Bernadette Jordan
Honorific prefixThe Honourable
OfficeConsul General of Canada in Boston
Term startDecember 4, 2023
PredecessorRodger Cuzner
Prime ministerJustin Trudeau
Mark Carney
Office 1Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
Term start 1November 20, 2019
Term end 1October 26, 2021
Prime minister 1Justin Trudeau
Predecessor 1Jonathan Wilkinson
Successor 1Joyce Murray
Office 2Minister of Rural Economic Development
Prime minister 2Justin Trudeau
Term start 2January 14, 2019
Term end 2November 20, 2019
Predecessor 2Position established
Successor 2Maryam Monsef
Riding 3South Shore—St. Margarets
Parliament 3Canadian
Term start 3October 19, 2015
Term end 3September 20, 2021
Predecessor 3Gerald Keddy
Successor 3Rick Perkins
Birth dateApril 7, 1963 (age 63)
Birth placeMontreal, Quebec, Canada
ProfessionDevelopment officer
Alma materSt. Francis Xavier University
PartyLiberal
SpouseDavid Jordan

Bernadette Jordan (born April 7, 1963) is a Canadian politician who served as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard from 2019 to 2021. A member of the Liberal Party of Canada, she was elected to represent the riding of South Shore—St. Margarets in the House of Commons in the 2015 and 2019 elections, before being defeated by Rick Perkins in 2021.[1]

Early life and education

Born in Montreal to Scottish immigrants, her family moved to Middle LaHave, Nova Scotia in 1975.[2][3] She participated in Girl Guides of Canada programs as a Brownie, a Guide, and as an adult volunteer member.[4] Jordan graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.[5]

Before politics

From 2006 to 2014, Jordan worked as a development officer for the Health Services Foundation of the South Shore, where she was in charge of organizing fund raising events for health services foundation.[6][7]

Political career

She narrowly won the Liberal Party's nomination in the South Shore riding by 22 votes of the 450 cast over Jennifer Naugler, school board chairwoman for the South Shore Regional School Board.[6] Jordan was sworn into the federal cabinet on November 20, 2019, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, which is responsible for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian Coast Guard.[8] She served as Minister of Rural Economic Development from January until November 2019.[9]

Jordan was defeated in her riding in the 2021 federal election by conservative candidate Rick Perkins.

In 2023, Jordan was named Consul General of Canada in Boston.[10]

Environment

As Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Jorden has committed to protecting ocean habitats from harmful activities, allowing marine ecosystems and species to recover and better withstand the impacts of climate change. As minister Jorden has committed to working towards protecting 30% by 2030. While working towards new ambitious global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity at the 15th Conference of Parties in Kunming, China in 2021.[11] [12][13] [14]

Personal life

She and her husband, Dave, have three children.[15]

References

  1. ^ Jordan wins federal Liberal nomination lighthousenow.ca November 5, 2014 p.1
  2. ^ the “Wave” with Bernadette Jordan LighthouseNOW
  3. ^ Withers, Paul (October 20, 2015). "Bernadette Jordan only woman elected this time for Nova Scotia". CBC News. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  4. ^ "Campfire on the Hill". GirlGuidesCANBlog. 2016-10-27. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  5. ^ 2014 St. Francis Xavier University Alumni Chapter Contacts St. Francis Xavier University
  6. ^ Moase, Nick (November 5, 2014). "Bernadette Jordan named federal Liberal candidate for South Shore". SaltWire Network. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Meet Bernadette Jordan, Liberal.ca.
  8. ^ Quon, Alexander (20 November 2019). "Jordan, LeBlanc among 4 MPs from Atlantic Canada named to federal cabinet". Global News. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Bernadette Jordan named as Nova Scotia's new federal cabinet minister". January 14, 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Former Liberal fisheries minister Bernadette Jordan named consul general in Boston". CBC News. The Canadian Press. December 4, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  11. ^ "Canada joins Global Ocean Alliance: Advocates for protecting 30 per cent of the world's ocean by 2030". 9 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Minister Jordan Highlights Importance of Growing Canada's Ocean Economy"
  13. ^ "Canada signs on to international ocean protection target of 30 per cent by 2030 | SaltWire"
  14. ^ "The Future of Canada's Fisheries - Minister Bernadette Jordan". 30 October 2020.
  15. ^ South Shore - St. Margaret's - Nova Scotia Liberal Party, liberal.ns.ca. Accessed 6 November 2022.