T. J. Burke

Infobox_Politician


imagesize = 150px
name = Thomas Jack Burke
small| caption =
birth_date = 1972
birth_place = Los Angeles, California
residence =
office1 = MLA for Fredericton North
term_start1 = 2003
term_end1 = 2006
predecessor1 = D. Peter Forbes
successor1 = riding dissolved
office2 = MLA for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis
term_start2 = 2006
term_end2 =
predecessor2 = new district
successor2 = incumbent
party = Liberal
religion =
occupation =

Thomas Jack "T.J." Burke BA LLB QC (born Los Angeles, California in 1972)cite web |url = http://www1.gnb.ca/legis/bios1/bio-e.asp?idNo=107&version=e |title = Hon. Thomas J. Burke , Q.C. |accessdate = 2007-11-23 |date = 2007-05-14 |work = Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick |publisher = Government of New Brunswick |language = English] is a New Brunswick lawyer and politician. Burke was the first Aboriginal who hails from Tobique First Nation selected to a legislature anywhere in Atlantic Canada. He is currently the Attorney General of New Brunswick.

Burke's family returned to Canada in 1978, and he was raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick. After completing high school, Burke enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served from 1990 to 1995. Following his stint in the U.S. military, Burke again returned to Canada and completed a Bachelor of Arts at St. Thomas University and a law degree at Dalhousie University. He practiced law in Fredericton from being called to the bar until he was named to the cabinet.

Burke became active in New Brunswick Liberal politics in 2002 when he was recruited by Greg Byrne to assist in Shawn Graham's leadership campaign. He ran for and won the Liberal nomination for Fredericton North in 2003 and was elected to the legislature in June of that year defeating incumbent Progressive Conservative D. Peter Forbes.

He became the member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for the riding of Fredericton North following the 2003 election and served in the shadow cabinet. He served until September 26, 2005 as critic for both Justice and Aboriginal Affairs when he left those portfolios for the Department of Energy.

Burke received national attention on December 15, 2005 when the legislature unanimously passed his motion declaring 2006 the "year of the war bride". [cite press release | title = Opening of New Brunswick war brides exhibit (06/11/10) | publisher = Communications New Brunswick | date = 2006-11-10 | format = | language = English | url = http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/wcs/2006e1390wc.htm | accessdate = 2007-11-23 | quote = Nearly one year ago, Burke introduced a motion in the New Brunswick Legislature declaring 2006 the Year of the War Bride, making New Brunswick the first province to do so.] Still practicing law as an MLA, Burke argued his first case before the Supreme Court of Canada on May 17 2006.

He was re-elected to the legislature in the 2006 election to the new district of Fredericton-Nashwaaksis. [cite web |url = http://www.cbc.ca/nbvotes2006/riding/042/ |title = NEW BRUNSWICK VOTES 2006: Fredericton-Nashwaaksis |accessdate = 2007-11-23 |date = 2006-09-20 |format = |work = CBC.ca |publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |language = English] He joined the cabinet as Attorney General. [cite news | title = N.B. Liberals cut gas tax on first day in power | url = http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/10/03/nb-cabinet.html | format = | work = CBCnews New Brunswick | publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 2006-10-03 | accessdate = 2007-11-23 | language = English | quote = T.J. Burke was named minister of justice and attorney general, the first aboriginal member of a New Brunswick cabinet.]

He is married, with three daughters.

References