Roger Simmons

Roger Simmons, born on June third, nineteen thirty-nine, hails from Lewisporte, Newfoundland and Labrador. He began his career in education, teaching within the Salvation Army school system after completing his studies at the Salvation Army College for Officers, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Boston University. His dedication to education led him to serve as principal of Grant Collegiate and superintendent of the Green Bay Integrated School Board in Springdale.

In nineteen sixty-eight, Simmons took on a leadership role as president of the Newfoundland Teachers' Association, although he soon resigned to pursue a political career. His political journey began with his election as a Liberal member of the House of Assembly for Hermitage in nineteen seventy-three, followed by re-election in nineteen seventy-five for Burgeo-Bay D'Espoir. In nineteen seventy-nine, he transitioned to federal politics, winning a seat in the House of Commons as the Liberal MP for Burin—St. George's.

During his time in federal politics, Simmons held various positions, including parliamentary secretary to the minister of the environment and the minister of state for science and technology. His brief tenure as minister of state for mines in Pierre Trudeau's cabinet in August nineteen eighty-three was marked by controversy, as he resigned shortly after due to an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police regarding unpaid income tax, setting a record for the shortest federal Cabinet career in Canadian history.

After losing his seat in the nineteen eighty-four election, Simmons returned to provincial politics in nineteen eighty-five as the Liberal MHA for Fortune-Hermitage, where he briefly served as interim Leader of the Opposition. He made a comeback to the federal House of Commons in the nineteen eighty-eight election and represented Canada at the Rio Summit in nineteen ninety-two. Although he was re-elected in nineteen ninety-three, he faced defeat in nineteen ninety-seven against Progressive Conservative candidate Bill Matthews.

In nineteen ninety-eight, Simmons was appointed Consul General for Canada in Seattle, a role he held for five years before relocating to Vancouver and joining the Gowlings law firm, where he continued to influence public policy as a consultant.