Earle McCurdy

Earle McCurdy (born 1950)[1] is a former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party and a former labour leader in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union from 1993 to 2014,[2] succeeding founding president Richard Cashin.[3] Previously, McCurdy was the union's secretary-treasurer for 13 years, from 1980 to 1993.[3]

Earle McCurdy
Leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party
In office
March 7, 2015 – September 28, 2017
Preceded byLorraine Michael
Succeeded byLorraine Michael (interim)
Personal details
Born1950 (age 72–73)
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Political partyNew Democratic Party
Residence(s)St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
OccupationPolitician, labour leader

Background

McCurdy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1950,[4] and grew up in St. John's, Newfoundland where he attended Prince of Wales Collegiate.[1] He is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1972,[1] and worked as a reporter for The St. John's Evening Telegram in the 1970s, covering the labour beat, before becoming involved with the fisheries' union.[5]

His most notable time as union president was during Canada's fishing dispute with the European Union, known as the Turbot War.[4][6]

NDP Leader

McCurdy was elected leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador NDP at the party's leadership convention held March 7, 2015, defeating two other contenders with 68% support on the first ballot.[7][4] In the 2015 provincial election, McCurdy failed to win a seat in the House of Assembly and was defeated by Siobhán Coady by nearly 1000 votes.[8][9][10][11]

On June 11, 2016, McCurdy's leadership was reaffirmed at the party's provincial convention with the support of 91.6% of delegates.[12]

On September 19, 2017, McCurdy announced his resignation as Leader, effective September 30, 2017.[13] His resignation came after Steve Kent announced he would resign his seat of Mount Pearl North where McCurdy resided but which was unlikely to be winnable for the NDP.[14] Following McCurdy's resignation, MHA and former leader Lorraine Michael was named interim leader.[15]

Electoral record
St. John's West - 2015 Newfoundland and Labrador general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
LiberalSiobhán Coady2,34246.0
New DemocraticEarle McCurdy1,38427.2
Progressive ConservativeDan Crummell1,36426.8
NL NDP Leadership Election, 2015
First Ballot[7]
Candidate Votes Perc.
Earle McCurdy 889 68.5%
Mike Goosney 299 23.0%
Chris Bruce 110 8.5%
Spoiled Ballots 0 0.00%
Totals 1298 100%

References
  1. "Why the Divorce? The Merits and Shortcomings of a fleet separation policy" (PDF). Memorial University. The Harris Centre - Memorial University.
  2. "Earle McCurdy NDP Biography". Archived from the original on 2015-02-22. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  3. "Earle McCurdy stepping down from helm of fisheries union". CBC News. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  4. "Take us to your leaders: What you may not know about Davis, Ball and McCurdy". www.cbc.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  5. Wakeham, Bob (January 17, 2015). "McCurdy and me". The Telegram. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  6. "Depleted Fish Stocks Spark Canada's Turbot War With Spain". Chicago Tribune. March 19, 1995. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  7. "Earle McCurdy Named Leader of the NDP". VOCM News. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  8. "Newfoundland & Labrador Election Platform 2015" (PDF). Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party. 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. "'Nothing fancy': Earle McCurdy costs out NDP election plan". www.cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. "NDP Leader Earle McCurdy loses to Siobhan Coady". CBC News. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  11. "Full list of winners in Newfoundland and Labrador election". CBC News, November 30, 2015.
  12. "Earle McCurdy gets overwhelming endorsement to stay on as NDP leader". CBC News. June 13, 2016.
  13. "McCurdy to Step Down as Provincial NDP Leader". VOCM Local News Now. Archived from the original on 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2017-09-19.
  14. "Promotions, resignations, murder trials: Uncontrollable events in N.L. politics". CBC News. September 23, 2017.
  15. "Lorraine Michael named interim NDP leader". Saltwire Network. Sep 28, 2017. Retrieved Apr 6, 2021.
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