Don Rusnak

Don Rusnak
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
In office September 19, 2017 – August 31, 2018
Minister	Jane Philpott
Preceded by	portfolio established
Succeeded by	Dan Vandal
Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Rainy River
In office October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019
Preceded by	John Rafferty
Succeeded by	Marcus Powlowski
Personal details
Born	(1975-10-05) October 5, 1975 Thunder Bay, Ontario
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Amanda
Alma mater	Robson Hall Lakehead University
Profession	Barrister

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 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.

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.

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
	Liberal	Don Rusnak	18,523	44.02	+22.31	$69,724.11
	New Democratic	John Rafferty	12,483	29.66	-18.99	$106,616.41
	Conservative	Moe Comuzzi	8,876	21.09	-6.12	$64,890.91
	Green	Christy Radbourne	2,201	5.23	+2.79	$3,586.52
Total valid votes/Expense limit			42,083	99.58		$233,739.33
Total rejected ballots			176	0.42	–
Turnout			42,259	66.33
Eligible voters			63,708
	Liberal gain from New Democratic		Swing		+20.65
Source: Elections Canada

References

• Don Rusnak - Member of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada
• Liberal Party of Canada

External links

• Liberal Party of Canada