Gary Burrill was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2009. He is a United Church minister who has been serving Upper Musquodoboit since 1990.

Prior to entering the ministry Gary edited New Maritimes, a magazine of regional politics and culture. He has lectured

in Atlantic Canada Studies and Maritime social history and is the author

of numerous articles and essays on Maritime issues and  the book Away: Maritimers in Massachusetts, Ontario and Alberta An Oral History of Leaving Home. 

Gary received his Bachelor of Arts and M.A. degrees in sociology from Queen's. He also holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Harvard University.

Gary helped found the Arimathea Funeral Cooperative in Upper Musquodoboit, the first funeral home cooperative in the province. He assisted in organizing the construction of the wooden playground on the church grounds at Upper Musquodoboit.

Gary and his wife Debbie have four children.