091 63.2% –
LiberalLloyd G. Snow 2095 32.37%
     NDP Victoria Harnum 287 4.43%

References

  1. 1 2 "Premier Announces Changes to Cabinet". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Minister's mat leave sets precedent for legislature". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Charlene Johnson". House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  4. ↑ "Premier Dunderdale Appoints New Cabinet, Announces Departmental Restructuring". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  5. 1 2 http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/exec/0129n04.htm
  6. ↑ "Newfoundland justice and finance ministers to resign". The Globe and Mail. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Charlene Johnson: Tories 'not a sinking ship'". CBC News. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Charlene Johnson's father to run in her former district". CBC News. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Steve Crocker sweeps Trinity-Bay de Verde byelection for Liberals". CBC News. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  10. ↑ Newfoundland & Labrador Votes 2007. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
  11. ↑ Newfoundland & Labrador Votes 2003. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
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