List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the First Minister for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, which was at certain points in its history a colony, dominion, and province. The province had a system of responsible government from 1855 to 1934, and again since 1949. Newfoundland became a British crown colony in 1855, in 1907 it became a dominion, and in 1949, it became a province and joined Canadian Confederation. Since then, the province has been a part of the Canadian federation and has kept its own legislature to deal with provincial matters. The province was named Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.[1]

The province has a unicameral Westminster-style parliamentary government, in which the Premier is the leader of the party that controls the most seats in the House of Assembly. The Premier is Newfoundland and Labrador's head of government, and the Queen of Canada is its head of state and is represented by the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier picks a cabinet from the elected members to form the Executive Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and presides over that body. Members are first elected to the House during general elections. General elections must be conducted every four years from the date of the last election. An election may also take place if the governing party loses the confidence of the legislature by the defeat of a supply bill or tabling of a confidence motion.[2]

From 1855 to 1908, the position of First Minister was known as Prime Minister and later Premier. After the colony was granted dominion status, the position became known as Prime Minister.[3] Democratic government was suspended in 1934 and replaced by an appointed Commission of Government, until 1949 Newfoundland became a province of Canada. Since the reinstitution of democratic government in 1949, the position of First Minister has been known as Premier.[4]

Since 1855, Newfoundland and Labrador has been led by ten Colonial Premiers, nine Dominion Prime Ministers, three Chairmen of Commission of Government, and twelve Provincial Premiers. Of the Provincial Premiers six are from the Liberal Party, and seven are from the Progressive Conservative Party.

Premiers of the Newfoundland Colony (1855-1907)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office Electoral mandates (Parliament) Political party


1
Philip Francis Little.jpg
 Philip Francis Little
(1824–1897)
MHA for St. John's		 7 May[5] 1855
–
16 July[6] 1858		 Liberal Party


First premier as colony achieves responsible government.
2
75x150px
 John Kent
(1805–1872)
MHA for St. John's East		 16 July 1858
–
March[7] 1861		 Liberal Party


Largely supported by Catholics, Kent was dismissed by the governor after accusing him of conspiring against the government. The subsequent election was fought on sectarian lines; rioting broke out when the governor cancelled voting in the Catholic town of Harbour Grace thus denying Kent two seats needed to prevent a Conservative majority.
3
HughHoyles1861.jpg
 Sir Hugh Hoyles
(1814–1888)		 March 1861
–
 Conservative Party


Appointed by the governor after his predecessor's dismissal, Hoyle narrowly won the subsequent election. Government tried to reduce sectarian tensions by inviting Catholics into his cabinet and including them in patronage appointments.
4
(1 of 2)
FrederickCarter.jpg
 Sir Frederick Carter
(1819–1900)
–
 Conservative Party


Proposed confederation with Canada but was defeated by Anti-Confederate opposition in 1869.
5
Charles Fox Bennett.jpg
 Charles Fox Bennett
(1793–1883)
MHA for Placentia—St. Mary's		 14 February[8] 1870
–
30 January[8] 1874		 Anti-Confederation Party


Opposed confederation with Canada; abolished mining royalties; increased geological survey grant and funds for roads and public works; improved coastal steamship service and instituted direct shipping service to England; reorganized Newfoundland Constabulary to take over policing duties after British garrison withdrawn; acquiesced to US fishing rights in Treaty of Washington (1871); began a lead mine at Port au Port, challenging France's rights to the French Shore, but was forced to close by UK government.
4
(2 of 2)
FrederickCarter.jpg
 Sir Frederick Carter
(1819–1900)
MHA for Twillingate—Fogo		 30 January[9] 1874
–
April[10] 1878		 Conservative Party


Created publicly funded denominational school system
6
(1 of 3)
Whiteway.jpg
 Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
MHA for Trinity Bay		 April[10] 1878
–
October[10] 1885		 Conservative Party


Non-sectarian government including Catholics and Protestants; Proposed and arranged financing for construction of the transinsular railway in order to develop and diversify the economy; government collapsed following sectarian riots in Harbour Grace when several Protestant ministers quit to protest government's conciliatory attitude towards Catholics.
7
Rthorburn.jpg
 Sir Robert Thorburn
(1836–1906)
MHA for Trinity Bay		 12 October[11] 1885
–
 Reform Party


Rejected preceding government's railway plan in order to focus on developing fishery based economy; belatedly attempted to invest in public works when fishery downturn caused economic stagnation.
6
(2 of 3)
Whiteway.jpg
 Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
–
 Liberal Party


Continued development of the railway; government lost power due to corruption scandal.
8
No image.svg
 Augustus F. Goodridge
(1839–1920)		 April[12] 1894
–
December 1894		 Tory Party


9
No image.svg
 Daniel Joseph Greene
(1850–1911)		 13 December[13] 1894
–
8 February[13] 1895		 Liberal Party


6
(3 of 3)
Whiteway.jpg
 Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
–
 Liberal Party


Failed negotiations with Canada to enter confederation.
10
No image.svg
 Sir James Spearman Winter
(1845–1911)
–
5 March[14] 1900		 Tory Party


11
75x150px
 Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)		 15 March[15] 1900
–
 Liberal Party


Settlement of French Shore territorial dispute giving Newfoundland undisputed control of the island; failed attempt to negotiate free trade with the United States.

