John Abbott (St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador politician)

John Abbott
MHA
Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 19, 2024
Preceded byFred Hutton
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
June 14, 2023 – July 19, 2024
Preceded byElvis Loveless
Succeeded byFred Hutton
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
In office
April 8, 2021[1] – June 14, 2023
Preceded byBrian Warr
Succeeded byPaul Pike
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for St. John's East-Quidi Vidi
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 18, 2021
Preceded byAlison Coffin
Personal details
Political partyLiberal
ResidenceWitless Bay
OccupationPublic servant

John Abbott is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 2021 provincial election.[2] He defeated the leader of the New Democratic Party, Alison Coffin, to represent the electoral district of St. John's East-Quidi Vidi as a member of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.[3][4]

Politics

In 2020, Abbott ran for leader of the provincial Liberal party losing to frontrunner Andrew Furey.[5]

On April 8, 2021, he was appointed Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development.[6] On May 12, 2021, Supreme Court Justice Donald Burrage rejected Coffin's bid for a recount, arguing that there was not sufficient evidence.[7] Abbott was subsequently sworn in as MHA on May 18, 2021. On June 14, 2023, he was appointed Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.[8]

On July 19, 2024, he was appointed as Minister of Housing and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.[9]

Background

Prior to being elected, Abbott served as executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association - NL Chapter.[10] Abbott was also Deputy Minister of Health in the Williams[11] and Ball administrations.[12][13]

Between 1989 and 1999, Abbott held a number of other senior positions: Assistant Secretary to the Treasury Board, Associate Deputy Minister of Health and Community Services, chairman and CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, Deputy Minister of Works, Services and Transportation and Deputy Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.[14][15]

Election results

2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: St. John's East-Quidi Vidi
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Abbott 2,447 42.95 +9.57
New Democratic Alison Coffin 2,394 42.02 −1.46
Progressive Conservative Vaughn Hammond 856 15.03 −8.11
Total valid votes 5,697
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing −5.52
Source(s)
"Officially Nominated Candidates General Election 2021" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
"NL Election 2021 (Unofficial Results)". Retrieved March 27, 2021.
2020 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election [16][17]
Candidate Ballot 1
Name Votes Points
Andrew Furey 13,645
64.42%		 26,443
66.11%
John Abbott 7,537
35.58%		 13,557
33.89%
Total 21,182 40,000

References

  1. ^ Mike Moore (April 8, 2021). "John Abbott, Pam Parsons among Furey's additions to cabinet". CBC. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Here are all the MHAs elected in the Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News. March 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Mullin, Malone (March 27, 2021). "Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead". CBC News. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Kennedy, Alex (March 30, 2021). "'We pulled it off': Meet the candidates who took down the opposition leaders". CBC News. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  5. ^ Maher, David (August 3, 2020). "Andrew Furey becomes premier-designate, will become 14th premier of Newfoundland and Labrador". Saltwire Network. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  6. ^ "Premier Furey Appoints New Cabinet". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "Judge dismisses Coffin's bid for recount in St. John's East-Quidi Vidi". CBC News. May 12, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  8. ^ Furey Shuffles Cabinet in Wake of Derrick Bragg’s Cancer Diagnosis. VOCM News, June 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Key Portfolios Shift Hands in Newfoundland Cabinet Shake-Up. VOCM News, July 19, 2024.
  10. ^ "CEO John Abbott Granted Leave". Canadian Mental Health Association - Newfoundland and Labrador. June 1, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  11. ^ "N.L. government thrown into 'disarray' by cancer tests, inquiry told". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. May 7, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Roberts, Terry (December 14, 2017). "Meet the bureaucrat poised to shake up N.L.'s health system". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  13. ^ Roberts, Terry (December 18, 2017). "Health minister distances himself from deputy, says Abbott 'one voice of many' in health-care debate". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  14. ^ "Bio: John Abbott". ipolitics.ca. April 23, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  15. ^ "Former N.L. bureaucrat John Abbott first to confirm he will seek Liberal leadership". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  16. ^ "Andrew Furey wins Liberal leadership race, will become 14th premier of N.L." Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  17. ^ Maher, David (August 4, 2020). "Vote breakdown revealed in Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal leadership race". The Telegram. Retrieved January 3, 2021.