| Lynn Verge | |
|---|---|
| MHA for Humber East | |
| In office 1979–1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Tom Farrell |
| Succeeded by | Bob Mercer |
| Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | |
| In office 1995–1996 |
|
| Preceded by | Len Simms |
| Succeeded by | Loyola Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Residence | Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador |
Lynn Verge is a former Canadian lawyer and politician in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. She represented the Corner Brook electoral district of Humber East in the Newfoundland House of Assembly from 1979 to 1996. In 1995 Verge served became the first woman to lead a political party in Newfoundland and Labrador when she succeeded Len Simms as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party; she was also the first female to serve as the Leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly.[1]
She served in the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador as Minister of Education from 1979 to 1985, and as Minister of Justice from 1985 to 1989, in the government of Brian Peckford. Verge was one of the first two women, along with colleague Hazel Newhook, ever appointed to the provincial cabinet.[2]
Notably, in the 1989 election, she defeated Liberal Party leader Clyde Wells in Humber East, even though his party won the most seats in the election.[1]
She subsequently became the leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1995 following the resignation of Len Simms, becoming the first woman to lead a political party in the province. The Liberal Party under Brian Tobin won a large majority government in the 1996 election and Verge stepped down as leader after failing to win re-election.
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