Eugene McGinley, Q.C. Bios - 56th Legislature

Eugene McGinley was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in the provincial general election held September 18, 2006. He is the first MLA for the new electoral district of Grand Lake-Gagetown. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on February 6, 2007. From October 31, 2007, until November 12, 2008, he served as Minister of State for Seniors and Minister of State for Housing. He is a member of the Standing Committees on Crown Corporations, Estimates and Law Amendments. He sits on the Standing Committee on Life Long Learning.

Following his election in the provincial election held June 9, 2003, he represented the constituency of Grand Lake during the 55th Legislature. He was a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills, and the Standing Committee on Law Amendments. As a member of the official opposition, he was the critic for interests relating to seniors.

He was born in Chipman and graduated from high school there in 1953. In 1957, he graduated from UNB. with his B.A. (Honours in Economics) and, in 1958, he obtained a Master of Arts Degree (Economics). He was a Sir James Dunn Scholar. He earned his Bachelor of Civil Law Degree from UNB in 1962 and he studied international and civil law in Texas. From 1963 to 1991 he practiced law in Bathurst, NB, where he had an extensive practice as a labour arbitrator. He was honoured with the designation of Queen's Counsel in 1985.

He was twice elected (by-election December 11, 1972; general election November 18, 1974) to the provincial Legislature to represent the city of Bathurst where he and his late wife, Alberta, raised their family of five children. He has been active in Liberal politics since he was 17 years old.

He was president of the Lions Club, New Brunswick Lung Association, Victorian Order of Nurses, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He chaired the Bathurst Planning Appeal Board and was research economist with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. Prior to being elected in 2003, he had completed five years as Chairperson of the New Brunswick Labour and Employment Board.

Eugene McGinley is the proud father of 3 sons, 2 daughters, 2 step-daughters and 12 grandchildren. He resides in Chipman, New Brunswick, with his wife, Anne Marie.

Website Link(s)

Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick Constituency Office