Bill Matthews

William Matthews (born July 22, 1947 in Grand Bank, Newfoundland) is a Canadian politician.

William Matthews
Member of Parliament of Canada for Random—Burin—St. George's (Burin—St. George's, 1997–2004)
In office September 22, 1997 – September 7, 2008
Preceded by	Roger Simmons
Succeeded by	Judy Foote
Member of Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Grand Bank
In office 1982–1996
Preceded by	Leslie Thoms
Succeeded by	Judy Foote
Personal details
Born	(1947-07-22) July 22, 1947 Grand Bank, Newfoundland
Political party	Liberal (1999–2008)
Other political affiliations	Progressive Conservative (1982–1999)
Residence	Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador
Profession	Teacher
Portfolio	Fisheries & Oceans (Critic)

Matthews was a Progressive Conservative member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1982 to 1996. During this time, he was a cabinet minister, as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth from 1985 to 1988 and Minister of Career Development and Advanced Studies from 1988 to 1989.

Matthews was later elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1997 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, representing the riding of Burin—St. George's. He crossed the floor to the Liberals in 1999, and continued to represent the riding until 2004. In that year's federal election, he was elected to the newly redistributed district of Random—Burin—St. George's, which he represented until 2008.

Matthews is a former teacher. He is a former Parliamentary Secretary to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Deputy House Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and Progressive Conservative critic of Fisheries and Oceans.

After 10 years in the House of Commons, Matthews called Prime Minister Stephen Harper a "liar." While Speaker of the House Peter Milliken didn't give in to demands from outraged Tories to throw Matthews out of the chamber, Milliken did not allow Matthews to rise in the House for what would be the last 14 months of Matthews' career.[1] Matthews did not run for reelection in the 2008 election.[2]

In October 2018, Matthews was appointed as Chief of Staff to provincial PC leader Ches Crosbie in the Opposition Office.[3]

Matthews contested the 2019 provincial election as the PC candidate in Burin-Grand Bank,[4] but was defeated by Liberal incumbent Carol Anne Haley.[5]