Walter Noel

For the American investment manager Walter M. Noel Jr., see Fairfield Greenwich Group.

Walter Noel is a Canadian politician. He was first elected to Newfoundland's House of Assembly as the Member of the House of Assembly (MHA) for Pleasantville in 1989, and re-elected in 1993. Noel was re-elected with the assistance of local Nfld Reform Party of Canada organizers. Noel also worked on the campaign to stop the Wells administration from privatizing Nfld & Lab Hydro. During this campaign, Noel worked again with local Reform Party of Canada organizers, also with St. John’s deputy mayor at the time, Andy Wells, former PC leader, Lynn Verge, former NDP leader, Jack Harris, members of the local Nfld Arts community such as, Greg Malone and Anita Best, former head of Nfld & Lab Hydro, Cyril Abery and Nfld historian, John Fitzgerald. He was elected to represent the new Virginia Waters district in 1996 and 1999. Noel attempted two political comebacks, running for the Liberal Party of Canada unsuccessfully in the 2004 and 2008 federal elections.

Education and experience

Noel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He operated his own business prior to being elected, is a former president of the St. John's Downtown Development Corporation, and was a founding member of the Virginia Waters Conservation Society.

Provincial politics

Under Premier Brian Tobin, Noel was appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Government Services and Lands. As Minister of Government Services and Lands in the late days of the Tobin government, Noel appointed a Consumer Advocate for automobile insurance rate hearings, oversaw the establishment of the Petroleum Products Pricing Commission, and vigorously enforced consumer protection regulations and promoted e-commerce initiatives. Under Premier Roger Grimes, he was appointed Minister of Mines and Energy and served in this role until the Danny Williams' Progressive Conservatives defeated the Grimes Liberals in the general election of October 2003.[1][2] Noel was personally defeated for re-election by PC candidate Kathy Dunderdale.[3]

Role in NL Legislative spending scandal

In 2007, Noel was implicated in a report by the Auditor General, John Noseworthy, for billing the government over $12,000 which was spent on perfume, women's clothing, and alcohol.[4]

Federal politics

In 2004, Noel unsuccessfully ran as the Liberal candidate in St. John's North against Conservative incumbent Norman Doyle.

In 2008, Noel defeated St. John's realtor, Debbie Hanlon for the Liberal Party of Canada nomination in electoral district of St. John's East.[5] In the general election held that October, Noel came in second to former provincial New Democrat leader, Jack Harris.[6][7][8]

References

  1. ^ "CBC - Newfoundland and Labrador Votes 2003". 2004-12-09. Archived from the original on 2004-12-09. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  2. ^ "Tories sweep to power in Newfoundland and Labrador". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 22, 2003. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  3. ^ "2003 Election Report" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-06.
  4. ^ "Booze, art and hockey tickets cited in N.L. audit". 2007-10-13. Archived from the original on 2007-10-13. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  5. ^ "Hanlon, Noel battle for Grit favour in St. John's East". 3 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Former MP Harris sets sights on St. John's East". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Harris assailed over record at St. John's East debate". CBC News. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  8. ^ "NDP's Harris landslide in St. John's East". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2013.