Todd Russell
Encyclopedia
Todd Norman Russell is a Canadian
politician and was the Liberal
member of Parliament
for the riding of Labrador
, Newfoundland and Labrador
from 2005 to 2011.
. He is of Inuit
descent and was the president of Nunatukavut
until his by-election win. He was educated at Memorial University in St. John's
.
in the riding of Labrador, vacated by the death of Liberal MP Lawrence O'Brien
. His victory consolidated the standing of the federal Liberals in the minority
parliament, which made it easier for the Liberals to pass budget legislation. He was re-elected in the 2006 and 2008 elections and served as the Critic for Aboriginal Affairs in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet
.
In the 2011 election, Russell was defeated by Conservative
Peter Penashue
.
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 was the Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
member of Parliament
Canadian House of Commons
The House of Commons of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign and the Senate. The House of Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 308 members known as Members of Parliament...
for the riding of Labrador
Labrador (electoral district)
Labrador is a federal electoral district in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1949....
, 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...
from 2005 to 2011.
Early life
Russell was born in William's Harbour, LabradorWilliam's Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador
William's Harbour is a settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador....
. He is of Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
descent and was the president of Nunatukavut
Nunatukavut
Nunatuĸavut or NunatuKavut means "Our ancient land" in the ancestral Inuktitut dialect of the NunatuKavummuit people. The Inuit region encompasses Southern Labrador, from the Churchill River, South to Lodge Bay and West to the extent of the official border between Quebec and Labrador...
until his by-election win. He was educated at Memorial University in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
.
Entrance to politics
On May 24, 2005, Russell won a by-electionBy-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in the riding of Labrador, vacated by the death of Liberal MP Lawrence O'Brien
Lawrence O'Brien
Lawrence David O'Brien was a Canadian politician.O’Brien represented Labrador in the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal from 1996 until his death in 2004...
. His victory consolidated the standing of the federal Liberals in the minority
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
parliament, which made it easier for the Liberals to pass budget legislation. He was re-elected in the 2006 and 2008 elections and served as the Critic for Aboriginal Affairs in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet
Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet (Canada)
The Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet of the 39th Canadian parliament is listed below. Members are drawn from the Liberal Party of Canada, and most are members of their parliamentary caucus...
.
In the 2011 election, Russell was defeated by Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
Peter Penashue
Peter Penashue
Peter Penashue, PC, MP is a Canadian politician from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada currently serving as the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada...
.