Todd Russell

Todd Norman Dwayne Russell (born December 22, 1966) is a Canadian politician and was the Liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador from 2005 to 2011.

Todd Norman Russell
Member of Parliament for Labrador
In office May 24, 2005 – May 30, 2011
Preceded by	Lawrence D. O'Brien
Succeeded by	Peter Penashue
Personal details
Born	(1966-12-22) December 22, 1966 (age 58) St. Anthony, Newfoundland[1]
Political party	Liberal Party of Canada
Profession	Metis affairs leader

Early life

Russell was born in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and raised in William's Harbour. He is Métis descent^[2] and was the president of NunatuKavut, an unrecognised Indigenous group,^[3] until his by-election win. He was educated at Memorial University in St. John's.

Federal politics

On May 24, 2005, Russell won a by-election in the riding of Labrador, vacated by the death of Liberal MP Lawrence D. O'Brien.^[4] His victory consolidated the standing of the federal Liberals in the minority parliament, which made it easier for the Liberals to pass budget legislation. He was re-elected in the 2006 and 2008 federal elections and served as the Critic for Aboriginal Affairs in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet.

In the 2011 election, Russell was defeated by Conservative Peter Penashue.^[5][6]

After federal politics

Lower Churchill Project

Following his electoral defeat Russell returned to the position of NunatuKavut president and has been vocal in his opposition to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.^[7]

Other activities

In 2016, Russell called on the federal government to apologize for the treatment of residential school survivors from Newfoundland and Labrador.^[8]