Churence served as the Co-Chair of the Liberal Seniors’ Caucus and the Newfoundland and Labrador Caucus in the last parliament. He is a strong advocate for Canada’s rural and coastal communities and the issues important to them. Currently, Churence is a proud member of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities that is working to improve the communities Canadians live in and the transportation systems they rely on.

Born and raised in Centreville-Wareham-Trinity, He has served as its Mayor from 2009 to 2017, and previously served as Mayor of Harbour Breton from 1997 to 2003. From 2011 to 2015, Churence also served as President of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL). Under his leadership, MNL negotiated a new fiscal framework arrangement with the provincial government that invested millions of dollars annually into municipalities across Newfoundland and Labrador, helping to improve the lives of families throughout our province. At the same time, he served on the national Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and as the Chair of its Atlantic Caucus. Churence also proudly served over 29 years as a teacher, vice-principal and volleyball coach in Harbour Breton, NL.

Churence and his wife Yvonne are the proud parents of two adult children and have four grandchildren. He also enjoys fishing and hunting, playing golf, and spending time on his ATV or snowmobiling.