Bonavista—Burin—Trinity

Bonavista—Burin—Trinity is one of Newfoundland's most geographically expansive ridings, reaching across three peninsulas and hundreds of kilometres of coastline on the island's eastern side. Clarenville, positioned at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Route 230, serves as the principal service centre, while Marystown on the Burin Peninsula and the historic town of Bonavista anchor the riding's southern and northern extremities.

Candidates

Churence Rogers (Liberal) — Rogers came to the 2019 contest as the sitting MP, having won a December 2017 by-election following the resignation of Judy Foote. Raised in Centreville-Wareham-Trinity, he graduated from Memorial University and spent years in municipal governance, serving as mayor of Harbour Breton from 1997 to 2003 and later as mayor of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity from 2009 to 2017. He also led Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador as president from 2011 to 2015.

Sharon Vokey (Conservative) — Vokey lived in the community of Trinity with her husband Wayne and brought extensive political staffing experience to her campaign. She began working with the provincial Progressive Conservative party in 2000, advancing through roles from constituency assistant to executive director. After stepping away from partisan work in 2015, she continued helping constituents navigate federal benefits programs including Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan appeals. She also served as mayor of her community.

Matthew Cooper (NDP) — Cooper carried the NDP banner in the riding, campaigning as part of a field that included four candidates vying for the seat.

Kelsey Reichel (Green Party) — Reichel stood for the Greens in a riding where environmental stewardship and the health of coastal ecosystems have long been prominent concerns.

About the Riding

The sea defines Bonavista—Burin—Trinity. The inshore fishery, restructured around crab and shrimp since the 1992 cod moratorium, continues to sustain dozens of coastal settlements. Marystown's shipyard has cycled through closures and partial reopenings, leaving the Burin Peninsula searching for stable industrial employment. The Come By Chance oil refinery, built in the early 1970s, provided jobs in the region but had experienced repeated ownership changes and operational uncertainty. Tourism has become an increasingly important economic driver: Bonavista's restored Ryan Premises National Historic Site and the Skerwink Trail near Port Rexton draw visitors to the area each summer. Clarenville functions as a retail and healthcare hub for surrounding communities. Heading into 2019, rural depopulation, aging infrastructure, limited broadband access, and the management of fishery quotas were dominant issues across the riding.