Prime Ministers of Newfoundland (1907-1934)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office Electoral mandates (Parliament) Political party


1
75x150px
 Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)
–
 Liberal Party


2
No image.svg
 Sir Edward Patrick Morris
(1859–1935)
–
 People's Party


Expansion of the transinsular railway; allowed speculators to buy timber rights on Crown land. Second term was dominated by the war, introduced income tax and formed a wartime national government. Represented Newfoundland at Imperial War Conference. Upon retirement became first and only Newfoundland born person to be raised to the peerage.
3
John Chalker Crosbie.png
 Sir John Crosbie
(1876–1932)
–
 People's Party


4
No image.svg
 Sir William F. Lloyd
(1864–1937)
–
 Liberal Party (national government)


Introduced conscription for the Newfoundland Regiment; led coalition government through the conclusion of the war.
5
No image.svg
 Sir Michael Patrick Cashin
(1864–1926)
–
 People's Party


6
Richard Squires.jpg
 Sir Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
–
July[16] 1923		 Liberal Reform Party


Attempted to diversify the economy and to reform the fisheries; nationalized the financially struggling transinsular railway; government fell due to a bribery scandal.
7
No image.svg
 William Warren
(1879–1927)		 July[17] 1923
–
April[17] 1924		 Liberal Reform Party


8
No image.svg
 Albert Hickman
(1875–1943)		 May 10 1924
–
June 9 1924
  • Appointment (no assembly)
 Liberal-Progressive (caretaker)


Joined with some members of former Liberal Reform Party and some members of other parties to form a Liberal-Progressive government
9
Walter Stanley Monroe.jpg
 Walter Stanley Monroe
(1871–1952)		 June 9 1924
–
15 August[18] 1928		 Liberal-Conservative Party


Settlement of the Labrador boundary dispute with Quebec after Newfoundland successfully argued its case at the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
10
No image.svg
 Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)		 15 August[18] 1928
–
 Liberal-Conservative Party


(6)
Richard Squires.jpg
 Sir Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
–
11 June[18] 1932		 Liberal Party


Attempted to govern during the Great Depression which saw a collapse of fish prices and widespread unemployment; Newfoundland requested to join Confederation in exchange for a bailout but was rejected by Canada; economic instability and allegations of corruption inflamed public opinion resulting in a riot and the fall of the government.
(10)
No image.svg
 Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)		 11 June[18] 1932
–
16 February[18] 1934		 United Newfoundland Party


Alderdice's United Newfoundland Party wins election on the promise that it will examine the possibility of suspending the constitution and having a commission administer the country until the financial crisis improves. UK and Canada agree to give the dominion financial aid in exchange for a Royal Commission on the Newfoundland's future. Alderdice accepts the Commission's recommendation to suspend responsible government and replace it with a Commission of Government appointed by London.

Chairmen of the Commission of Government (1934-1949)

With the suspension of responsible government and Newfoundland's dominion status, the colony was administered by the Commission of Government, from 1934 to 1949. It was a body of seven appointed by the British government, made up of three British officials, three Newfoundlanders, and chaired by the Governor of Newfoundland.[19]

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Term of office
1
David Murray Anderson.jpg
 Admiral Sir David Murray Anderson
(1874–1936)		 16 February 1934[18] October 1935[20]
2
Humphrey T. Walwyn.jpg
 Vice-Admiral Sir Humphrey T. Walwyn
(1879–1957)		 February 1936[21] 16 January 1946[20]
3
No image.svg
 Gordon MacDonald
(1888–1966)		 16 January 1946[20] 1 April 1949[20]

Premiers of the Province of Newfoundland (1949-2001)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office[22] Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party


1
Joseph Smallwood signing Newfoundland into Confederation.jpg
 Joey Smallwood
(1900–1991)
MHA for Bonavista North (until 1959) (1962-1966)
MHA for St. John's West (1959-1962)
MHA for Humber West (1966-1971)		 1 April[23] 1949
–
18 January 1972		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1949


Led successful campaign for Newfoundland to join Canada; longest serving first minister in Newfoundland history; creation of welfare state; development of hydroelectricity, mining and paper industries; Churchill Falls Generating Station and hyrdo contract with Quebec.
2
No image.svg
 Frank Moores
(1933–2005)
MHA for Humber West		 18 January[23] 1972
–
26 March 1979		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1970


