Todd Russell
Todd Norman Russell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament for Labrador | |
| In office May 24, 2005 – May 30, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Lawrence D. O'Brien |
| Succeeded by | Peter Penashue |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 22, 1966 St. Anthony, Newfoundland[1] |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Profession | Inuit affairs leader[2] |
Todd Norman Dwayne Russell (born December 22, 1966) is a Canadian politician and was the Liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador from 2005 to 2011.
Early life
[edit]Russell was born in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and raised in William's Harbour. He is Métis, of Inuit descent,[3] and was the president of NunatuKavut, an unrecognised Indigenous Canadian group,[2] until his by-election win. He was educated at Memorial University in St. John's.
Federal politics
[edit]On May 24, 2005, Russell won a by-election in the riding of Labrador, vacated by the death of Liberal MP Lawrence D. O'Brien.[4] His victory consolidated the standing of the federal Liberals in the minority parliament, which made it easier for the Liberals to pass budget legislation. He was re-elected in the 2006 and 2008 federal elections and served as the Critic for Aboriginal Affairs in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet.
In the 2011 election, Russell was defeated by Conservative Peter Penashue.[5][6]
After federal politics
[edit]Lower Churchill Project
[edit]Following his electoral defeat Russell returned to the position of NunatuKavut president and has been vocal in his opposition to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.[7]
Other activities
[edit]In 2016, Russell called on the federal government to apologize for the treatment of residential school survivors from Newfoundland and Labrador.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "SaltWire | Newfoundland & Labrador".
- ^ a b "NunatuKavut Inuit identity dispute has long history". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. March 2, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ Swift, Diana (March 2014). "Russell: true son of the land". Anglican Church of Canada. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
- ^ "Liberals win crucial byelection". CBC News. 24 May 2005. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ^ "Penashue margin of victory reduced". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ "Innu leader delivers Conservatives from N.L. shutout". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2011-05-02. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
- ^ "NunatuKavut protesting against Muskrat Falls project". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ^ "NCC calls on PM to apologize following residential school settlement". thelabradorian.ca.
External links
[edit]- Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador
- Liberal Party of Canada MPs
- Inuit from Newfoundland and Labrador
- Canadian people of Inuit descent
- 1966 births
- Living people
- Canadian Anglicans
- People from Labrador
- Memorial University of Newfoundland alumni
- Indigenous Members of the House of Commons of Canada
- 21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada
- Indigenous leaders in Atlantic Canada