Don Rusnak
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
In office
September 19, 2017 – August 31, 2018
MinisterJane Philpott
Preceded byportfolio established
Succeeded byDan Vandal
Member of Parliament
for Thunder Bay—Rainy River
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019
Preceded byJohn Rafferty
Succeeded byMarcus Powlowski
Personal details
Born (1975-10-05) October 5, 1975
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
SpouseAmanda
Alma materRobson Hall
Lakehead University
ProfessionBarrister

Don Rusnak (born October 5, 1975) is a Canadian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River in the House of Commons of Canada from 2015[1] to 2019 as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Biography

Born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, Rusnak has deep roots in Thunder Bay–Rainy River, and as the son of Ukrainian and Anishinaabe (Ojibway) parents.

Education

Rusnak studied Political Science and Integrated Forest Resource Management at Lakehead University. In 2001, Rusnak attended the University of Manitoba, Robson Hall Faculty of Law, and during his final year, attended Osgoode Hall Law School to study in the Intensive Program in Aboriginal Lands, Resources and Governments.

Career prior to election

Rusnak has extensive professional experience drawing from his work in the forestry industry, public sector, and from his own legal practice. While working with Manitoba Health, Rusnak helped to improve the delivery of healthcare services for Northern Manitobans, and as a Crown Prosecutor in Eastern Alberta, he prosecuted criminal and regulatory offences. Rusnak served as the interim executive director for Grand Council Treaty No. 3 in Kenora.

Rusnak has volunteered his time with many organizations, such as the Ontario Justice Education Network and the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative – a group which improves elementary and secondary school education outcomes for Aboriginal Canadians through the implementation of specific programs and the application of appropriate research.

Federal politics

Rusnak was elected to represent the riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River 2015 federal election, defeating incumbent MP John Rafferty. He was the only First Nation MP elected in the province of Ontario.

In September 2017, Rusnak was appointed as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. He stepped down from this role in August 2018, citing family concerns.[2]

In November 2018, Rusnak was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate to run in the 2019 federal election. However, he later decided not to run for re-election.[3][4]

Political roles

  • Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs
  • Standing Joint Committee of the Library of Parliament
  • Chair of the Indigenous Caucus
  • Director-at-Large Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group

Electoral record

2015 Canadian federal election: Thunder Bay—Rainy River
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalDon Rusnak18,52344.02+22.31$69,724.11
New DemocraticJohn Rafferty12,48329.66-18.99$106,616.41
ConservativeMoe Comuzzi8,87621.09-6.12$64,890.91
GreenChristy Radbourne2,2015.23+2.79$3,586.52
Total valid votes/Expense limit 42,08399.58 $233,739.33
Total rejected ballots 1760.42–
Turnout 42,25966.33
Eligible voters 63,708
Liberal gain from New Democratic Swing +20.65
Source: Elections Canada[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Don Rusnak captures Thunder Bay-Rainy River for Liberals". CBC Thunder Bay, October 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ Dunick, Leith (September 1, 2018). "Rusnak steps down from parliamentary secretary role". Thunder Bay News Watch. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Thunder Bay-area MP says he won't run again in upcoming federal election". Thunder Bay: CBC News. March 18, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  4. ↑ Diaczuk, Doug (March 17, 2019). "Rusnak bows out of 2019 federal election". Thunder Bay News Watch. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  5. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, September 30, 2015
  6. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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