For the past 18 years, Judy M. Foote has been dedicated to community service, working in several volunteer capacities with a variety of organizations, including the St. John’s Association for the Mentally Delayed and the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to this volunteer work, Ms. Foote served in several capacities for 15 years with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

Ms. Foote was elected as the Member of the House Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador for the District of Grand Bank in 1996 and was re-elected in 2003. Premier Brian Tobin invited her to join his Cabinet as Minister of Development and Rural Renewal on March 14, 1996. Ms. Foote subsequently held the positions of Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, Minister of Education, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

Prior to her involvement in politics, Ms. Foote worked in television journalism with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s public affairs program “Here & Now.” She has also been the Director of University Relations with Memorial University, and has worked in the Newfoundland and Labrador Premier’s Office as the Director of Public Relations, a position she held for seven years.

Ms. Foote holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University. In 1977, she moved to Sarnia, Ontario, to attend Lambton College, graduating with an Honours Diploma in Radio and Television Broadcast Arts.

Ms. Foote and her husband Howard have three children: Carla, Jason and Heidi.