Tobin, Brian 1954-

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TOBIN, Brian 1954-

PERSONAL: Born October 21, 1954 in Stephenville, Newfoundland, Canada; son of Patrick Vincent and Florence Mary (Frye) Tobin; married Jodean Smith, August 27, 1977; children: Heather Elizabeth, Adam Vincent, John Joseph. Education: Attended Memorial University of Newfoundland. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, music, sports.

ADDRESSES: Home—Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Agent—c/o Author Mail, Penguin Canada, 10 Alcorn Ave., Ste. 300, Toronto, Ontario M4V 3B2, Canada.

CAREER: Politician and writer. Member of Parliament for Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, Newfoundland, Canada, 1980-96; Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 1993-96; Leader, Liberal Party of Newfoundland, 1996-2000; Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, 1996-2000; Minister of Industry, Government of Canada, 2000-02. Vice chairman and director, Kruger, Inc. Member of board of directors of CHC Helicopter Corp., the Canadian Recording Industry Association, and INCORETEC Inc.

WRITINGS:

(With John Lawrence Reynolds) All in Good Time, Penguin Canada (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), 2002.

SIDELIGHTS: A well-known and well-respected leader, Brian Tobin presents a memoir of his more than twenty-two undefeated years in Canadian politics in All in Good Time. Nothing like a tell-all—more like a good-natured chronicle—the book provides anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories of some of the most prominent figures in Canadian government.

Born in Stephenville, Newfoundland, in 1954, Tobin has served in a variety of political positions, including Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Canadian Minister of Industry. Tobin resigned from politics in January, 2002, and went into business. Despite his retirement, "Brian Tobin is a rarity in Canada," wrote Paul Challen in Quill & Quire, "an ex-politician who many people wish would return to the political arena."

Tobin was a part of Canada's infamous Liberal Rat Pack, and as a Member of Parliament he opposed the policies of Brian Mulroney. He helped rally opposition to the Quebec Referendum in the face of a sovereignist vote that was considered to be inevitable and unstoppable. As Minister of Fisheries, he supported aggressive arrests, seizures of boats, and even military action against illegal fishing in Canadian waters. Tobin served as the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1996 to 2000, and during his tenure the province's economic growth increased dramatically.

"Despite its speak-no-ill tone, All in Good Time is still a lively and informative book" that covers all the behind-the-scenes highs and lows of Tobin's tenure in Canadian government, wrote Brian Bethune in Maclean's. "Tobin sacrifices the usual heavy dose of bluster and self-aggrandizement in favor of healthy amounts of wit, honesty, and straightforward reporting of key events and people," Challen observed.