Jim Dinn
MHA
B.A., B.Ed, M.Ed.
Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
Assumed office
Interim: October 19, 2021 – March 27, 2023
March 28, 2023
Preceded byAlison Coffin
House Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
In office
April 2021 – October 19, 2021
Succeeded byJordan Brown
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for St. John's Centre
Assumed office
May 16, 2019
Preceded byGerry Rogers
President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association
In office
2013–2017
Preceded byLily B. Cole
Succeeded byDean Ingram
President of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland
In office
2008–2018
Succeeded byJim McCarthy
Personal details
Born1960 (age 63–64)
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Political partyNew Democratic Party
SpouseMichelle
RelationsPaul Dinn (Brother)
Children3
Residence(s)St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Alma materMemorial University of Newfoundland (BA, B.Ed), Mount Saint Vincent University (M.Ed)
OccupationTeacher

James Gerard Dinn[1] is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 2019 provincial election.[2] He represents the electoral district of St. John's Centre as a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party. He was re-elected in the 2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election.[3]

Dinn also served as president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (2013-2017)[4][5][6] and had also served on the executive board of the Canadian Teachers' Federation. He also served as president of the Salmonid Association of Eastern Newfoundland.[7] Dinn did his teaching internship at Netteswell Comprehensive School in England and later taught at Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School.[1]

Politics

Dinn won the NDP nomination in St. John's Centre ahead of the 2019 election after incumbent MHA Gerry Rogers opted not to seek re-elected. He defeated his nearest opponent, PC candidate and former city councilor Jonathan Galgay, by more than 900 votes. Dinn earned the highest vote share of any NDP candidate.[8][9]

In November 2019, Jim Dinn and his brother, fellow MHA Paul Dinn, both endorsed a Liberal proposal to use highway cameras to reduce speeding. Paul Dinn spoke about their brother Mike who was killed in 2009 while cycling.[10]

Leadership (2021-)

Interim leader (2021-2023)

On October 19, 2021, he was named interim leader of the New Democratic Party, following the resignation of Alison Coffin.[11] In 2022, the NDP caucus grew after former PC MHA Lela Evans joined the party.[12][13]

Dinn and his party were the only political party in Newfoundland and Labrador that opposed the Bay du Nord offshore oil project and instead called for the province to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Following the announcement that the project had been approved by the federal government in April 2022, Dinn called it "bittersweet".[14] He praised the project for the benefits that it would provide for many workers and their families while also claiming that the provincial and federal governments were ignoring the impacts of climate change.

In March 2022, Dinn praised the confidence and supply agreement between the federal NDP and the Liberal Party of Canada.[15]

Permanent leader (2023-)

Leadership bid

Dinn initially rejected the possibility of running for the role of NDP leader, instead preferring to only serve in an interim capacity. However, Dinn expressed interest in running for permanent leadership in early 2023.[16]

On February 16, 2023, Dinn announced that he would run for the role of permanent leader.[17]

On March 28, 2023, Dinn was acclaimed as permanent leader after the nomination deadline passed with no other candidates.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Interim N.L. NDP leader and former NLTA president Jim Dinn answers 20 Questions | SaltWire".
  2. ^ "Here's the list of the winning candidates in the 2019 N.L. election". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, May 17, 2019.
  3. ^ "Here are all the MHAs elected in the Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News. March 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "Dinn new NLTA President | SaltWire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
  5. ^ "Dale Kirby made professional disagreements personal, says former teachers' union head". CBC. May 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "House of Assembly - NL - James Dinn". www.assembly.nl.ca. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Jim Dinn".
  8. ^ MacEachern, Daniel (May 16, 2019). "Exuberant NDP celebrates 'new era' as it holds St. John's seats, and wins back Labrador West". CBC News. Retrieved Nov 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Roberts, Kelly-Anne (May 17, 2019). "'We have the balance of power,' Alison Coffin says as NDP wins three seats". NTV.
  10. ^ Kelland, Ariana (November 8, 2019). "Personal loss poignant moment during House of Assembly debate". CBC News.
  11. ^ "Alison Coffin steps down as leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democrats". CTV Atlantic, October 19, 2021.
  12. ^ Smith, Greg. "Former PC MHA Joins NDP". VOCM. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  13. ^ "Former PC MHA Lela Evans joins NDP caucus". CBC News. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Bay du Nord Decision Will be Short Relief for Workers on Oil and Gas Rollercoaster". NL NDP. 6 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Federal Confidence and Supply Agreement Steps Towards and Equitable Pandemic Recovery: Dinn". NL NDP. 22 March 2022.
  16. ^ Cowan, Peter (15 January 2023). "Jim Dinn may seek permanent NDP leadership role as party looks ahead to 2023". CBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  17. ^ Cowan, Peter (16 February 2023). "Jim Dinn announces candidacy to take over N.L. NDP leadership full time". CBC News. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Jim Dinn removes 'interim' tag after being acclaimed NDP leader". CBC News. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
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