Paul Duffie

Who is Paul Duffie?

Paul Duffie is a former politician, lawyer and judge in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Duffie was born in Neguac, New Brunswick. A graduate of Ricker College in Houlton, Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree and the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick with a law degree. He was mayor of Grand Falls from 1986 until his election as MLA in 1987.

Elected as a Liberal in the Frank McKenna landslide, Duffie continued his law practice in addition to his legislative duties. In 1991, he was named to the board of governors for the University of New Brunswick.

In 1991, Duffie was re-elected as MLA and appointed to be the Minister of Education. He became Minister of Municipalities, Culture & Housing in 1994. Upon being re-elected in 1995 he became Minister of Justice.

Duffie resigned from cabinet in 1997, after considering a run for leader, to spend more time with his family. Duffie co-chaired the leadership campaign of Camille Theriault with Doug Tyler.

Duffie did not seek re-election in the 1999 general election.

In 2001, following the resignation of Theriault, Duffie was encouraged to run for leader. His biggest supporters in the small, seven member, Liberal caucus of the day were House Leader Eric Allaby and former Minister of Transportation Sheldon Lee.