Brian Tobin

Brian Tobin (born October 21st, 1954 in Stephenville, Newfoundland) is a Canadian politician. During his youth, he worked a brief stint as a TV news announcer before joining the Liberal party as a political aide.

First elected to the House of Commons as a Liberal in 1980, he became minister of fisheries and oceans in 1993, and defended the turbot fishery against overfishing by Spanish vessels. Known to be articulate and dramatic, Tobin once burned a turbot net during a news conference held to discuss the issue of Spanish overfishing. While Minister, Tobin helped organize a pro-Canadian rally in Quebec before the 1995 referendum, earning him the nickname of "Captain Canada".

In 1996 he resigned to become Liberal Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. As Premier, he pledged to secure a quick and fair deal to develop the Voisey's Bay nickel mine in Labrador and further develop the Lower Churchill River in Labrador.

He returned to federal politics in 2000 as minister of industry in a move widely seen to be aimed at boosting Liberal chances in Atlantic Canada, but suddenly resigned in frustration in 2002. Since his retirement, he has authored an auto-biography entitled All In Good Time.

Preceded by: Clyde Wells 1989-1996

Premier of Newfoundland 1996-2000

Succeeded by: Beaton Tulk 2000-2001