Gerry Byrne — Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte

Gerry Byrne was born and raised in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador and was first elected to Parliament on March 25, 1996 representing the constituency of Humber – St. Barbe – Baie Verte. He was re-elected in 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006 and again in 2008 with a strong re-affirmation by constituents in his riding. He currently serves as Tourism Critic.

From January 16, 2002 until December 12, 2004 Mr. Byrne served in the federal cabinet as Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. He was appointed by the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien and was the youngest Member of Parliament from Newfoundland and Labrador to serve in the Federal Cabinet. At the age of 35, he was also one of the youngest in the history of Canada to serve in federal cabinet.

Mr. Byrne has held the Parliamentary Secretary positions to the Minister of Natural Resources, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and has been Associate Critic for Competitiveness and the New Economy. During the last session of Parliament, he sat as a member of the Caucus Committee on Economic Prosperity.

Mr. Byrne completed his post-secondary studies at Dalhousie University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in biology. After graduation, he returned to the province and worked as an economic development officer on the Great Northern Peninsula. In this capacity Mr. Byrne became involved in various projects including business and technical development of both renewable and non-renewable resource sectors.

Mr. Byrne is married to Denise Gibbons of Corner Brook and they have one son, Gerald Stephen.

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