Lynn Verge
Encyclopedia
Lynn Verge is a former Canadian lawyer and politician
in Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada. She represented the Corner Brook electoral district
of Humber East
in the Newfoundland House of Assembly
from 1979 to 1996. In 1995 Verge served became the first woman to lead a political party in Newfoundland and Labrador when she succeeded Len Simms
as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party
; she was also the first female to serve as the Leader of the Official Opposition
in the House of Assembly.
as Minister of Education from 1979 to 1985, and as Minister of Justice from 1985 to 1989, in the government of Brian Peckford
. Verge was one of the first two women, along with colleague Hazel Newhook
, ever appointed to the provincial cabinet.
Notably, in the 1989 election
, she defeated Liberal Party
leader Clyde Wells
in Humber East, even though his party won the most seats in the election.
She subsequently became the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1995 following the resignation of Len Simms
, becoming the first woman to lead a political party in the province. The Liberal Party under Brian Tobin
won a large majority government in the 1996 election
and Verge stepped down as leader after failing to win re-election.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
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...
, Canada. She represented the Corner Brook electoral 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 Humber East
Humber East
Humber East is a provincial electoral district for the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.Includes the eastern section of Corner Brook as well as Humber Village, Little Rapids, Massey Drive, Pasadena and Steady Brook. There is a mix of urban and rural areas...
in the Newfoundland 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...
from 1979 to 1996. In 1995 Verge served became the first woman to lead a political party in Newfoundland and Labrador when she succeeded Len Simms
Len Simms
Leonard Simms is a former politician in Newfoundland and Labrador and a public servant. Since 2005 he has been chairman and chief executive officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, a provincial crown corporation....
as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive 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...
; she was also the first female to serve as the Leader of the Official Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador)
The Leader of the Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.This list is incomplete...
in the House of Assembly.
Politics
She served in the Executive Council of Newfoundland and LabradorExecutive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
as Minister of Education from 1979 to 1985, and as Minister of Justice from 1985 to 1989, in the government of Brian Peckford
Brian Peckford
Alfred Brian Peckford, PC served as the 3rd Premier of Newfoundland. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservatives from 1979 until his retirement in 1989....
. Verge was one of the first two women, along with colleague Hazel Newhook
Hazel Newhook
Hazel Newhook was a Canadian politician, who sat in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1979 to 1985 as a member of the Progressive Conservatives...
, ever appointed to the provincial cabinet.
Notably, in the 1989 election
Newfoundland general election, 1989
The 42nd Newfoundland general election was held on April 20, 1989 to elect members of the 41st General Assembly of Newfoundland, the 13th general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada...
, she defeated Liberal Party
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...
leader Clyde Wells
Clyde Wells
Clyde Kirby Wells, QC was the fifth Premier of Newfoundland and was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1999 to March 2009...
in Humber East, even though his party won the most seats in the election.
She subsequently became the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1995 following the resignation of Len Simms
Len Simms
Leonard Simms is a former politician in Newfoundland and Labrador and a public servant. Since 2005 he has been chairman and chief executive officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, a provincial crown corporation....
, becoming the first woman to lead a political party in the province. The Liberal Party under Brian Tobin
Brian Tobin
Brian Vincent Tobin, PC is a Canadian businessman and former politician. Tobin served as the sixth Premier of Newfoundland from 1996 to 2000. Tobin was also a prominent Member of Parliament and served as a Cabinet Minister in Jean Chrétien's Liberal government.- Early life, education, and family...
won a large majority government in the 1996 election
Newfoundland general election, 1996
The 44th Newfoundland general election was held on February 22, 1996 to elect members of the 43rd General Assembly of Newfoundland, the 15th general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada. It was won by the Liberal Party...
and Verge stepped down as leader after failing to win re-election.