Jim is a dedicated champion for workers and families in this province. Born and raised in St. John’s, father of 3, and grandfather to 2, Jim understands the challenges faced by everyday people in our province. After teaching in rural and urban classrooms for 32 years, Jim was the President of the NLTA from 2013 to 2017 when he retired that year and assumed the role of national vice president for the National Teachers Association until the following year.
Since being elected as the NDP member for St. John’s Centre in 2018, Jim has been a dedicated voice for labour in this province. He has held government to account for their cuts to the public service, their use of attrition to cut jobs. He’s also been known to race to a picket line in the middle of the night when an employer leverages local enforcement to try and break up a picket line at a distribution facility in St. John’s.
Within the NL NDP Caucus Jim serves as interim leader and critic on a number of areas across government including Immigration, Skills, & Labour, Education, and the NL Housing Corporation. He is the NL NDP representative on the Basic Income Committee and other legislative committees. He is focused on giving a voice to those who go unheard. For 40 years he has been an active member of St. Vincent de Paul serving on their executive, and establishing an affordable housing program in St. John’s.
John C. Maxwell said, “Every person has a longing to be significant; to make a contribution; to be part of something noble and purposeful.” Jim believes it is that longing which underpins the New Democratic Party.