Yvonne Jones
Encyclopedia
Yvonne Jones is a Canadian
politician and former leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
. She currently represents the riding
of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
, and was one of only three Liberal incumbents re-elected in the province's 2007 provincial election
. Jones was the sole candidate to run for the permanent leadership of the Liberal party in its Spring 2011 leadership convention. On August 9, 2011, she announced her resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, due to health reasons.
, after losing the Liberal nomination for the riding to Dumaresque. She later joined the Liberal caucus in the legislature and was re-elected in 1999, 2003
and 2007
.
In July 2010, it was announced that she would be a guest speaker at the Canadian women’s program of the 48th Canadian Regional Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentarians. Taking place in Regina, Saskatchewan from July 11–17, 2010.
of the Liberal Party after party leader Gerry Reid
was defeated in his riding on election night. She is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
. The Liberal Party originally planned to hold a leadership convention to select a new, permanent leader in 2008, but has postponed the vote twice. Jones has continued to serve as interim leader during this period of time, and in December 2009, announced her intention to run for the permanent leadership when the convention was to be scheduled.
The first priority was the provincial energy plan and how that would impact Labrador.
Her second priority was the fishery. She maintained that many claims have been made about rationalization in the fishery over the last four years but no definitive plan was issued. Prior to the 2007 election, Jones referred to the fishery as the “future” of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Her third priority was health care, specifically referring to nurses. When asked if more funding should be put in health care, Jones replied that a full review of the health care system should be performed so that more effective solutions regarding the existing system should be found.
over protection for former AbitibiBowater workers. Speaker of the House Roger Fitzgerald
called Jones out on the remark and at the end of question period, she apologized.
In June 2010, she criticized Roger Fitzgerald
, the Speaker of the House of Assembly for being very unbalanced in a lot of his rulings. She also accused him of constantly singling her out, and constantly naming her in the House of Assembly. She eventually submitted an apology to the House of Assembly, and noted that she is often drowned out by heckling Progressive Conservatives.
of The Straits - White Bay North held a by-election
, to replace Minister of Transportation and Works
, Trevor Taylor
, who resigned on October 2, 2009. Liberal candidate Marshall Dean
won the election taking nearly 48% of the vote and beating the Progressive Conservative candidate by 126 votes.
, the party's support has not risen above those levels. For the majority of time since the election their support has been in the mid-teens according to polls conducted by Corporate Research Associates (CRA). Jones' own popularity has consistently remained lower than her own party's; CRA's quarterly polls on Newfoundland and Labrador politics have found that no more than 11% of those surveyed have felt Jones would make the best premier. A NTV Telelink poll conducted in February 2011 found that 13% of decided voters would support the Liberal Party and that 12% thought Jones was the best choice to be premier.
The results of the NTV Telelink poll led former Liberal provincial and federal cabinet minister John Efford
to criticize Jones's leadership. Efford said that Jones would not become premier and while he did not call on her to resign as leader, he did say that "it's clear what she ought to do in the face of poor polling results".
A CRA poll in March 2011 saw Jones' personal popularity rise to 18%, her highest level since becoming Liberal leader in 2007. Her personal popularity was also tied with that of her party. On June 7, 2011, CRA released a poll showing that Jones' popularity had dropped slightly to 16% but her party's support had risen to 22%. While the Progressive Conservatives still held a large lead in the poll, at 57%, the Liberals are now being challenged for second place with the New Democrats
, who are now statistically tied with the Liberals garnering 20% support.
The Liberal Party leadership election was held in May 2011. Jones had previously announced her plans to run for the permanent Liberal leadership in December 2009. She later elaborated that she would focus her leadership on rebuilding the party and drawing attention to the "plight" of poorer, rural areas of the province. On July 9, 2010, she officially submitted nomination papers to appear as a candidate on the ballot. However, on July 30, 2010, nominations closed with Jones as the only candidate for the party's leadership, and on July 30, she was unofficially acclaimed leader.
