Steve Kent
Encyclopedia
Stephen Kent, MHA
(born May 7, 1978) is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador
. He is the Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for the District of Mount Pearl North.
He is also the Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors for Scouts Canada
, an organization he has been part of since 1986.
Kent was born in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
and has lived in Mount Pearl
since 1980. He is married to Janet (Browne) Kent, a teacher and President of FOCUS Driver Training. They live in Mount Pearl with their young sons, Benjamin and Ciaran.
Kent has served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Mount Pearl and he has worked as Chief Executive Officer
for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland, as Executive Director at United Way of Canada
, Newfoundland and Labrador, and as the Manager of Corporate Development at Stirling Communications.
In 2001, he completed a Bachelor's Degree
in Business Administration and a Certificate in Public Administration
, at Memorial University of Newfoundland
. In May 2003, he received his Master's Degree
in Management from McGill University
in Montreal. He earned his degrees while working both as Mayor of the City of Mount Pearl and as the Chief Executive Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland.
In 2004, Kent decided to branch out from service agencies and took a position as Manager of Corporate Development, as of August 2005 Acting Station Manager of OZ FM, the top FM station in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He returned to his community service roots and began working as the Executive Director at United Way, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Early in 2006, he launched The FOCUS Group Consulting to provide management and marketing services to private and volunteer sector organizations.
At present, he and his wife Janet, own Focus Driver Training, which operates four Young Drivers of Canada offices in Newfoundland and Labrador.
for the City of Mount Pearl. In 1997, at age 19, he ran a successful campaign for city council and was elected Deputy Mayor of Mount Pearl (a position assigned to the Councillor with the most votes), the youngest elected official in the city's history. He became the eighth Mayor of Mount Pearl in 2003 when Dave Denine
moved on to provincial politics, and he was elected Mayor by acclamation in 2005.
During his time on city council, Kent was Chair of various committees including the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Human Resources and Finance Committee and the Planning and Use Committee. He also sat on the Economic Development Committee, the Technical Services Committee and the Regional Fire Services Committee. He was also Co-Chair of the Mount Pearl Drug Strategy Committee.
Kent was also the Avalon Director on the Board of Directors for Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and an active member of the Atlantic Mayors Congress.
In 2002, Kent was appointed to a three year term on the Minister's Advisory Committee to review the province's new Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
From January 2003 to October 2004, Kent was part of the Premier's Council on Social Development.
He served as Mayor of Mount Pearl until 2007 when he took a leave of absence to run for provincial politics, and he was elected MHA for the electoral district
of Mount Pearl North with 85%) of the popular vote on October 9, 2007, in the provincial election
. He resigned as Mayor on October 30, 2007 to be sworn in as the representative for Mount Pearl North in the House of Assembly, Newfoundland and Labrador.
At present, Kent is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minster Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The original appointment to the position as Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors for Scouts Canada made in November 2008 was a viceregal
appointment by Her Excellency, Michaëlle Jean
, Governor General of Canada
. He was appointed again in November 2009 by her Excellency and appointed again in 2010 by His Excellency, David Johnston
, Governal General of Canada.
|Progressive Conservative
|Steve Kent
|align="right"|3,727
|align="right"|73.31%
|align="right"|
|-
|NDP
|Kurtis Coombs
|align="right"|994
|align="right"|19.55%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
|Maurice Budgell
|align="right"|363
|align="right"|7.14%
|align="right"|
|}
|-
|Progressive Conservative
|Steve Kent
|align="right"|4751
|align="right"|85.05%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
|Elaine Reid
|align="right"|516
|align="right"|9.24%
|align="right"|
|NDP
|Janice Lockyer
|align="right"|319
|align="right"|5.71%
|align="right"|
|}
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...
(born May 7, 1978) is a Canadian politician 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...
. He is the Member of 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...
for the District of Mount Pearl North.
He is also the Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors for Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada
Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association that, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement...
, an organization he has been part of since 1986.
Kent was born in Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Stephenville is a Canadian town in Newfoundland and Labrador on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland....
and has lived in Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl is the second largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The city is located southwest of St. John's, on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. Mount Pearl is part of the St...
since 1980. He is married to Janet (Browne) Kent, a teacher and President of FOCUS Driver Training. They live in Mount Pearl with their young sons, Benjamin and Ciaran.
Kent has served as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the City of Mount Pearl and he has worked as Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland, as Executive Director at United Way of Canada
United Way of Canada
United Way of Canada is the national organization for the 117 autonomous, volunteer-based United Ways across Canada. United Way campaigns raise money for local groups that address community issues and problems, and the national organization provides leadership, services and coordination to the...
, Newfoundland and Labrador, and as the Manager of Corporate Development at Stirling Communications.
Education
Kent graduated from O'Donel High School in Mount Pearl in 1996, where he had held the position of Student Council President.In 2001, he completed a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Business Administration and a Certificate in Public Administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
, at Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
. In May 2003, he received his Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Management from McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in Montreal. He earned his degrees while working both as Mayor of the City of Mount Pearl and as the Chief Executive Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland.
