Rodger Cuzner

Rodger Trueman Cuzner (born November 4, 1955) is a Canadian politician and diplomat who currently serves as a Senator for Nova Scotia in the Senate of Canada. He previously served as the Member of Parliament in the House of Commons of Canada for the riding of Cape Breton—Canso and its predecessor, Bras d'Or—Cape Breton, from 2000 to 2019. For most of 2003, he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister under Jean Chrétien, and served as Parliamentary Secretary for Employment, Workforce Development and Labour in the Justin Trudeau government.^[1] Between 2020 and 2023, Cuzner served as the Consul General of Canada to the United States (Boston).

Early life and education

Cuzner was born the second of six children born to Trueman and Kay Cuzner in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He studied physical education at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. He worked as the special event coordinator for the Cape Breton Department of Recreation, Culture and Facilities, where he was responsible for major events like the Millennium Countdown 2000. Cuzner has been very involved with hockey throughout his life. He coached Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Games in 1995 and 1999.

Political career

Cuzner was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada in the House of Commons of Canada, representing the riding of Bras d'Or—Cape Breton and, later, Cape Breton—Canso. He was first elected in 2000.^[2] Cuzner served as Parliamentary Secretary to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien from January 13, 2003, to December 11, 2003, and held other key positions within the Liberal Caucus, including chair of Nova Scotia Caucus, chair of Atlantic Caucus, and Chief Opposition Whip. He also served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.^[3][4]

In his early years in Parliament, Cuzner focused on matters surrounding both Veteran Affairs and Fisheries and Oceans. During the later part of his Parliamentary career, much of his attention was directed toward Workforce Development and National Labour issues.^[5]

As an elected official representing Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island, Cuzner worked with community and industry to further develop the tourism sector through major investments in infrastructure projects, including Cabot Cape Breton's Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, notably becoming two top-rated golf courses in the world.^[5]

Cuzner regularly represented the Liberal Party on the weekly MP panel on CTV News Channel's Power Play, and was regularly asked to appear on other national political affairs programs, on television, and radio.

Cuzner traditionally delivered a humorous, politically themed rewrite of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on the last house sitting before the holiday break.^[6] After his retirement, it was delivered by Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour.^[7]

He was twice voted as "Most Collegial" Member of Parliament by his Parliamentary colleagues, and was described by Maclean's in 2017 as "Parliament's Sense of Humour".^[8][9]

Cuzner was re-elected to a sixth straight term with 74.4% of the vote in the 2015 Canadian federal election.^[10]

On April 26, 2019, Cuzner announced he wouldn't run for re-election in the 2019 election.^[11][12]

Post-political life

On October 31, 2020, it was reported that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Cuzner as the new Consul General to the United States (Boston).^[13][14]

On October 31, 2023, he was summoned to the Senate of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon, on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.^[15]

Personal life

Cuzner and his wife Lynn (née Hopkins) have three children: Mitch, Scott and Brad.

References

1. ^ "Rodger Cuzner". Prime Minister of Canada. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
2. ^ "Liberals stage C.B. comeback". The Chronicle Herald. November 28, 2000. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
3. ^ "Cuzner named parliamentary secretary". Cape Breton Post. December 2, 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
4. ^ Fitz-Morris, James (2 December 2015). "Bill Blair, Adam Vaughan among new parliamentary secretaries". www.cbc.ca. CBC News. Retrieved 2015-12-11.
5. ^ Canada, Global Affairs (2019-03-28). "Rodger Cuzner, Consul General of Canada in Boston, United States". GAC. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
6. ^ Maloney, Ryan (11 December 2015). "Rodger Cuzner's Christmas Poem Mocks Tories, Salutes Kevin Vickers". HuffPost
7. ^ "Liberals recite 2023 Christmas poem in House of Commons tradition". Global News. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
8. ^ "2013 Parliamentarians of the Year - Macleans.ca". Macleans.ca. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
9. ^ "Rodger Cuzner: Parliament's sense of humour - Macleans.ca". Macleans.ca. 2017-11-07. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
10. ^ "Here are Nova Scotia's final riding-by-riding results | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
11. ^ "Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner calls it a career". Cape Breton Post. April 26, 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
12. ^ "Longtime Cape Breton Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner will not re-offer". CBC News. April 26, 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-27.
13. ^ "Trudeau names former Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner as new consul general in Boston". Global News. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
14. ^ "Announcement of new diplomatic appointments". Global Affairs Canada. October 30, 2020. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
15. ^ "The Prime Minister announces the appointment of five senators". Prime Minister of Canada. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.

External links

• Official website^{[dead link]}