On August 13, 2010, Jones announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer
in July. She had surgery
on August 16. While she was receiving treatment, Kelvin Parsons
served as interim leader. Jones returned to work full time when the House of Assembly opened for the spring session in March 2011.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and former leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the provincial wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is the Official Opposition and currently holds six seats in the provincial legislature.-Origins:The party originated in...
. She currently represents the riding
Electoral district (Canada)
An electoral district in Canada, also known as a constituency or a riding, is a geographical constituency upon which Canada's representative democracy is based...
of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair
Cartwright-L'Anse Au Clair
Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011, the are 3,131 eligible voters living within the district....
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
, and was one of only three Liberal incumbents re-elected in the province's 2007 provincial election
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007
The 47th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 9, 2007 to elect members of the 46th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 18th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Campaign:...
. Jones was the sole candidate to run for the permanent leadership of the Liberal party in its Spring 2011 leadership convention. On August 9, 2011, she announced her resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, due to health reasons.
Political career
She served as Mayor of Mary's Harbour, Labrador from 1991 to 1996. In 1996, she was elected to the House of Assembly in the 1996 general election as an independent candidate, defeating two-term Liberal MHA Danny DumaresqueDanny Dumaresque
Danny Dumaresque is a Canadian politician. He represented the riding of Eagle River in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1989 to 1996 as a member of the Liberal Party....
, after losing the Liberal nomination for the riding to Dumaresque. She later joined the Liberal caucus in the legislature and was re-elected in 1999, 2003
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2003
The 46th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 21, 2003, to elect the 48 members of the 45th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 17th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada...
and 2007
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007
The 47th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 9, 2007 to elect members of the 46th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 18th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Campaign:...
.
In July 2010, it was announced that she would be a guest speaker at the Canadian women’s program of the 48th Canadian Regional Conference of Commonwealth Parliamentarians. Taking place in Regina, Saskatchewan from July 11–17, 2010.
Liberal leader
On November 15, 2007, she was officially named the interim leaderInterim leader
An interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
of the Liberal Party after party leader Gerry Reid
Gerry Reid
Gerry Reid was the Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. He initially served as interim leader from 2005 to 2006, until Jim Bennett replaced him in February 2006...
was defeated in his riding on election night. She is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the provincial wing of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is the Official Opposition and currently holds six seats in the provincial legislature.-Origins:The party originated in...
. The Liberal Party originally planned to hold a leadership convention to select a new, permanent leader in 2008, but has postponed the vote twice. Jones has continued to serve as interim leader during this period of time, and in December 2009, announced her intention to run for the permanent leadership when the convention was to be scheduled.
Issues and priorities
When first named interim leader in 2007, Jones clearly named and laid out her top three priorities.The first priority was the provincial energy plan and how that would impact Labrador.
Her second priority was the fishery. She maintained that many claims have been made about rationalization in the fishery over the last four years but no definitive plan was issued. Prior to the 2007 election, Jones referred to the fishery as the “future” of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Her third priority was health care, specifically referring to nurses. When asked if more funding should be put in health care, Jones replied that a full review of the health care system should be performed so that more effective solutions regarding the existing system should be found.
Controversial statements
In April 2009, she attracted attention when during question period in the House of Assembly she referred to the Progressive Conservative backbenchers as "Yahoos". As she was questioning Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Minister Shawn SkinnerShawn Skinner
Shawn Skinner MHA, is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Skinner served as the province's Minister of Natural Resources from December 2010 until 2011....
over protection for former AbitibiBowater workers. Speaker of the House Roger Fitzgerald
Roger Fitzgerald
Roger Fitzgerald is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He represented the district of Bonavista South from 1993 to 2011 and served as Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
called Jones out on the remark and at the end of question period, she apologized.
