{{Short description|Canadian politician}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Perry Trimper | image = Perry Trimper.jpg | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = | office = Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly | term_start = August 8, 2017 | term_end = September 6, 2019 | predecessor = Tom Osborne | successor = Scott Reid (''acting'') | office2 = Minister of Environment and Conservation, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Service NL, Minister Responsible for Climate change, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs, Minister Responsible for the Government Purchasing Agency, Minister Responsible for the Labour Relations Agency, Minister Responsible for the Multi-Materials Stewardship board, Minister Responsible for Workplace NL, And Registrar General | term_start2 = December 14, 2015 | term_end2 = July 31, 2017 | predecessor2 = Dan Crummell | successor2 = Eddie Joyce | assembly1 = Newfoundland and Labrador House of | constituency_AM1 = Lake Melville | term_start1 = November 30, 2015 | term_end1 = October 14, 2025 | predecessor1 = Keith Russell | successor1 = Keith Russell | party = Liberal (2015–2020, since 2022)<br />Independent (2020–2022) | website = | occupation = }}
'''Perry Trimper''' is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the 2015 provincial election,<ref name=wins>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/provincial-election-candidates-1.3343999|title=Full list of winners in Newfoundland and Labrador election|publisher=CBC News|date=November 30, 2015|accessdate=2017-08-29}}</ref> 2019<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=International|first=Radio Canada|date=2019-05-17|title=Provincial election results in rare minority government in Newfoundland and Labrador|url=https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2019/05/17/provincial-election-results-in-rare-minority-government-in-newfoundland-and-labrador/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=RCI {{!}} English|language=en-US}}</ref> and 2021<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mullin|first=Malone|date=27 March 2021|title=Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead.|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-election-results-2021-1.5966912|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> provincial elections. He represented the electoral district of Lake Melville as a Liberal until 2025. Trimper worked for 30 years in northern resource development and wildlife ecology in Canada and Russia. As a principal scientist with Jacques Whitford and later Stantec, he was involved with numerous environmental research and assessment projects in Labrador.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2020/exec/0821n02/|title=Premier Furey Appoints Parliamentary Secretary|date=August 21, 2020|publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Executive Council|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020 }}</ref>
==Politics== ===Government caucus (2015–2020)=== Following the 2015 provincial election,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cabinet-ministers-defeated-1.3344727|title=4 Tory cabinet ministers fall to defeat in Liberal rout|publisher=CBC News|date=December 1, 2015|accessdate=3 April 2016}}</ref> Trimper was appointed to the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador as minister of environment and conservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cabinet-swearing-in-live-stream-1.3363654|title=Dwight Ball, new Liberal cabinet sworn in at Government House|publisher=CBC News|date=December 14, 2015|accessdate=2017-08-29}}</ref> As part of a government structure change in February 2017, Trimper was appointed minister for Service NL while retaining responsibility for Francophone Affairs and Climate Change.<ref name="releases.gov.nl.ca">{{Cite web|title=Provincial Government Announces Plan for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions|url=https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2016/exec/0607n02.aspx|access-date=2021-04-12|website=www.releases.gov.nl.ca}}</ref> Notable legislation enacted during his time as minister included the first provincial bill dealing with climate change (Bill 34)<ref name="releases.gov.nl.ca"/> and tougher penalties related to impaired driving (Bill 68).<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 March 2017|title=Zero tolerance for drivers under 22 as NL toughens drunk driving laws.|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/new-changes-drinking-driving-highway-traffic-act-1.4006411|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> He was dropped from cabinet on July 31, 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cathy-bennett-resigns-1.4228807|title=Cathy Bennett out, Tom Osborne in as finance minister amid cabinet shuffle|publisher=CBC News|date=July 31, 2017|accessdate=2017-08-29}}</ref> and proposed by Premier Dwight Ball as a candidate for Speaker of the House of Assembly to replace Tom Osborne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ntv.ca/perry-trimper-running-for-speaker-as-tories-slam-house-opening-in-summer|title=Perry Trimper running for speaker as Tories slam House opening in summer|publisher=NTV|date=August 1, 2017|accessdate=May 24, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829203108/http://ntv.ca/perry-trimper-running-for-speaker-as-tories-slam-house-opening-in-summer/|archivedate=August 29, 2017}}</ref> Trimper was elected as the 44th Speaker in a special August 2017 sitting of the Assembly defeating fellow Liberal Pam Parsons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/house-speaker-election-1.4238069|title=Trial by fire: Trimper elected House Speaker, presides over unexpected question period|publisher=CBC News|date=August 8, 2017|accessdate=2017-08-29}}</ref> He was the province's first Speaker from a Labrador district.
