Yvonne Jones has served as the MHA for Cartwright – L’Anse au Clair for the past 15 years.

Ms. Jones was first introduced to politics in 1991, with her election as Mayor of her hometown, Mary’s Harbour, Labrador. In 1996, she ran as an independent member and was elected to the House of Assembly. Jones was elected for her second term as a Liberal MHA in 1999 and then re-elected in 2003 and 2007. Since then, she has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Department of Works, Services and Transportation and to the Department of Health. In 2003, she was appointed Minister of Fisheries & Aquaculture, the first female in the province to hold that position, as well as the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. She was appointed the Interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador and Leader of the Official Opposition on November 15th, 2007’. On July 30, 2010, Yvonne became the official Leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A graduate of West Viking College , Ms. Jones began her career as a journalist and has worked throughout the province as a news reporter. She also carried out contract work as a researcher with Memorial University and as a Resource Employment Counselor with Human Resources Development Canada.

Ms. Jones is also an entrepreneur and has owned and operated small businesses in Labrador in both the transportation and tourism sectors.

Through her volunteer work with the Battle Harbour Development Corporation, the Combined Councils of Labrador, the Labrador Métis Nation and various literacy groups and councils, Ms. Jones played a significant role in improving the quality of life not only for the people of her district, but for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.