List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador

The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is current title of 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 on April 1, 1949 .[1]

Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador

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 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 fourteen Provincial premiers. Of the Provincial premiers, seven 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)
Term of office Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party Riding Ref.
1
Philip Francis Little
(1824–1897)
7 May
1855
16 July
1858
  • 1855 election(6th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for St. John's [5][6]
First premier as colony achieves responsible government.
2
John Kent
(1805–1872)
16 July
1858
c.March
1861
  • Appointment(6th Assembly)
  • 1859 election(7th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for St. John's East [7]
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)
c.March
1861
4 March
1865
  • Appointment(7th Assembly)
  • 1861 election(8th Assembly)
Conservative MHA for Burin [8]
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)
c.March
1865
11 February
1870
  • Appointment(8th Assembly)
  • 1865 election(9th Assembly)
Conservative MHA for Burin [9]
Proposed confederation with Canada but was defeated by Anti-Confederate opposition in 1869.
5
Charles Fox Bennett
(1793–1883)
14 February
1870
30 January
1874
  • 1869 election(10th Assembly)
  • 1873 election(11th Assembly)
Anti-Confederation MHA for Placentia—St. Mary's [10]
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)
30 January
1874
c.April
1878
  • Appointment(11th Assembly)
  • 1874 election(12th Assembly)
Conservative MHA for Twillingate—Fogo [11][12]
Created publicly funded denominational school system
6
(1 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
c.April
1878
c.October
1885
  • Appointment(12th Assembly)
  • 1878 election(13th Assembly)
  • 1882 election(14th Assembly)
Conservative MHA for [12]
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)
12 October
1885
 
c.1889
  • 1885 election(15th Assembly)
Reform MHA for Trinity Bay [13]
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)
c.December
1889
11 April
1894
  • 1889 election(16th Assembly)
  • 1893 election(17th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Trinity Bay [12]
Continued development of the railway; government lost power due to corruption scandal.
8
Augustus F. Goodridge
(1839–1920)
c.April
1894
c.December
1894
  • Appointment(17th Assembly)
Tory MHA for Twillingate [14]
9
Daniel Joseph Greene
(1850–1911)
13 December
1894
8 February
1895
  • Appointment(17th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Ferryland [15]
6
(3 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
8 February
1895
 
c.1897
  • Appointment(17th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Trinity Bay [12]
Failed negotiations with Canada to enter confederation. Represented Newfoundland at the 1897 Colonial Conference in London.
10
Sir James Spearman Winter
(1845–1911)
 
c.1897
5 March
1900
  • 1897 election(18th Assembly)
Tory MHA for Burin [16]
11
Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)
15 March
1900
25 September
1907
  • Appointment(18th Assembly)
  • 1900 election(19th Assembly)
  • 1904 election(20th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Twillingate [17]
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 Prime Minister of the Dominion of Newfoundland.[18]

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party Riding Ref.
1
Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)
26 September
1907
2 March
1909
  • Title created(20th Assembly)
  • 1908 election(21st Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Twillingate [19][20]
2
Sir Edward Patrick Morris
(1859–1935)
2 March
1909
31 December
1917
  • Appointment(21st Assembly)
  • 1909 election(22nd Assembly)
  • 1913 election(23rd Assembly)
People's MHA for St. John's West [20][21]
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
  • Appointment(23rd Assembly)
People's MHA for Bay de Verde
Caretaker prime minister
4
Sir William F. Lloyd
(1864–1937)
5 January
1918
20 May
1919
  • Appointment(23rd Assembly)
Liberal Reform MHA for Trinity Bay [22]
Introduced conscription for the Newfoundland Regiment; led coalition government through the conclusion of the war.
5
Michael Patrick Cashin
(1864–1926)
22 May
1919
17 November
1919
  • Appointment(23rd Assembly)
People's MHA for Ferryland [23][24]
6
(1 of 2)
Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
17 November
1919
23 July
1923
  • Appointment(23rd Assembly)
  • 1919 election(24th Assembly)
  • 1923 election(25th Assembly)
Liberal Reform MHA for St. John's West [24][25]
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
1923
7 May
1924
  • Appointment(25th Assembly)
Liberal Reform MHA for Fortune Bay [26][27][28]
8
Albert Hickman
(1875–1943)
10 May
1924
9 June
1924
  • Appointment(caretaker government)
Liberal-Progressive Did not hold a seat in legislature [28]
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
1928
  • 1924 election(26th Assembly)
Liberal-Conservative MHA for Bonavista [29]
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
(1 of 2)
Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)
15 August
1928
17 November
1928
  • Appointment(26th Assembly)
Liberal-Conservative Did not hold a seat in legislature [29][30]

(2 of 2)
Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
17 November
1928
11 June
1932
  • 1928 election(27th Assembly)
Liberal MHA for Humber [24][29]
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.