As an emissary of the House of Assembly, Speaker Trimper travelled with a senior official, Larry Weatherbie, to Turkey in early 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-25|title=Speaker of the House of Assembly Tables Report on Visit to Turkey as Emissary of the People of Newfoundland and Labrador|url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2018/hoa/0425n05/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=News Releases|language=en-CA}}</ref> Working through diplomatic channels, the delegation was able to secure permission to finally establish a monument to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at the First World War Battlefield in Gallipoli. Closer to home, Trimper initiated bilateral relations with the Assemblée nationale du Québec.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-21|title=House of Assembly Completes First Meeting of the Québec-Newfoundland and Labrador Parliamentary Association|url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2018/hoa/0621n03/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=News Releases|language=en-CA}}</ref> He oversaw the legislature during a harassment scandal between MHAs that led to a new workplace policy and legislative changes.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Harassment scandal sparks proposed changes in N.L. legislature|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/harassment-scandal-sparks-proposed-changes-in-n-l-legislature|access-date=2021-04-12|newspaper=National Post|date=8 April 2019 |language=en-CA|last1=McKenzie-Sutter |first1=Holly }}</ref>
He was re-elected in the 2019 provincial election<ref name=":0" /> whereupon he continued uncontested as the Speaker. Trimper re-entered cabinet on September 6, 2019 as Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Environment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/update-unexpected-provincial-cabinet-shuffle-government-house-in-st-johns-349211/ |title=UPDATE: Unexpected provincial cabinet shuffle at Government House in St. John's|publisher=The Telegram|date=September 6, 2019|first=Kenn|last=Oliver|accessdate=September 16, 2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414135850/https://www.saltwire.com/newfoundland-labrador/news/local/update-unexpected-provincial-cabinet-shuffle-government-house-in-st-johns-349211/|archivedate=April 14, 2023}}</ref> Trimper resigned from cabinet on September 13, 2019 after comments critical of the Innu Nation were left on the voicemail of an Innu Nation staffer and publicly revealed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/innu-nation-perry-trimper-1.5281421|title=N.L. cabinet minister apologizes after describing Innu as playing 'race card' in leaked voicemail recording|date=Sep 12, 2019|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-protest-1.5285064|title=Protesters demand Perry Trimper's resignation as MHA|date=Sep 16, 2019 |publisher=CBC News|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020}}</ref> He attempted to regain his position of Speaker of the Assembly following the convening of the fall 2019 session but was defeated by fellow Liberal MHA Scott Reid.
