John Haggie

Summary

John Alastair Haggie[4][5] is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 2015 provincial election.[6] He represents the electoral district of Gander as a member of the Liberal Party.[6]

John Haggie
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
Assumed office
June 14, 2023
Preceded byKrista Howell
Lieutenant GovernorJudy Foote, Joan Marie Aylward
Minister of Education in Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
July 6, 2022 – June 14, 2023
Preceded byTom Osborne
Succeeded byKrista Howell
Minister of Health and Community Services in Newfoundland and Labrador
In office
December 14, 2015[1] – July 6, 2022
PremierDwight Ball
Andrew Furey
Preceded bySteve Kent
Succeeded byTom Osborne
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
for Gander
Assumed office
November 30, 2015
Preceded byKevin O'Brien
Personal details
BornFebruary 1, 1954[2][3]
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Political partyLiberal
ResidenceGander, Newfoundland and Labrador
OccupationRetired general surgeon

Early life edit

Haggie was born to a mother whose maiden surname was Wilson in Manchester, England, in March 1954. His father died when he was at a very young age, and his mother's younger brother Glyn helped raise him.[5] Haggie was educated at William Hulme's Grammar School, after which he completed his medical education at Victoria University of Manchester in 1977. He trained in general surgery in the North West Region, culminating in earning his Fellowship in 1981. Subsequently, after a two-year fellowship at the Christie Hospital and Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, he received a doctorate in cancer research in 1987.

Move to Newfoundland and career edit

After working as a surgeon, tutor, and a lecturer at universities in Manchester and Liverpool, Haggie immigrated to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1993. He practiced as a general surgeon with the Grenfell Region Health Services in St. Anthony until 1997, when he relocated his practice to the James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander. He also served as president of the Canadian Medical Association from 2011 to 2012.[7][8]

Politics edit

Haggie was appointed to cabinet in the Ball government as Minister of Health and Community Services[1] on December 14, 2015. He was re-elected in the 2019 provincial election. On August 19, 2020 Haggie was reappointed Minister of Health and Community Services in the Furey government.[9] At the time he was the longest serving NL Minister of Health and Community Services in thirty six years.

Haggie was re-elected in the 2021 provincial election.[10] Following the election, he was reappointed Minister of Health and Community Services.[11] On July 6, 2022, Haggie was appointed Minister of Education.[12] On June 14, 2023, he was appointed Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.[13]

Personal life edit

Haggie had three children with his first wife, Jane Elizabeth (nee Wilson) - Hollie, Jennifer, and Elizabeth. Jane died at age 52 on May 25, 2005 in Gander.[14] He is currently married to Jeannette Augot, a registered nurse employed by the Central Health Regional Medical Authority.[5]

His favorite book is Shōgun by James Clavell.[5] He also holds an interest in competitive handgun shooting, having tried out to become a squad member of the Welsh national team prior to immigrating to Canada.[5]

On January 1, 2022, Haggie announced on his Facebook page that he tested positive for COVID-19.[15]

Electoral record edit

2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election: Gander
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Haggie 3,358 70.93 +12.36
Progressive Conservative Jamie Harnum 1,228 25.94 -15.49
New Democratic Dawn Lahey 148 3.13
Total valid votes 4,734
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Eligible voters
Liberal hold Swing +13.93
Source(s)
"Officially Nominated Candidates General Election 2021" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
"NL Election 2021 (Unofficial Results)". Retrieved 27 March 2021.
2019 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Haggie 3,311 58.6 -9.0
Progressive Conservative Ryan Wagg 2,342 41.4 +34.4
Total valid votes 5,653 100
Total rejected ballots 73
Turnout 5,726 61.6 +14.1
Eligible voters 9,296
2015 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Haggie 3,151 67.56 +36.65
New Democratic Lukas Norman 1,184 25.39 +8.57
Progressive Conservative Ryan Menchion 329 7.05 -45.22
Total valid votes 4,664 99.53
Total rejected ballots 22 0.47
Turnout 4,686 47.46 -5.61
Eligible voters 9,874
Liberal gain from Progressive Conservative Swing +22.61
Source: Elections Newfoundland and Labrador[16]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Dwight Ball, new Liberal cabinet sworn in at Government House". CBC News. December 14, 2015. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  2. ^ "FreeBMD Entry Info".
  3. ^ "Newfoundland and Labrador Health Minister John Haggie answers 20 questions | Saltwire".
  4. ^ "FreeBMD Entry Info". www.freebmd.org.uk. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  5. ^ a b c d e Sweet, Barb. "Newfoundland and Labrador Health Minister John Haggie answers 20 questions | Saltwire". www.saltwire.com. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  6. ^ a b "Full list of winners in Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News. November 30, 2015. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  7. ^ "N.L. surgeon Dr. John Haggie begins term as president of Canadian doctors group". Global News. August 24, 2011. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  8. ^ "MD to MHA? Gander doc John Haggie wins Liberal nomination". CBC News. October 9, 2014. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  9. ^ "Newfoundland and Labrador's new premier doesn't clear the deck, but he certainly shuffled it". The Chronicle Herald, August 19, 2020.
  10. ^ "Here are all the MHAs elected in the Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News. March 27, 2021.
  11. ^ "Premier Furey Appoints New Cabinet". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Apr 8, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Mullin, Malone; Kennedy, Alex (6 July 2022). "Surprise N.L. cabinet shuffle sees John Haggie, Tom Osborne switch roles". CBC News.
  13. ^ Furey Shuffles Cabinet in Wake of Derrick Bragg’s Cancer Diagnosis. VOCM News, June 14, 2023.
  14. ^ "Jane Haggie - Wednesday, May 25th, 2005". www.staceysfuneralhome.ca. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  15. ^ "Newfoundland and Labrador's health minister says he's tested positive for COVID-19". CTV News Atlantic. 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  16. ^ "2015 Provincial General Election Report" (PDF). Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2018.