Preceded by Kathy Dunderdale Name Cathy Bennett Succeeded by riding dissolved Role Canadian Politician | Preceded by first member Residence St. John's, Canada Political party Liberal Party | |
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Party Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | ||
Boardroom table to kitchen table continuous improvement in parenting cathy bennett at tedxstjohns
Cathy Bennett is a Canadian in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, who represents the electoral district of Virginia Waters in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.
Contents
- Boardroom table to kitchen table continuous improvement in parenting cathy bennett at tedxstjohns
- Cathy bennett on the need for change
- Background
- Minister of Finance
- Abuse in office
- Awards and honors
- References
Bennett was first elected in a 2014 by-election to succeed former Premier Kathy Dunderdale, who had resigned earlier in the year. She defeated her Progressive Conservative opponent by 40 votes.
In 2013, Bennett ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party, coming in third. She served as Minister of Finance in the Ball government.
Cathy bennett on the need for change
Background
Bennett received a High School diploma in 1982.
Bennett is a prominent business person in Newfoundland, owning and operating numerous restaurants throughout the province. She was also a significant contributor and fundraiser for St. John's first Ronald McDonald House. Bennett previously served as the chairperson of the St. John's Board of Trade and governor of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.
Minister of Finance
Bennett became Minister of Finance for the provincial government after the Liberal Party won 31 out of 40 seats in the 2015 general election.
On April 14, 2016 Bennett revealed the provincial government's budget which implements austerity measures. She criticized the high amount of spending by the government from 2003-15 led by the Progressive Conservative Party.
Bennett resigned as Finance Minister on July 31, 2017. She will continue as MHA for Windsor Lake.
Abuse in office
In an article in the National Observer, Bennett shared that she faces body-shaming and abuse from disappointed constituents. Some of these constituents offered that the best solution to her policy would be kill herself or "All Newfoundlanders should put a bounty on her head. She is a witch." She is quoted saying,"Language that starts with the shaming and the insults and the verbal abuse is the beginning steps that lead to [physical violence]."
Awards and honors
2013 CEO of the Year - Atlantic Business Magazine
2012 Top 25 Women of Influence