On August 21, 2020, Trimper was appointed as parliamentary secretary to the minister of education and the minister of finance as well as special advisor to the premier on climate change.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-parliamentary-secretary-1.5695291|title=Furey appoints Perry Trimper as parliamentary secretary|date=Aug 21, 2020 |publisher=CBC News|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020}}</ref> While serving as a back-bencher he led Private Member Resolutions on establishing a network of electric vehicle charge stations,<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 November 2019|title=THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House supports the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in its efforts to establish a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the province.|url=https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Hansard/ga49session1/19-11-20.htm|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> achieving net zero emissions by 2050,<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 June 2020|title=THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House supports the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in their commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050|url=https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Hansard/ga49session1/20-06-10.htm|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> increasing food self-sufficiency<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 September 2020|title=THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Assembly supports the continued growth of the agricultural sector and supports the initiatives of government to meet the goal of increasing provincial food self-sufficiency to 20 per cent by 2022.|url=https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Hansard/ga49session1/20-09-16.htm|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref> and reducing the prevalence of vaping in youth.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 October 2020|title=THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this hon. House refer the following reference question to the Social Services Committee for immediate action and report back with recommendations by March 31, 2021: What can be done to reduce the prevalence of youth vaping in Newfoundland and Labrador?|url=https://www.assembly.nl.ca/HouseBusiness/Hansard/ga49session1/20-10-21.htm|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
===Independent (2020–2022)=== On October 20, 2020, Trimper said transient people in Happy Valley-Goose Bay were "choosing" a risky lifestyle, in the wake of a video that showed an Inuk man being thrown to the ground during an arrest in the town by a municipal enforcement officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-remains-lake-melville-mha-1.5778155|title='I don't quit': Perry Trimper vows to remain as MHA, as Innu Nation says there should be no 3rd chance|date=Oct 27, 2020 |publisher=CBC News|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020}}</ref> On October 26, 2020, Trimper announced his resignation as parliamentary secretary and informed he would withdraw his nomination as a Liberal candidate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-ends-bid-1.5776852 |title=Perry Trimper halts re-election bid in wake of comments about homeless people|date=Oct 26, 2020 |publisher=CBC News|accessdate=Nov 4, 2020}}</ref> On November 10, 2020, Trimper announced that he had resigned from the Liberal Party and would seek re-election as an Independent.<ref name="TrimperIND">{{cite news |title=Perry Trimper to run as Independent in next election, resigns from Liberal caucus |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-independent-election-1.5797130 |accessdate=13 November 2020 |publisher=CBC News |date=10 November 2020}}</ref> In the 2021 provincial election, Trimper was re-elected as an Independent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Here are all the MHAs elected in the Newfoundland and Labrador election |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-election-list-of-winners-1.5965873 |publisher=CBC News |date=March 27, 2021}}</ref>
In 2022, Trimper was one of the few MHAs to publicly oppose the Bay Du Nord offshore oil project and released a video detailing the environmental impacts.<ref>[https://twitter.com/PerryTrimper/status/1509955323586621448/video/1 On the topic of ‘green oil’] Perry Trimper Twitter</ref>
===Government caucus (2022–2025)=== On September 12, 2022, Premier Furey announced that Trimper would be rejoining the Liberal caucus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Independent MHA Perry Trimper rejoins Liberal caucus|website=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-liberal-party-1.6580018}}</ref>
In the 2025 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election Trimper supported John Abbott.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Abbott, with 5 MHAs at his side, proves he's not alone in his bid for Liberal leadership |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/abbott-leadership-support-1.7482436 |access-date=2025-06-02 |author=''Terry Roberts'' |website=CBC News}}</ref>
On May 20, 2025, Trimper made his final speech to the House of Assembly as he is not seeking re-election.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members' Statements - NL House of Assembly - May 20 2025 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO7z_tzi4FA |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Perry Trimper Bids 'Adieu' to House Colleagues |url=https://vocm.com/2025/05/20/perry-trimper-bids-adieu-to-house-colleagues/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=VOCM}}</ref>
== Electoral history ==
{{2021 Newfoundland and Labrador general election/Lake Melville}}
{{Canadian election result/top|NL|2019|percent=yes|change=yes|}} {{CANelec|NL|Liberal|Perry Trimper|1,517|45.8}} {{CANelec|NL|PC|Shannon John Tobin|1,189|35.9}} {{CANelec|NL|Independent|Jim Learning|603|18.2}} {{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|||}} {{CANelec/total|Total rejected ballots|||}} {{CANelec/total|Turnout|||}} {{CANelec/total|Eligible voters||}} {{end}}
{{CANelec/top|NL|2015|percent=yes|change=yes|}} {{CANelec|NL|Liberal|Perry Trimper|1,840|62.0%|+46.77}} {{CANelec|NL|PC|Keith Russell|850|28.6%|-21.39}} {{CANelec|NL|NDP|Arlene Michelin-Pittman|280|9.4%|-25.39}} {{CANelec/total|Total valid votes|2,970|100.0}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons-inline}} {{Ball Ministry}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trimper, Perry}} Category:Living people Category:Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador MHAs Category:Members of the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Category:People from Labrador Category:Speakers of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Conservation biologists Category:Independent MHAs in Newfoundland and Labrador Category:21st-century members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly