View source for Scott Simms

{{Short description|Canadian politician}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%}}
| name                = Scott Simms
| image               = Scottsimms.jpg
| parliament          = Canadian
| riding1             = [[Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame]]<br /><small>[[Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor]]<br />(2004–2015)</small>
| term_start1         = June 28, 2004
| term_end1           = September 20, 2021
| predecessor1        = [[Rex Barnes]]
| successor1          = [[Clifford Small]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Darrell |title=Conservative Clifford Small wins Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/coast-of-bays-central-notre-dame-final-result-sept-24-1.6188881 |access-date=26 September 2021 |work=CBC |date=Sep 24, 2021}}</ref>
| office2             = Chairman of the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage|Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage]]
| term_start2         = February 19, 2020
| term_end2           = September 20, 2021
| predecessor2        = [[Julie Dabrusin]]
| successor2          = [[Hedy Fry]]
| office3             = Chairman of the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans|Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans]]
| term_start3         = February 16, 2016
| term_end3           = April 19, 2018
| predecessor3        = [[Rodney Weston]]
| successor3          = [[Bernadette Jordan]]
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age |1969|08|12}}
| birth_place         = [[Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador]], Canada
| spouse              = 
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| profession          = Journalist
| party               = [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
| residence           = [[Norris Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador]]
| parliament1         = Canadian
| footnotes           = 
| religion            = 
}}

'''Scott Simms''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN}} (born August 12, 1969) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] politician. He was the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Member of Parliament (Canada)|Member of Parliament]] for the [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] riding of [[Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame]] from 2004 until 2021.

==Early life==
Scott Simms was born on August 12, 1969, in [[Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador|Bishop's Falls]], [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]].<ref name="Parliament" />

In 1990, while a student at [[Mount Allison University]], Simms started in politics and campaigning when he acted as the official agent and campaign manager for Bryan Gold the [[Rhinoceros Party of Canada (1963–93)|Rhinoceros Party]] candidate in a federal byelection in the [[Beauséjour (electoral district)|Beauséjour]] riding. Simms graduated from [[Mount Allison University]] with a Bachelor in Commerce and [[Loyalist College]] in Journalism. Before entering elected politics, Simms worked for [[The Weather Network]], prior to which he had worked as a radio reporter in [[Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador|Gander]] and Grand Falls-Windsor. He was an active campaigner for the "No" side in the [[1995 Quebec referendum]].<ref name="a"/>

==Politics==
Simms was elected in the [[2004 Canadian federal election|2004 election]] and defeated four other candidates, including [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]] incumbent [[Rex Barnes]].<ref>{{cite web | title=CBC&nbsp;— Canada Votes 2004 | url=http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/002/ | access-date= July 12, 2004 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040712081814/http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/002/ |archive-date = July 12, 2004}}</ref> Simms was re-elected on Jan. 23, 2006, beating Conservative candidate Aaron Hynes by approximately 5,000 votes.<ref name="a">{{cite news | title=CBC&nbsp;— Canada Votes 2006 - Candidates and Ridings | url=http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/002/ | access-date= September 16, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070808081728/http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/riding/002/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = August 8, 2007}}</ref> Simms was re-elected in the 2008 federal election.

He was a member of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. Since January 18, 2006, he has been the critic for the [[Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)|Minister of Fisheries and Oceans]]. He was the critic for the [[Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency]] from February 23, 2006 until January 17, 2007.<ref name="Parliament">{{cite web | url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Files/Parliamentarian.aspx?Item=d282a075-d49f-40b7-ab6d-64455eb9a5a8&Language=E&Section=ALL | title=SIMMS, Scott, B.Comm. | publisher=Library of Parliament | access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>

Simms is also now known by a number of people who live on the west coast of Ireland following the voyage of one of his election posters across the Atlantic Ocean to Keem Bay in the village of Dooagh on [[Achill Island]], [[County Mayo]]. The story was published by a local news paper called The Mayo News after a lifeguard at the beach, Conal Dixon, found the poster washed up on the sand.<ref>[http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2516&Itemid=38 Canadian poster in Achill!] ''The Mayo News'', October 2, 2007</ref>

On May 2, 2011, Simms was again re-elected, defeating Hynes in a re-match by approximately 9,200 votes, with a total of 17,895 votes in his riding.<ref name="Innu leader">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/innu-leader-delivers-conservatives-from-n-l-shutout-1.976524|title=Innu leader delivers Conservatives from N.L. shutout|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2011-05-02|access-date=2018-05-25}}</ref>

In 2012, Simms was the only Liberal to join the Conservatives in voting to repeal [[Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act|Section 13 of the ''Canadian Human Rights Act'']], which dealt with communication of messages "likely to expose a person or persons to hatred or contempt."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/06/07/jonathan-kay-good-riddance-to-section-13-of-the-canadian-human-rights-act/ |title=Jonathan Kay: Good riddance to Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act &#124; Full Comment &#124; National Post |access-date=2013-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130105111536/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/06/07/jonathan-kay-good-riddance-to-section-13-of-the-canadian-human-rights-act/ |archive-date=2013-01-05 }}</ref>

In 2013, Simms was courted by the supporters in the [[Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador]] to run for the provincial leadership in the [[2013 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election|2013 leadership election]], but ultimately declined to focus on federal politics.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2013-02-08/article-3173650/Simms-says-he-will-not-be-seeking-the-leadership-of-the-provinces-Liberal-Party/1 | title=The Telegram>News>Local Simms says he will not be seeking the leadership of the province's Liberal Party | publisher=The St. John's Telegram | date=8 February 2013 | access-date=29 August 2015 | author=Higgins, Kevin}}</ref> Simms was re-elected in the 2015 federal election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenorwester.ca/news/local/scott-simms-victorious-in-new-riding-113922/|title=Scott Simms victorious in new riding|work=The Norwester|date=22 October 2015|access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/scott-simms-reelected-1.3278683|title=Scott Simms keeps seat in Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame|publisher=CBC News|date=October 20, 2015|accessdate=2015-11-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Election-2015/2015-10-19/article-4314774/No-more-politicking-for-Kevin-O%26rsquo%3BBrien/1 |title=No more politicking for Kevin O'Brien |work=[[The Telegram]] |location=St. John's |date=October 19, 2015 |accessdate=2015-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072858/http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Election-2015/2015-10-19/article-4314774/No-more-politicking-for-Kevin-O%26rsquo%3BBrien/1 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2018, Simms was removed as Chairman of the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans|Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans]] as a result of voting in favour of a Conservative party motion opposing changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/scott-simms-removed-from-fisheries-chair-1.4627724|title=N.L. MP Scott Simms removed as fisheries chair after breaking with Liberal party line|publisher=CBC News|date=19 April 2018|access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref>

Simms was re-elected in the 2019 federal election. Simms served as the Chair of the [[Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage|Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage]].

Simms was defeated in the [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021 federal election]] losing to conservative candidate [[Clifford Small]].<ref>Darrell Roberts, [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/coast-of-bays-central-notre-dame-final-result-sept-24-1.6188881 "Conservative Clifford Small wins Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame"]. [[CBC News]] Newfoundland and Labrador, September 25, 2021.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-johns-east-results-2021-1.6183143 | title=Liberals flip St. John's East, trail in Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame|work=[[CBC News]]|date=21 September 2021|access-date=21 September 2021}}</ref>

==Electoral Record==

{{2021 Canadian federal election/Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame}}
{{2019 Canadian federal election/Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame}}
{{2015 Canadian federal election/Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2011|Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Scott Simms|17,977 |57.70|-12.57| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Aaron Hynes|8,595 |27.59|+12.36| }}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Clyde Bridger |4,306|13.82|+1.31| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Robyn Kenny |279|0.90|-1.08| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit| 31,157|100.00|   }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots| 151| 0.48|-0.02 | }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|31,308 | 36.24|-4.91 | }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Eligible voters| 86,394	|–|–| }}
{{end}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2008|Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Scott Simms| 20,089| 70.27|+18.3| $23,605}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Andrew House| 4,354| 15.23|-25.1|$32,723 }}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Jason Holley | 3,577| 12.51|+5.5| }}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Robert O'Connor| 568| 1.98|+1.3| }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|28,588|100.00 | $92,537}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots| 145|0.50|0.00 }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout| 28,733| 41.15}}
|- bgcolor="white"
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|row}}
|align="left" colspan=2|[[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] '''hold'''
|align="right"|'''Swing'''
|align="right"| +21.7
|align="right"|
{{end}}

{{Canadian election result/top|CA|2006|Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Scott Simms|19,866| 52.0|+3.8 | $43,240}}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|Aaron Hynes|15,376|40.3|-1.3 |$75,703 }}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Sandra Cooze|2,668| 7.0| -1.1| $10}}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|Judy Davis |265| 0.7| -0.4|  $0}}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit| 38,175| 100.0|$86,380 }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Total rejected ballots|190|0.50 |-0.03 }}
{{Canadian election result/total|Turnout|38,365|–| }}
{{End}}

{{CANelec/top|CA|2004|Bonavista—Exploits|percent=yes|change=yes|expenditures=yes}}
{{CANelec|CA|Liberal|Scott Simms| 15,970| 48.20|-7.12|$45,455.39 }}
{{CANelec|CA|Conservative|[[Rex Barnes]] |13,786 | 41.61|+7.11|$78,934.75 }}
{{CANelec|CA|NDP|Samuel Robert McLean | 2,667| 8.05|-2.14|$1,870.00 }}
{{CANelec|CA|Green|[[Moondog King|Ed Sailor White]] | 367| 1.11|&ndash;| $275.00}}
{{CANelec|CA|Independent|John Lannon |344  | 1.04|&ndash;|<small>''none listed''</small>}}
{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes/Expense limit|33,134|100.0&nbsp;|&ndash; | $84,760 }}
{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, declined and unmarked ballots|178|0.53}}
{{CANelec/total|Turnout|33,312|46.30|-6.67 }}
{{CANelec/total|Eligible voters|71,944}}
{{CANelec/nothold|CA|Liberal|-7.12}}
{{CANelec/note|<small>Changes from 2000 are based on redistributed results. Change for the Conservatives is based on the combined totals from the Progressive Conservatives and the Canadian Alliance.</small>}}
{{End}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.scottsimms.com/}}
*{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=6670}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simms, Scott}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador]]
[[Category:Liberal Party of Canada MPs]]
[[Category:Canadian television weather presenters]]
[[Category:People from Bishop's Falls]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Mount Allison University alumni]]
[[Category:Pelmorex people]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada]]