(2 of 2)
Frederick C. Alderdice
(1872–1936)
11 June
1932
16 February
1934
  • 1932 election(28th Assembly)
United Newfoundland MHA for St. John's West [29]
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 the dominion 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.[31]

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
District
Term of office
1
Admiral Sir David Murray Anderson
(1874–1936)
16 February
1934[29]
October
1935[32]
2
Vice-Admiral Sir Humphrey T. Walwyn
(1879–1957)
February
1936[33]
16 January
1946[32]
3
Gordon MacDonald
(1888–1966)
16 January
1946[32]
1 April
1949[32]

Premiers of the Provinces of Newfoundland (1949–2001) and Newfoundland and Labrador (2001–present)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Electoral mandates (Assembly) Political party Riding Ref.
1
Joey Smallwood
(1900–1991)
1 April
1949
18 January
1972
  • Title created(caretaker government)
  • 1949 election(29th Assembly)
  • 1951 election(30th Assembly)
  • 1956 election(31st Assembly)
  • 1959 election(32nd Assembly)
  • 1962 election(33rd Assembly)
  • 1966 election(34th Assembly)
  • 1971 election(35th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 1949)
MHA for Bonavista North
(1949-1959; 1962-1966)
MHA for St. John's West
(1959-1962)
MHA for Humber West
(1966-1971)
MHA for Placentia East
(1971-1972)
[34]
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 hydro contract with Quebec.
2
Frank Moores
(1933–2005)
18 January
1972
26 March
1979
  • 1972 election(36th Assembly)
  • 1975 election(37th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1970)
MHA for Humber West [34]
First Progressive Conservative premier; emphasized rural development and resource control
3
Brian Peckford
(b. 1942)
26 March
1979
22 March
1989
  • Appointment(37th Assembly)
  • 1979 election(38th Assembly)
  • 1982 election(39th Assembly)
  • 1985 election(40th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1979)
MHA for Green Bay [34]
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)
22 March
1989
5 May
1989
  • Appointment(40th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1989)
MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale [34]
5
Clyde Wells
(b. 1937)
5 May
1989
26 January
1996
  • 1989 election(41st Assembly)
  • 1993 election(42nd Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 1987)
MHA for Bay of Islands [34]
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)
26 January
1996
16 October
2000
  • Appointment(42nd Assembly)
  • 1996 election(43rd Assembly)
  • 1999 election(44th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 1996)
MHA for Bay of Islands
(1996-1999)
MHA for The Straits – White Bay North
(1999-2000)
[34]
Completed replacement of separate school system with public schools,
7
Beaton Tulk
(1944–2019)
16 October
2000
13 February
2001
  • Appointment(44th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. interim)
MHA for Bonavista North [34]
8
Roger Grimes
(b. 1950)
13 February
2001
6 November
2003
  • Appointment(44th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 2001)
MHA for Exploits [34]
Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada
9
Danny Williams
(b. 1949)
6 November
2003
3 December
2010
  • 2003 election(45th Assembly)
  • 2007 election(46th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2001)
MHA for Humber West [34][35]
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)
3 December
2010
24 January
2014
  • Appointment(46th Assembly)
  • 2011 election(47th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2011)
MHA for Virginia Waters [36]
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)
24 January
2014
26 September
2014
  • Appointment(47th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2014 (interim))
MHA for Humber East [37][38]
12
Paul Davis
(b. 1961)
26 September
2014
14 December
2015
  • Appointment(47th Assembly)
Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2014)
MHA for Topsail [38]
Reduced the number of electoral districts in the province to 40; introduced the Downpayment Assistance Program.
13
Dwight Ball
(b. 1957)
14 December
2015
19 August
2020
  • 2015 election(48th Assembly)
  • 2019 election(49th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 2013)
MHA for Humber-Gros Morne
Called a public inquiry into cost overruns of the Muskrat Falls Lower Churchill Project and negotiated with the federal government, changes in the financial structure of the project in an attempt to mitigate the impact of cost overruns on energy rates and the provincial debt. Re-elected to a minority government in 2019. Resigned following criticisms over the awarding of non-competitive contracts and appointments benefiting individuals with links to the Liberal Party.
14
Andrew Furey
(b. 1975)
19 August
2020
incumbent
  • Appointment(49th Assembly)
  • 2021 election(50th Assembly)
Liberal
(Ldr. 2020)
MHA for Humber-Gros Morne
Was not an MHA until winning the seat left by his predecessor, Dwight Ball.
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 and Labrador premiers

Living former premiers

As of August 2022, ten former premiers are alive, the oldest being Clyde Wells (19891996, born 1937). The most recent former premier to die was Beaton Tulk (20002001), on 23 May 2019.

NameTermDate of birth
Brian Peckford 19791989 (1942-08-27) 27 August 1942
Tom Rideout
1989
(1948-06-25) 25 June 1948
Clyde Wells 19891996 (1937-11-09) 9 November 1937
Brian Tobin 19962000 (1954-10-21) 21 October 1954
Roger Grimes 20012003 (1950-05-02) 2 May 1950
Danny Williams 20032010 (1949-08-04) 4 August 1949
Kathy Dunderdale 20102014 (1952-02-05) 5 February 1952
Tom Marshall
2014
(1946-10-26) 26 October 1946
Paul Davis 20142015 (1961-06-17) 17 June 1961
Dwight Ball 20152020 (1957-12-21) 21 December 1957

See also

  • Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador)
  • List of Newfoundland and Labrador lieutenant-governors

References

General
  • "General Election Statistics". Elections Newfoundland and Labrador. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  • "Journal of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
Specific
  1. "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 (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. X (1871–1880) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  8. "Biography – HOYLES, Sir HUGH WILLIAM – Volume XI (1881-1890) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography".
  9. "CARTER, Sir FREDERIC BOWKER TERRINGTON". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  10. Hiller, James K. (1982). "Bennett, Charles James Fox". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XI (1881–1890) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  11. Hiller, J.K. (1990). "Carter, Sir Frederic Bowker Terrington". In Halpenny, Francess G (ed.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XII (1891–1900) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  12. Hiller, J.K. (1994). "Whiteway, Sir William Vallance". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  13. Hiller, J. K. (1994). "Thorburn, Sir Robert". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XIII (1901–1910) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  14. Pitt, Robert D. "Augustus F. Goodridge". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
  15. Pitt, Robert D. "Daniel Joseph Greene". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  16. Hiller, James K. (1998). "Winter, Sir James Spearman". In Cook, Ramsay; Hamelin, Jean (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XIV (1911–1920) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  17. Baker, Melvin; Neary, Peter (2005). "Bond, Sir Robert". In Cook, Ramsay; Bélanger, Réal (eds.). Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Vol. XV (1921–1930) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press.
  18. "From 'Colony of Newfoundland' to the 'Dominion of Newfoundland'". Archival Moments. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  19. From ‘Colony of Newfoundland’ to the ‘Dominion of Newfoundland’ | Archival Moments Archived 2016-04-25 at the Wayback Machine
  20. "Bond, Robert". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. p. 221.
  21. "Morris, Edward Patrick". Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador. pp. 622–24.
  22. Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 3 [Extract: letter L] :: Centre for Newfoundland Studies
  23. "CASHIN, Sir MICHAEL PATRICK". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  24. "SQUIRES, Sir RICHARD ANDERSON". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. University of Toronto/Université Laval. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  25. "Sir Richard Anderson Squires". Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  26. "Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 5 [Extract: letter W] :: Centre for Newfoundland Studies - Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador". collections.mun.ca.
  27. Pitt, Robert. "William Robertson Warren". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  28. "Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 2 [Extract: letter Hac-Hoy] :: Centre for Newfoundland Studies - Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador". collections.mun.ca.
  29. "Hon. F.C. Alderdice dead in St. John's". The Gazette. February 27, 1936. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  30. "Frederick Charles Alderdice". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  31. "Commission Governors, 1934-1948". Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  32. "The British Empire, Imperialism, Colonialism, Colonies". www.britishempire.co.uk.
  33. "Walwyn, Sir Humphrey Thomas (1879-1957)". www.heritage.nf.ca.
  34. "Newfoundland and Labrador". Parliamentary website. Library of Parliament. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  35. "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. "Davis to be sworn-in as premier Friday". The Aurora. 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  39. "Dunderdale takes risk with Harper pledge". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 4, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011.

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