Kathy Dunderdale was sworn in as the 10th Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on December 3, 2010, and on
October 11, 2011, became the first female ever elected premier of the province, and the second woman elected to
a premiership in Canada.
Premier Dunderdale grew up in the town of Burin, Newfoundland and Labrador.
She attended Memorial University and worked throughout the province in the
fields of community development, communications, fisheries and social work.
Premier Dunderdale’s legislative career rests on a solid background in
municipal government. She started her public service as town councillor and
eventually Deputy Mayor of Burin, leading into a multitude of leadership roles
as, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and
Director of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. Premier Dunderdale has
also served as President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
Following her election to the House of Assembly as Member for Virginia Waters
in 2003, Premier Dunderdale’s first Cabinet appointment was as Minister of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Rural
Secretariat. In October 2008 she was appointed as Deputy Premier, as well as
Minister of Natural Resources, Minister Responsible for the Forestry and
Agrifoods Agency, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.
Through both her professional and volunteer roles, with a particular focus on
women’s issues and sustainable rural development, Premier Dunderdale has
exhibited an ongoing commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and
its future generations.