In June 2010, she criticized Roger Fitzgerald
Roger Fitzgerald
Roger Fitzgerald is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He represented the district of Bonavista South from 1993 to 2011 and served as Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
, the Speaker of the House of Assembly for being very unbalanced in a lot of his rulings. She also accused him of constantly singling her out, and constantly naming her in the House of Assembly. She eventually submitted an apology to the House of Assembly, and noted that she is often drowned out by heckling Progressive Conservatives.
The Straits - White Bay North by-election
On October 27, 2009, the districtElectoral district
An electoral district is a distinct territorial subdivision for holding a separate election for one or more seats in a legislative body...
of The Straits - White Bay North held a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
, to replace Minister of Transportation and Works
Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
, Trevor Taylor
Trevor Taylor (politician)
Trevor Taylor is a Canadian politician. He formerly represented the riding of The Straits - White Bay North in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly...
, who resigned on October 2, 2009. Liberal candidate Marshall Dean
Marshall Dean
Marshall Dean is a Canadian politician and businessman. He represented the district of The Straits - White Bay North in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, as a member of the Liberal Party...
won the election taking nearly 48% of the vote and beating the Progressive Conservative candidate by 126 votes.
Public opinion
Under Jones' leadership the Liberal Party has remained in second place in public opinion polls. After receiving 22% in the 2007 general electionNewfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007
The 47th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 9, 2007 to elect members of the 46th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 18th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Campaign:...
, the party's support has not risen above those levels. For the majority of time since the election their support has been in the mid-teens according to polls conducted by Corporate Research Associates (CRA). Jones' own popularity has consistently remained lower than her own party's; CRA's quarterly polls on Newfoundland and Labrador politics have found that no more than 11% of those surveyed have felt Jones would make the best premier. A NTV Telelink poll conducted in February 2011 found that 13% of decided voters would support the Liberal Party and that 12% thought Jones was the best choice to be premier.
The results of the NTV Telelink poll led former Liberal provincial and federal cabinet minister John Efford
John Efford
Ruben John Efford, PC is a former Canadian politician.-Provincial politics:...
to criticize Jones's leadership. Efford said that Jones would not become premier and while he did not call on her to resign as leader, he did say that "it's clear what she ought to do in the face of poor polling results".
A CRA poll in March 2011 saw Jones' personal popularity rise to 18%, her highest level since becoming Liberal leader in 2007. Her personal popularity was also tied with that of her party. On June 7, 2011, CRA released a poll showing that Jones' popularity had dropped slightly to 16% but her party's support had risen to 22%. While the Progressive Conservatives still held a large lead in the poll, at 57%, the Liberals are now being challenged for second place with the New Democrats
New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial political party in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The party is the successor to the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and the Newfoundland Democratic Party...
, who are now statistically tied with the Liberals garnering 20% support.
Liberal leadership election
- See: Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election, May 2011
The Liberal Party leadership election was held in May 2011. Jones had previously announced her plans to run for the permanent Liberal leadership in December 2009. She later elaborated that she would focus her leadership on rebuilding the party and drawing attention to the "plight" of poorer, rural areas of the province. On July 9, 2010, she officially submitted nomination papers to appear as a candidate on the ballot. However, on July 30, 2010, nominations closed with Jones as the only candidate for the party's leadership, and on July 30, she was unofficially acclaimed leader.
Resignation
Jones announced on August 9, 2011, that she was resigning as Liberal leader upon her successor being named. Jones stated that her white blood cell count had not recovered after her breast cancer treatment and that her immune system was too weak to fight an election as leader. She will still seek re-election in her own district.Personal life
Jones resides in Mary's Harbour.On August 13, 2010, Jones announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in July. She had surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
on August 16. While she was receiving treatment, Kelvin Parsons
Kelvin Parsons
Kelvin Parsons is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He represented the district of Burgeo and La Poile from 1999 to 2011...
served as interim leader. Jones returned to work full time when the House of Assembly opened for the spring session in March 2011.