Dianne Whalen
Encyclopedia
Dianne Whalen was a Canadian
politician and provincial Cabinet Minister in Newfoundland and Labrador
.
, raised in Port Blandford
and lived for 40 years in Paradise
where she served as mayor for 18 years.
back to power in 2003 after 14 years in opposition. She was elected to represent the district
of Conception Bay East and Bell Island
in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
. Whalen was re-elected in 2007 and served as MHA and Minister until her death in 2010. Whalen was appointed to Danny Williams'
first Cabinet in 2003 as the Minister of Government Services. She remained in the Government Services portfolio till 2007 when she was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works. On October 31, 2008, she became Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, and as Registrar General.
In the fall of 2009 Whalen went off on sick leave after being hospitalized as a result of illness. With the re-opening of the House of Assembly in March 2010 Whalen resumed her duties as MHA and Minister. On October 3, 2010, Premier Williams announced that Whalen had died following a fight with cancer.
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 provincial Cabinet Minister in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
.
Early life
Whalen was born in Come By Chance, Newfoundland and LabradorCome By Chance, Newfoundland and Labrador
Come By Chance is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 1 on Placentia Bay.Located in this town is Newfoundland's only oil refinery, the Come By Chance Refinery operated by North Atlantic Refining Company, which has a capacity of .According to...
, raised in Port Blandford
Port Blandford, Newfoundland and Labrador
Port Blandford is a town in eastern Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is in Division No. 7 on Clode Sound. The population in 1940 was 539 and 631 by 1956.According to the 2001 Statistics Canada Census:*Population: 580...
and lived for 40 years in Paradise
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador
Paradise is a town on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town is a part of the St. John's Metropolitan Area. The town borders the City of St. John's, the City of Mount Pearl, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, and the town of Conception Bay South...
where she served as mayor for 18 years.
Political career
Whalen was one of several star candidates that helped bring the Progressive ConservativesProgressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
For pre-1949 Conservative parties see Conservative parties in Newfoundland The Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a centre-right provincial political party in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Originally founded in 1949 the party has formed the Government of...
back to power in 2003 after 14 years in opposition. She was elected to represent the district
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 Conception Bay East and Bell Island
Conception Bay East and Bell Island
Conception Bay East - Bell Island is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. As of 2011 there are 11,011 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...
. Whalen was re-elected in 2007 and served as MHA and Minister until her death in 2010. Whalen was appointed to Danny Williams'
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
first Cabinet in 2003 as the Minister of Government Services. She remained in the Government Services portfolio till 2007 when she was appointed Minister of Transportation and Works. On October 31, 2008, she became Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister Responsible for Emergency Preparedness, and as Registrar General.
In the fall of 2009 Whalen went off on sick leave after being hospitalized as a result of illness. With the re-opening of the House of Assembly in March 2010 Whalen resumed her duties as MHA and Minister. On October 3, 2010, Premier Williams announced that Whalen had died following a fight with cancer.