Geoff Regan - Career

Career

Regan is a current member of the Liberal Party of Canada in the Canadian House of Commons, representing the riding of Halifax West since 2000, and from 1993 to 1997. Regan earned his B.A. in political science from St. Francis Xavier University in 1980. Following his time at St. FX, Regan went on to earn a law degree from Dalhousie University, graduating in 1983. He was admitted to the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 1984 and practiced real estate and commercial law before entering public life.

Regan served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, under Jean Chrétien and later as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia in the newly formed government of Paul Martin, sworn in on December 12, 2003. After the 2004 federal election, Regan retained his position in cabinet in Martin’s minority government. In February 2004, Regan was appointed to act as Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, in matters related to Maher Arar. Upon the defeat of the Liberal government in the 2006 election, he was appointed by Bill Graham, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition, to the shadow cabinet as the Official Opposition Critic for Human Resources and Skills Development. During his time as critic, Regan introduced a private members’ bill to expand Canada Access Grants for disabled and low income students. In January 2007, he was appointed to the newly created Liberal Priorities and Planning Committee, which was chaired by then Liberal Opposition Leader Stéphane Dion. In March 2008, Regan was named Chair of the Caucus Committee on Environmental Sustainability. Regan also served as Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.