Yvonne Jones facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yvonne Jones
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| Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs | |
| In office December 2, 2015 – March 23, 2025 |
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| Minister | Carolyn Bennett |
| Preceded by | Mark Strahl |
| Member of Parliament for Labrador |
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| In office May 13, 2013 – March 23, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Penashue |
| Succeeded by | Philip Earle |
| Leader of the Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| In office November 13, 2007 – January 3, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Gerry Reid |
| Succeeded by | Dwight Ball |
| Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party | |
| In office Interim: November 13, 2007 – May 28, 2011 May 28, 2011 – August 14, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Gerry Reid |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Aylward |
| Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair |
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| In office February 22, 1996 – April 8, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Riding Established |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Dempster |
| Mayor of Mary's Harbour | |
| In office 1991–1996 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | March 15, 1968 Mary's Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Canada (2013-present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador (1999-2013) Independent (1996-1999) |
| Spouse | Joseph Lanzon |
| Residence | Mary's Harbour |
| Alma mater | West Viking College |
| Occupation | Journalist, Researcher, Politician |
| Cabinet | Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (2003) Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture (2003) |
| Website | Official website: http://yvonnejones.liberal.ca/ |
Yvonne Jean Jones (born March 15, 1968) is a Canadian politician. She has worked in government for many years, helping people in Newfoundland and Labrador. From 2013 to 2025, she was a Member of Parliament (MP) in Canada's main government. She represented the area called Labrador as part of the Liberal Party.
In 2015, she became a Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. This role means she helped the minister with important tasks. Yvonne Jones is also a NunatuKavummiut, which is a group of Indigenous people in Canada. She did not run for re-election in 2025.
Before working in the federal government, Yvonne Jones was a politician in Newfoundland and Labrador. From 1996 to 2013, she represented the area of Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair. During her time in provincial politics, she was a Minister of Fisheries. She also led the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador and was the Leader of the Official Opposition.
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Yvonne Jones's Early Career
Yvonne Jones studied journalism and worked for many local newspapers. She also helped people find jobs as an employment counselor.
Becoming a Mayor
From 1991 to 1996, Yvonne Jones was the Mayor of Mary's Harbour, a town in Labrador. This was her first big role in politics.
Joining Provincial Politics
In 1996, Jones decided to run for a seat in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. This is like the provincial parliament. She ran as an independent candidate and won, even though she was not part of a major party at first.
Later, she joined the Liberal Party. She was re-elected many times: in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.
Roles in Government
In 2003, Premier Roger Grimes appointed Yvonne Jones to his cabinet. She became the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. She was also the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She held these jobs until the Liberal government lost the election later that year.
Speaking Up for Indigenous Rights
In 2004, Yvonne Jones was the only member of the House of Assembly to vote against a land claims agreement for the Labrador Inuit. She felt it did not fully include the Metis people. Jones stated, "I am a Metis and I am very proud of who I am." She wanted to make sure the treaty would not stop future claims for Metis people in Labrador.
Jones also spoke out against the Muskrat Falls hydro development.
Leading the Liberal Party
After the 2007 provincial election, Yvonne Jones was one of only three Liberal members re-elected. On November 15, 2007, she became the interim leader of the Liberal Party. This meant she was the temporary leader. She also became the Leader of the Official Opposition. She was the first woman to lead the Liberal Party in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2010, Yvonne Jones officially became the Liberal leader. She was the only person to put her name forward for the job.
Health Challenges and Return
In August 2010, Jones announced she would take a break from her role. She needed treatment for breast cancer. She returned to work in early 2011 and was sworn in as the Liberal leader.
Resigning as Leader
On August 9, 2011, Yvonne Jones announced she was stepping down as leader. Her recovery from breast cancer was slower than she expected. However, she still ran for re-election in her district in the 2011 provincial election and won with a large number of votes.
Working in Federal Politics
In April 2013, Yvonne Jones left her seat in the provincial government. She decided to run for a federal seat in the House of Commons of Canada. She ran as the Liberal candidate for the area of Labrador.
She won the election on May 13, 2013, defeating Peter Penashue. She was sworn in on June 4, 2013.
Key Roles in Ottawa
After being elected, Jones became the Liberal critic for Northern Development. This meant she was the main spokesperson for her party on issues related to Canada's North. She also became Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts committee in 2014.
In December 2015, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. She continued to serve in similar roles, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade in 2018.
Jones was re-elected in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. In 2023, she shared that she had successfully battled breast cancer for a second time.
On January 10, 2025, Yvonne Jones announced that she would not run for re-election in the upcoming federal election.
Images for kids
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Yvonne Jones
