Thomas J. Burke, Q.C. Bios - 56th Legislature

Thomas J. Burke (known by friends as T.J.) was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1972. In 1978, his family relocated to Fredericton, New Brunswick, where T.J. spent his childhood on Fredericton's Northside.

He graduated from Fredericton High School in 1990. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Military and served as a paratrooper and forward observer for an infantry company with the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was honourably discharged in 1995.

Upon his return to Fredericton, he successfully completed the Bachelor of Arts degree program at the University of New Brunswick. He continued his studies and received a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Dalhousie University.

A Liberal MLA, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the provincial general election held June 9, 2003, to represent the constituency of Fredericton North. As a member of the official opposition, he was the critic for interests relating to Aboriginal affairs, energy, and justice. He was a member of the Legislature’s Standing Committees on Private Bills and Law Amendments. He also served on the Select Committee on Public Automobile Insurance.

Re-elected September 18, 2006, as MLA for the new electoral district of Fredericton-Nashwaaksis, he was sworn in as Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Consumer Affairs, and subsequently served as Minister of the Environment. He chairs the Standing Committee on Law Amendments.

He lives in Fredericton North where he formerly practiced law as a partner with Gaffney & Burke. He has argued at every level of Court in Canada, including as lead Counsel in the matter of Her Majesty the Queen v. Darrell Gray at the Supreme Court of Canada in 2006, which was successfully rendered in October of 2006.

He is married to Tanya (nee Atkinson) of Miramichi, and they have three daughters: Ashley, Molly and Cindy.

Website Link(s)

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Constituency Office