Career
From April 1999 to September 2004, Kent held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland and the organization saw 1000% growth under his leadership. As part of his commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters, he served as President of the organization's Atlantic Staff Association, and in 2003 was appointed to the Organizational Development Committee.In 2004, Kent decided to branch out from service agencies and took a position as Manager of Corporate Development, as of August 2005 Acting Station Manager of OZ FM, the top FM station in Newfoundland and Labrador.
He returned to his community service roots and began working as the Executive Director at United Way, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Early in 2006, he launched The FOCUS Group Consulting to provide management and marketing services to private and volunteer sector organizations.
At present, he and his wife Janet, own Focus Driver Training, which operates four Young Drivers of Canada offices in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Politics
Kent began his political career as a teenager, first serving on school councils, in Youth Parliament and on the Youth CouncilYouth council
Youth councils are a form of youth voice engaged in community decision-making. Youth councils exist on local, state, provincial, regional, national, and international levels among governments, NGOs, schools, and other entities.-About:...
for the City of Mount Pearl. In 1997, at age 19, he ran a successful campaign for city council and was elected Deputy Mayor of Mount Pearl (a position assigned to the Councillor with the most votes), the youngest elected official in the city's history. He became the eighth Mayor of Mount Pearl in 2003 when Dave Denine
Dave Denine
Dave Denine is a Canadian politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He has served in the provincial cabinet since 2007 and is currently the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs....
moved on to provincial politics, and he was elected Mayor by acclamation in 2005.
During his time on city council, Kent was Chair of various committees including the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Human Resources and Finance Committee and the Planning and Use Committee. He also sat on the Economic Development Committee, the Technical Services Committee and the Regional Fire Services Committee. He was also Co-Chair of the Mount Pearl Drug Strategy Committee.
Kent was also the Avalon Director on the Board of Directors for Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador, and an active member of the Atlantic Mayors Congress.
In 2002, Kent was appointed to a three year term on the Minister's Advisory Committee to review the province's new Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
From January 2003 to October 2004, Kent was part of the Premier's Council on Social Development.
He served as Mayor of Mount Pearl until 2007 when he took a leave of absence to run for provincial politics, and he was elected MHA for the 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 Mount Pearl North with 85%) of the popular vote on October 9, 2007, in the provincial election
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007
The 47th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 9, 2007 to elect members of the 46th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 18th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Campaign:...
. He resigned as Mayor on October 30, 2007 to be sworn in as the representative for Mount Pearl North in the House of Assembly, Newfoundland and Labrador.
At present, Kent is the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minster Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Awards and achievements
In the course of his extensive community service, both volunteer and professional, Kent has been recognized with a variety of awards.- In 2003, he was awarded both the Memorial University of Newfoundland Alumni Association's Alumni Horizon Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, an honour awarded to Canadians who have made outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.
- In 2000, he received the Mount Pearl Chamber of Commerce Best in Business Government Award.
- In 1999, he was named one of Maclean'sMaclean'sMaclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
Magazine's Top 100 Canadians to Watch in the Next Century. - In 1996, he received a YTV Achievement Award for Public Service.
- From 1992-1996, he was named the Mount Pearl Male Youth of the Year, and during that time he also received the Youth Volunteer of the Year award twice.
Community involvement
Since he was very young, Kent has been heavily involved in his community, volunteering his time and energy to improve various aspects of his schools, his city and his province. Some of his more extensive volunteer positions are listed below.- Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors for Scouts Canada, which is a volunteer position
- Founder and Leader of the 1st Royal Newfoundland Constabulary-Mount Pearl Scouting Group
- Member of the Rotary ClubRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
of Waterford Valley - Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland
- Former Assistant Provincial Commissioner for Scouts in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Founding Chair of National Youth Committee for Scouts Canada
- Member of National Volunteer Services Committee
- Vice-Chair of the 2000 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games
- Founding Chair of the Mount Pearl Anti-Vandalism Campaign
- Past President of the Mount Pearl Youth Advisory Council
The original appointment to the position as Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors for Scouts Canada made in November 2008 was a viceregal
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
appointment by Her Excellency, Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean
Michaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
, Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
. He was appointed again in November 2009 by her Excellency and appointed again in 2010 by His Excellency, David Johnston
David Johnston
David Lloyd Johnston is a Canadian academic, author and statesman who is the current Governor General of Canada, the 28th since Canadian Confederation....
, Governal General of Canada.
Electoral history
|-|Progressive Conservative
|Steve Kent
|align="right"|3,727
|align="right"|73.31%
|align="right"|
|-
|NDP
|Kurtis Coombs
|align="right"|994
|align="right"|19.55%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
|Maurice Budgell
|align="right"|363
|align="right"|7.14%
|align="right"|
|}
|-
|Progressive Conservative
|Steve Kent
|align="right"|4751
|align="right"|85.05%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
|Elaine Reid
|align="right"|516
|align="right"|9.24%
|align="right"|
|NDP
|Janice Lockyer
|align="right"|319
|align="right"|5.71%
|align="right"|
|}