John Betts
Encyclopedia
John Willis Betts, is a Canadian
teacher and politician, who is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
for the riding of Moncton Crescent.
Betts earned an ice hockey
scholarship to Gordon College
in Boston
, Massachusetts
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Education
and a Master's Degree in Education Administration
from the University of Moncton.
Betts was a long time member of the Moncton city council
, having been elected in 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995 and 1998. He resigned from council upon his election to the legislature in 1999
. He was re-elected to the legislature in 2003
and 2006
.
He sits as a Progressive Conservative
. From 2003-2006, his party held only a one seat majority which could have collapsed upon the long term absence of any of its members. Betts, who previously had a quadruple heart bypass
in 1994, was hospitalized in early 2005 with what was thought to be a minor heart attack
forcing the government to delay several votes. Betts since returned to work in good heath having only suffered severe indigestion.
On December 7, 2005, he was named deputy speaker replacing Trevor Holder
who had been elevated to the cabinet
. He ceased being deputy speaker on August 18, 2006 with the dissolution of the legislature
for a general election.
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...
teacher and politician, who is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
for the riding of Moncton Crescent.
Betts earned an ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
scholarship to Gordon College
Gordon College (Massachusetts)
Gordon College is a liberal arts college located on the former Princemere estate in Wenham, Massachusetts, northeast of Beverly. Founded by Baptist minister A. J...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Education
Bachelor of Education
A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a teacher in schools.-North America:...
and a Master's Degree in Education Administration
Master of Education
The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...
from the University of Moncton.
Betts was a long time member of the Moncton city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, having been elected in 1986, 1989, 1992, 1995 and 1998. He resigned from council upon his election to the legislature in 1999
New Brunswick general election, 1999
The 34th New Brunswick general election was held on June 7, 1999, to elect 55 members to the 54th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada. It marked the debut of both Camille Thériault and Bernard Lord as leaders of the Liberals and...
. He was re-elected to the legislature in 2003
New Brunswick general election, 2003
The 35th New Brunswick general election was held on June 9, 2003, to elect 55 members to the 55th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada...
and 2006
New Brunswick general election, 2006
The 36th New Brunswick general election was held on September 18, 2006, to elect 55 members to the 56th New Brunswick Legislative Assembly, the governing house of the province of New Brunswick, Canada....
.
He sits as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick
The Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick is a centre-right political party in New Brunswick, Canada. It has its origins in the pre-Canadian confederation Conservative Party that opposed the granting of responsible government to the colony...
. From 2003-2006, his party held only a one seat majority which could have collapsed upon the long term absence of any of its members. Betts, who previously had a quadruple heart bypass
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and colloquially heart bypass or bypass surgery is a surgical procedure performed to relieve angina and reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease...
in 1994, was hospitalized in early 2005 with what was thought to be a minor heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
forcing the government to delay several votes. Betts since returned to work in good heath having only suffered severe indigestion.
On December 7, 2005, he was named deputy speaker replacing Trevor Holder
Trevor Holder
Trevor Arthur Holder, is a New Brunswick politician. He is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick representing the electoral district of Saint John Portland and a government MLA...
who had been elevated to the cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
. He ceased being deputy speaker on August 18, 2006 with the dissolution of the legislature
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
for a general election.