Born in St. Anne’s, Placentia Bay, Felix Collins graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a bachelor of arts degree in education in 1964 and a bachelor of arts degree in 1968. He completed a masters of education degree in 1972 from the University of Boston and a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Ottawa in 1995, at which time he was awarded the Newton Rowell Scholarship for his dedication to public service.

He worked as a school principal, teacher, coordinator and a superintendent of education until retirement in 1992, at which time he entered law school. He was called to the Newfoundland Bar in April 1996 and is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland. He practiced law in St. John’s until 2007.

He was Mayor of the Town of Placentia for sixteen years and a member of the Placentia Council for nineteen years. He was chairperson of the first Joint Councils of the Placentia area and served as Chairperson of the Placentia Area Recreation Commission. He was one of the founding directors of the Placentia Health Care Board, and served eight years as its vice-president. He served six years on the Board of Directors of Marine Atlantic.

In 1990 he was named first winner of the Johnson Foundation Award, granted annually by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association to a provincial educator who has made a major contribution to community life. That same year he was named Placentia Citizen of the Year.

In February, 2006, Mr. Collins was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for the District of Placentia and St. Mary’s in a by-election. He was re-elected on October 9, 2007.

As a Member of the House of Assembly, Mr. Collins has served as Deputy Chair of Committees, Chair of the Elections and Privileges Committee, and a Member of the Public Accounts Committee. He has also served as Legislative Advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources and as Commissioner for the St. John’s Urban Region (Agricultural) Development Area Boundary Review.

On October 7, 2009, Premier Williams appointed Mr. Collins to serve as Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Mr. Collins is married, and has three children and one granddaughter.