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Todd Russell
Todd Russell
Todd Russell
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Todd Norman Dwayne Russell (born December 22, 1966) is a Canadian politician and was the Liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador from 2005 to 2011.

Key Information

Early life

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Russell was born in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and raised in William's Harbour. He is Métis descent[2] and was the president of NunatuKavut, an unrecognised Indigenous group,[3] until his by-election win. He was educated at Memorial University in St. John's.

Federal politics

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On May 24, 2005, Russell won a by-election in the riding of Labrador, vacated by the death of Liberal MP Lawrence D. O'Brien.[4] His victory consolidated the standing of the federal Liberals in the minority parliament, which made it easier for the Liberals to pass budget legislation. He was re-elected in the 2006 and 2008 federal elections and served as the Critic for Aboriginal Affairs in the Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet.

In the 2011 election, Russell was defeated by Conservative Peter Penashue.[5][6]

After federal politics

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Following his electoral defeat Russell returned to the position of NunatuKavut president and has been vocal in his opposition to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.[7]

In 2016, Russell called on the federal government to apologize for the treatment of residential school survivors from Newfoundland and Labrador.[8]

References

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Todd Russell

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from Grokipedia
Todd Russell is an Australian former miner known for surviving 14 days trapped underground after the 2006 Beaconsfield mine collapse in Tasmania, Australia. One of two miners rescued alive following the incident, his ordeal captured national attention and highlighted the dangers of mining work. Since the event, Russell has become a motivational speaker, sharing lessons on resilience, occupational health and safety, teamwork, and personal survival drawn from his experience. The collapse occurred on 25 April 2006 when a small earthquake triggered a rockfall at the Beaconsfield gold mine, burying Russell and fellow miner Brant Webb nearly one kilometre underground in a confined space within a vehicle basket. A third miner, Larry Knight, was killed in the initial rockfall. Russell and Webb survived on minimal resources—a shared muesli bar and collected groundwater—while enduring physical pain, restricted movement, and psychological strain, including writing farewell letters on their clothing. After six days, rescuers made contact, and following careful drilling and blasting, both men were freed on 9 May 2006, walking unaided to the surface. The rescue drew intense global media coverage, leading to book deals, documentaries, and widespread recognition. In the years afterward, Russell has spoken openly about developing PTSD and depression, personal challenges including separation from his wife and children, and ongoing psychological treatment. He remains committed to rebuilding family relationships and uses his story to advocate for workplace safety and mental health awareness through speaking engagements.

Early life

Limited public information is available about Todd Russell's early life. He was born in Tasmania, Australia, around 1971 or 1972, as he was 34 years old at the time of the Beaconsfield mine collapse in April-May 2006. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Carolyn, and they had three children prior to the incident. No further detailed information on his childhood, education, or family background is widely documented in available sources.

Career

Todd Russell worked as an underground miner at the Beaconsfield gold mine in Tasmania prior to the 2006 mine collapse. Following his rescue on 9 May 2006, Russell did not return to underground mining. He and fellow survivor Brant Webb secured significant media deals, including television interviews, a worldwide book deal, and a documentary. Russell also appeared in a live interview on Good Morning America. Russell has since established a career as a professional motivational and keynote speaker. He draws on his survival experience to address themes of resilience, occupational health and safety, mateship, teamwork, and overcoming personal challenges. His presentations emphasize maintaining hope in crisis, mutual support, and the importance of safety in high-risk industries, and he has spoken to audiences in safety training, energy, and emergency services sectors. He is represented by speaker bureaus in Australia.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Todd Russell is married to Carolyn, his high school sweetheart. They have three children. Following the Beaconsfield mine collapse and its psychological aftermath, including PTSD and depression, Russell and Carolyn separated. He has spoken publicly about working to rebuild relationships with his family.

Death

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