List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador

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 1907, the position of first minister was known as Premier. After the colony was granted dominion status, the position became known as Dominion 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
(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
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
Sir Hugh Hoyles
(1814–1888)		 March 1861
–
4 March 1865		 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)
Sir Frederick Carter
(1819–1900)		 March 1865
–
11 February[8] 1870		 Conservative Party
Proposed confederation with Canada but was defeated by Anti-Confederate opposition in 1869.
5
Charles Fox Bennett
(1793–1883)
MHA for Placentia—St. Mary's		 14 February[9] 1870
–
30 January[9] 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)
Sir Frederick Carter
(1819–1900)
MHA for Twillingate—Fogo		 30 January[10] 1874
–
April[11] 1878		 Conservative Party
Created publicly funded denominational school system
6
(1 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
MHA for Trinity Bay		 April[11] 1878
–
October[11] 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
Sir Robert Thorburn
(1836–1906)
MHA for Trinity Bay		 12 October[12] 1885
–
1889		 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. Represented Newfoundland at the First Colonial Conference in London.
6
(2 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)		 December[11] 1889
–
11 April[11] 1894		 Liberal Party
Continued development of the railway; government lost power due to corruption scandal.
8
Augustus F. Goodridge
(1839–1920)		 April[13] 1894
–
December 1894		 Tory Party
9
Daniel Joseph Greene
(1850–1911)		 13 December[14] 1894
–
8 February[14] 1895		 Liberal Party
6
(3 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)		 8 February[11] 1895
–
1897		 Liberal Party
Failed negotiations with Canada to enter confederation. Represented Newfoundland at the 1897 Colonial Conference in London.
10
Sir James Spearman Winter
(1845–1911)		 1897
–
5 March[15] 1900		 Tory Party
11
Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)		 15 March[16] 1900
–
25 September 1907		 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. Represented Newfoundland at the 1902 Colonial Conference and then at the 1907 Imperial Conference, where it was agreed that Newfoundland and other self-governing colonies would be given dominion status.

Dominion Prime Ministers of Newfoundland (1907-1934)

By Royal Proclamation, the colony was granted dominion status on 26 September 1907 becoming the Dominion of Newfoundland with its head of government being given the title Dominion Prime Minister.[17]

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office Electoral mandates (Parliament) Political party
1
Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)		 26 September[18] 1907
–
2 March[19] 1909		 Liberal Party
2
Sir Edward Patrick Morris
(1859–1935)		 2 March[19] 1909
–
31 December[20] 1917		 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 the 1911 Imperial Conference and the Imperial War Conference. Upon retirement became first and only Newfoundland born person to be raised to the peerage.
3
Sir John Crosbie
(1876–1932)		 31 December 1917
–
5 January 1918		 People's Party
Caretaker prime minister
4
Sir William F. Lloyd
(1864–1937)		 5 January[21] 1918
–
20 May[21] 1919		 Liberal Party (national government)
Introduced conscription for the Newfoundland Regiment; led coalition government through the conclusion of the war.
5
Sir Michael Patrick Cashin
(1864–1926)		 22 May[22] 1919
–
17 November[23] 1919		 People's Party
6
Sir Richard Squires
(1880–1940)		 17 November[23] 1919
–
23 July[23][24] 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
William Warren
(1879–1927)		 24 July[25][26] 1923
–
7 May[27] 1924		 Liberal Reform Party
8
Albert Hickman
(1875–1943)		 10 May[27] 1924
–
9 June[27] 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
(1871–1952)		 9 June 1924
–
15 August[28] 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
Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)		 15 August[28] 1928
–
17 November[29] 1928		 Liberal-Conservative Party
(6)
Sir Richard Squires
(1880–1940)		 17 November[23] 1928
–
11 June[28] 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)
Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)		 11 June[28] 1932
–
16 February[28] 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.[30]

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Term of office
1
Admiral Sir David Murray Anderson
(1874–1936)		 16 February 1934[28] October 1935[31]
2
Vice-Admiral Sir Humphrey T. Walwyn
(1879–1957)		 February 1936[32] 16 January 1946[31]
3
Gordon MacDonald
(1888–1966)		 16 January 1946[31] 1 April 1949[31]

Premiers of the Province of Newfoundland (1949-2001)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District		 Term of office[33] Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party
1
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[34] 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
Frank Moores
(1933–2005)
MHA for Humber West		 18 January[34] 1972
–
26 March 1979		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1970
First Progressive Conservative premier; emphasized rural development and resource control
3
Brian Peckford
(b. 1942)
MHA for Green Bay		 26 March[34] 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. Brought greenhouse cucumbers to the province.
4
Tom Rideout
(b. 1948)
MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale		 22 March[34] 1989
–
5 May 1989		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 1989
5
Clyde Wells
(b. 1937)
MHA for Bay of Islands		 5 May[34] 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
Brian Tobin
(b. 1954)
MHA for Bay of Islands (until 1999)
MHA for The Straits – White Bay North (from 1999)		 26 January[34] 1996
–
16 October 2000		 Liberal Party
Named leader in 1996
Completed replacement of separate school system with public schools,
7
Beaton Tulk
(b. 1944)
MHA for Bonavista North		 16 October[34] 2000
–
13 February 2001		 Liberal Party
Named leader in interim
8
Roger Grimes
(b. 1950)
MHA for Exploits		 13 February[34] 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[33] Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party
8
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
Danny Williams
(b. 1949)
MHA for Humber West		 6 November[34] 2003
–
3 December[35] 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
(b. 1952)
MHA for Virginia Waters		 3 December[36] 2010
–
24 January 2014		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2011
First female premier; school board consolidation; further resource development; sanctioning of Muskrat Falls and negotiation of federal loan guarantee for the project;
11
Tom Marshall
(b. 1946)
MHA for Humber East		 24 January[37] 2014
–
26 September[38] 2014		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2014 (interim)
12
Paul Davis
(b. 1961)
MHA for Topsail		 26 September[38] 2014
–
14 December 2015		 Progressive Conservative Party
Named leader in 2014
13
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,[35] she was not elected party leader until 2 April 2011.[39]

Timeline of Newfoundland Premiers

Dwight Ball Paul Davis (Canadian politician) Tom Marshall (politician) Kathy Dunderdale Danny Williams (politician) Roger Grimes Beaton Tulk Brian Tobin Clyde Wells Tom Rideout Brian Peckford Frank Moores Joey Smallwood

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.

NameTermDate of birth
Brian Peckford 1979–1989 27 August 1942
Tom Rideout 1989 25 June 1948
Clyde Wells 1989–1996 9 November 1937
Brian Tobin 1996–2000 21 October 1954
Beaton Tulk 2000–2001 22 May 1944
Roger Grimes 2001–2003 2 May 1950
Danny Williams 2003–2010 4 August 1949
Kathy Dunderdale 2010–2014 5 February 1952
Tom Marshall 2014 26 October 1946
Paul Davis 2014–2015 17 June 1961

See also

References

General
Specific
  1. 1 2 3 "Newfoundland". Library and Archives Canada. 2 May 2005. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "History of the House of Assembly". Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Colonial Governors, 1855-1933". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Lieutenant-Governors, 1949-Present". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
  5. ↑ Tapin, Glen W. (1970). Canadian Chronology. Scarecrow Press. p. 149.
  6. ↑ "Little, Philip Francis" (PDF). Public Archives of Canada. 1956. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  7. ↑ Waite, P. B. (1972). "Kent, John". In Hayne, David. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. X (1871–1880) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  8. ↑ "CARTER, Sir FREDERIC BOWKER TERRINGTON". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Hiller, James K. (1982). "Bennett, Charles James Fox". In Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XI (1881–1890) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  10. ↑ Hiller, J.K. (1990). "Carter, Sir Frederic Bowker Terrington". In Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XII (1891–1900) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hiller, J.K. (1994). "Whiteway, Sir William Vallance". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  12. ↑ Hiller, J. K. (1994). "Thorburn, Sir Robert". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  13. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/augustus-f-goodridge
  14. 1 2 http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/daniel-joseph-greene
  15. ↑ Hiller, James K. (1998). "Winter, Sir James Spearman". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XIV (1911–1920) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  16. ↑ Baker, Melvin; Neary, Peter (2005). "Bond, Sir Robert". In Cook, Ramsay; Bélanger, Réal. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XV (1921–1930) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  17. ↑ "From ‘Colony of Newfoundland’ to the ‘Dominion of Newfoundland’". Archival Moments. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  18. ↑ http://archivalmoments.ca/2014/09/from-colony-of-newfoundland-to-the-dominion-of-newfoundland/
  19. 1 2 "Bond, Robert". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. p. 221.
  20. ↑ "Morris, Edward Patrick". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. pp. 622–24.
  21. 1 2 http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns_enl/id/1871
  22. ↑ "CASHIN, Sir MICHAEL PATRICK". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "SQUIRES, Sir RICHARD ANDERSON". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  24. ↑ http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/sir-richard-anderson-squires
  25. ↑ http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns_enl/id/2405
  26. ↑ Pitt, Robert. "William Robertson Warren". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica-Dominion. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
  27. 1 2 3 http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/cns_enl/id/1326
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Hon. F.C. Alderdice dead in St. John's". The Gazette. February 27, 1936. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Frederick Charles Alderdice". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Commission Governors, 1934-1948". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  31. 1 2 3 4 http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/newfoundland/newfoundlandadmin.htm
  32. ↑ http://www.heritage.nf.ca/govhouse/governors/g67.html
  33. 1 2 "Former Premiers". Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Newfoundland and Labrador". Parliamentary website. Library of Parliament. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  35. 1 2 "N.L. Premier Danny Williams to leave Dec. 3". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 26, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
  36. ↑ "Kathy Dunderdale sworn in as N.L. Premier". CTV News. December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
  37. ↑ "Tom Marshall sworn in as 11th premier". CBC News. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  38. 1 2 "http://www.theaurora.ca/News/Regional/2014-09-25/article-3882563/Davis-to-be-sworn-in-as-premier-Friday/1?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter". The Aurora. 25 September 2014. External link in |title= (help);
  39. ↑ "Dunderdale takes risk with Harper pledge". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 4, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

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