Thomas Jack Burke | |
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Member of the New Brunswick Legislative Assembly for Fredericton-Nashwaaksis Fredericton North (2003-2006) |
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In office June 9, 2003 – September 27, 2010 |
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Preceded by | D. Peter Forbes |
Succeeded by | Troy Lifford |
Personal details | |
Born |
Los Angeles, California |
February 19, 1972
Political party | Liberal |
Occupation | Lawyer |
Thomas James "T.J." Burke QC (born 1972) is a New Brunswick lawyer and politician. Burke was the first Aboriginal who hails from Tobique First Nation selected to a legislature anywhere in Atlantic Canada. He has served in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick since 2003 and was a member of the cabinet from 2006 to 2009.
Burke was born in Los Angeles, California. His family returned to Canada in 1978, and he was raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He graduated from Fredericton High School in 1990. After high school, Burke enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served from 1990 to 1995. Following his stint in the U.S. military, Burke again returned to Canada and completed a Bachelor of Arts at St. Thomas University and a law degree at Dalhousie University. He practiced law in Fredericton from being called to the bar until he was named to the cabinet.