Mike Murphy (New Brunswick politician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Barry "Mike" Murphy, (born January 25, 1958) is a New Brunswick
lawyer
and politician
.
Murphy graduated from Moncton High School
in 1976, from the University of New Brunswick
with a Bachelor of Business Administration
in 1980 and a Bachelor of Laws
in 1983. He received his Master of Laws
from Osgoode Law School in 2002.
A noted personal injury lawyer
, Murphy was president of the New Brunswick Liberal Association
from 1988 - 1993.
In 2001, he was mentioned as a potential candidate for the leadership of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, but dropped out after forming an early campaign team. He supported Shawn Graham
, the eventual winner.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
in the 2003 election
, then the only Liberal to win a seat in Moncton. Following the election, he was named as opposition critic for the Department of Family and Community Services a post he held until being elevated to finance
critic in early 2005.
He was re-elected in the 2006 election
and joined the cabinet
as the Minister of Health.
Prior to the 2006 election, he was often rumoured to be a leading successor to Shawn Graham
for the leadership of the Liberal Party. In June 2009, Murphy became the Attorney General and Justice Minister. He resigned from cabinet in January 2010 to spend more time with his family. However there are rumours that Murphy resigned over the NB Power to Hydro-Quebec deal, he has claimed this to be inaccurate. He returned to practice with his former firm Murphy Collette Murphy after an absence of 3.5 years as minister of the crown. Subsequent to his resignation as member of the legislature and minister he refused to give interviews and remained mum on all political matters leading to speculation of a planned return to public life in the future. In the Spring of 2010, Mike took a partner position at the prestigious law firm of Cox and Palmer in Moncton. Currently, Mike is seeking the position as leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick since Shawn Graham stepped down after losing the 2010 New Brunswick election.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Murphy graduated from Moncton High School
Moncton High School
Moncton High School is a high school and current heritage property in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada that was founded in 1935. It is housed in a unique building that has gone through many renovations through the years and currently shut down due to severe water damage caused by excessive age and...
in 1976, from the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
with a Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a bachelor's degree in Commerce and business administration. In most universities, the degree is conferred upon a student after four years of full-time study in one or more areas of business concentrations; see below...
in 1980 and a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
in 1983. He received his Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
from Osgoode Law School in 2002.
A noted personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
A personal injury lawyer is a lawyer who provides legal representation to those who claim to have been injured, physically or psychologically, as a result of the negligence or wrongdoing of another person, company, government agency, or other entity....
, Murphy was president of the New Brunswick Liberal Association
New Brunswick Liberal Association
The New Brunswick Liberal Association , more popularly known as the New Brunswick Liberal Party or Liberal Party of New Brunswick, is one of the two major political parties in the Canadian province of New Brunswick...
from 1988 - 1993.
In 2001, he was mentioned as a potential candidate for the leadership of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, but dropped out after forming an early campaign team. He supported Shawn Graham
Shawn Graham
Shawn Michael Graham, MLA is a New Brunswick politician, who served as the 31st Premier of New Brunswick. He received a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree in 1991 and a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1993, he worked for New Brunswick's civil service before being elected to the Legislative...
, the eventual winner.
He was first elected to 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...
in the 2003 election
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...
, then the only Liberal to win a seat in Moncton. Following the election, he was named as opposition critic for the Department of Family and Community Services a post he held until being elevated to finance
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
critic in early 2005.
He was re-elected in the 2006 election
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....
and joined the cabinet
Executive Council of New Brunswick
The Executive Council of New Brunswick is the cabinet of that Canadian province....
as the Minister of Health.
Prior to the 2006 election, he was often rumoured to be a leading successor to Shawn Graham
Shawn Graham
Shawn Michael Graham, MLA is a New Brunswick politician, who served as the 31st Premier of New Brunswick. He received a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree in 1991 and a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1993, he worked for New Brunswick's civil service before being elected to the Legislative...
for the leadership of the Liberal Party. In June 2009, Murphy became the Attorney General and Justice Minister. He resigned from cabinet in January 2010 to spend more time with his family. However there are rumours that Murphy resigned over the NB Power to Hydro-Quebec deal, he has claimed this to be inaccurate. He returned to practice with his former firm Murphy Collette Murphy after an absence of 3.5 years as minister of the crown. Subsequent to his resignation as member of the legislature and minister he refused to give interviews and remained mum on all political matters leading to speculation of a planned return to public life in the future. In the Spring of 2010, Mike took a partner position at the prestigious law firm of Cox and Palmer in Moncton. Currently, Mike is seeking the position as leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick since Shawn Graham stepped down after losing the 2010 New Brunswick election.