Jack Harris has extensive parliamentary experience having represented St. John’s East in four different Parliaments from 1987 to 1988, 2008 to 2015, and again from 2019 to 2021. Throughout his time in office, he had responsibility for several senior critic roles; in Foreign Affairs and Public Safety, while also serving in the Official Opposition Justice and National Defence portfolios.
He has served on various parliamentary committees and represented Canada as Vice Chair of the Canadian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on many occasions.
He also served at the provincial level in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador as a Member of the House of Assembly. He also served as Leader of the New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador for fourteen years.
Mr. Harris joined the Board of the Canadian Association of Former Parliament in 2016 serving as Vice President until 2019 and resumed that role in 2022. He is most interested in enhancing the role of former parliamentarians in the promotion of democratic values.
Educated at Memorial University, the University of Alberta, and the London School of Economics, Jack is a lawyer by profession practiced labour law and general practice for many years.
In addition to the CAFP Board, Mr. Harris serves on the Board of Directors of Tree Canada and has been President of The Newfoundland Pony Society since 2016.
He lives in St. John’s with his wife, Ann, and they have three adult children.