First Progressive Conservative premier; emphasized rural development and resource control
3
No image.svg
 Brian Peckford
(b. 1942)
MHA for Green Bay		 26 March[23] 1979
–
22 March 1989		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1979


Youngest first minister in Newfoundland history; Negotiated first Atlantic Accord with Ottawa to give province greater say in and financial benefit from offshore energy exploitation; Hibernia oil field development; new provincial flag, expansion of high school to grade 12; construction of Trans-Labrador Highway; creation of the Department of the Environment.
4
No image.svg
 Tom Rideout
(b. 1948)
MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale		 22 March[23] 1989
–
5 May 1989		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1989


5
No image.svg
 Clyde Wells
(b. 1937)
MHA for Bay of Islands		 5 May[23] 1989
–
26 January 1996		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1987


Obstructed the Meech Lake Accord, negotiated Charlottetown Accord, creation of a public school system replacing two parochial streams, budgetary reform, economic diversification in response to collapse of the Atlantic northwest cod fishery.
6
Briantobin.jpg
 Brian Tobin
(b. 1954)
MHA for Bay of Islands (until 1999)
MHA for The Straits – White Bay North (from 1999)		 26 January[23] 1996
–
16 October 2000		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1996


Completed replacement of separate school system with public schools,
7
No image.svg
 Beaton Tulk
(b. 1944)
MHA for Bonavista North		 16 October[23] 2000
–
13 February 2001		 Liberal Party
Named leader in interim


8
Roger Grimes cropped.jpg
 Roger Grimes
(b. 1950)
MHA for Exploits		 13 February[23] 2001
–
6 December[1] 2001		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 2001


Premiers of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (2001-present)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office[22] Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party


8
Roger Grimes cropped.jpg
 Roger Grimes
(b. 1950)
MHA for Exploits		 6 December[1] 2001
–
6 November 2003		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 2001


Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada
9
Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams.jpg
 Danny Williams
(b. 1949)
MHA for Humber West		 6 November[23] 2003
–
3 December[24] 2010		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2001


Reorganization, of health and education; negotiated Second Atlantic Accord to keep 100% of oil revenues in the province; negotiated deals to develop Hebron offshore oil field and expand Hibernia oil field; successfully opposed sale of New Brunswick Power to Hydro-Québec; further development of Lower Churchill Project and Muskrat Falls with transmission lines to Maritimes and the US;
10
Kathy Dunderdale 31May2011.jpg
 Kathy Dunderdale
(b. 1952)
MHA for Virginia Waters		 3 December[25] 2010
–
24 January 2014		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2011[1]


First female premier; school board consolidation; further resource development; sanctioning of Muskrat Falls and negotiation of federal loan guarantee for the project;
11
No image.svg
 Tom Marshall
(b. 1946)
MHA for Humber East		 24 January[26] 2014
–
26 September[27] 2014		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2014 (interim)


12
Paul Davis.jpg
 Paul Davis
(b. 1961)
MHA for Topsail		 26 September[27] 2014
–
14 December 2015		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2014


13
No image.svg
 Dwight Ball
(b. 1957)
MHA for Humber-Gros Morne		 14 December 2015
–
 Liberal Party
Named leader in 2013


1.^ Dunderdale was named interim Progressive Conservative Party leader on 26 November 2010,[24] she was not elected party leader until 2 April 2011.[28]

Timeline of Newfoundland Premiers

Living former premiers

As of December 2015, ten former premiers are alive, the oldest being Clyde Wells (1989–1996, born 1937). The most recent former premier to die was Frank Moores (1972–1979), on 10 July 2005.

Name Term Date of birth
Brian Peckford 1979–1989 (1942-08-27) 27 August 1942 (age 82)
Tom Rideout 1989 (1948-06-25) 25 June 1948 (age 76)
Clyde Wells 1989–1996 (1937-11-09) 9 November 1937 (age 87)
Brian Tobin 1996–2000 (1954-10-21) 21 October 1954 (age 70)
Beaton Tulk 2000–2001 (1944-05-22) 22 May 1944 (age 80)
Roger Grimes 2001–2003 (1950-05-02) 2 May 1950 (age 74)
Danny Williams 2003–2010 (1949-08-04) 4 August 1949 (age 75)
Kathy Dunderdale 2010–2014 (1952-02-05) 5 February 1952 (age 72)
Tom Marshall 2014 (1946-10-26) 26 October 1946 (age 78)
Paul Davis 2014–2015 (1961-06-17) 17 June 1961 (age 63)

See also

References

General
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Specific
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/augustus-f-goodridge
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/daniel-joseph-greene
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/sir-richard-anderson-squires
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/newfoundland/newfoundlandadmin.htm
  21. ↑ http://www.heritage.nf.ca/govhouse/governors/g67.html
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 23.7 23.8 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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