Bio
Aaron Hynes has a degree in Political Science with High Honours and a minor in Economics from Carleton University, and certificates in Public Policy Implementation and Political Communications from the Manning Centre for Building Democracy.
After graduating from university, Aaron served for seven years as an officer in the regular force Canadian Navy. He later served three more years in the Naval Reserve.
Aaron has twelve years of professional experience in federal politics, as a Legislative Assistant in the House of Commons, Policy Advisor in the Senate, and Special Assistant to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of the Environment. He has also volunteered as a Campaign Manager and in other key roles.
Aaron was the Conservative Candidate in the riding of Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor in 2006, finishing with 40% of the vote.
Both as a candidate and as a parliamentary staffer, Aaron has been an effective advocate of the interests of Newfoundland and Labrador. Notably, he championed the reinstatement of Environment Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador Weather Centre, the extension of Transport Canada's Port Divestiture Program and financial assistance for Gander International Airport, all of which took place under the Conservative government of Stephen Harper.
Aaron is also a strong proponent of Senate reform, including elections and term limits for Senators, and has written academic articles on the subject for the Canadian Parliamentary Review.
Recently, Aaron was a guest speaker for the Public Service Leadership and Management Development Program at Memorial University's Gardiner Centre.
Aaron is a member of the public policy think-tank Civitas; the Canadian Study of Parliament Group; the Naval Officers' Association of Canada; the Crow's Nest Officers' Club in St. John's, NL; the Newfoundland Historical Society; Friends of the National War Museum; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 41 in Eastport, NL; and Discovery Shooting Club in Elliston, NL.
Aaron won the Rogers Centennial Cup 5km Road Race in Grand Falls-Windsor, NL in 2006 and 2007. He also plays hockey.
Aaron and his wife Lori-Lynn (Collins, of Grand Falls-Windsor, NL) were married in Norris Arm, NL in August 2007. They are the proud parents of daughter Abigail, who was born in October 2010.