List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador (Redirected from Prime Minister of Newfoundland)

Flag 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 .

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 king 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.

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. 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 title of first minister has been premier.

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 Leg.) Liberal MHA for St. John's
First premier as colony achieves responsible government.
2
John Kent
(1805–1872)
16 July
1858
c. March
1861
Appointment (6th Leg.)⁠

1859 election (7th Leg.)

Liberal MHA for St. John's East
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 Leg.)⁠

1861 election (8th Leg.)

Conservative MHA for Burin
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 Leg.)⁠

1865 election (9th Leg.)

Conservative MHA for Burin
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 Leg.)⁠

1873 election (11th Leg.)

Anti-Confederation MHA for Placentia—St. Mary's
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 Leg.)⁠

1874 election (12th Leg.)

Conservative MHA for Twillingate—Fogo
Created publicly funded denominational school system
6
(1 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
c. April
1878
c. October
1885
Appointment (12th Leg.)⁠

1878 election (13th Leg.)⁠


1882 election (14th Leg.)

Conservative MHA for
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 Leg.) Reform MHA for Trinity Bay
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 Leg.)⁠

1893 election (17th Leg.)

Liberal MHA for Trinity Bay
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 Leg.) Tory MHA for Twillingate
9
Daniel Joseph Greene
(1850–1911)
13 December
1894
8 February
1895
Appointment (17th Leg.) Liberal MHA for Ferryland
6
(3 of 3)
Sir William Whiteway
(1828–1908)
8 February
1895

c. 1897
Appointment (17th Leg.) Liberal MHA for Trinity Bay
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 Leg.) Tory MHA for Burin
11
Sir Robert Bond
(1857–1927)
15 March
1900
25 September
1907
Appointment (18th Leg.)⁠

1900 election (19th Leg.)⁠


1904 election (20th Leg.)

Liberal MHA for Twillingate
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.

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 Leg.)⁠

1908 election (21st Leg.)

Liberal MHA for Twillingate
2
Sir Edward Patrick Morris
(1859–1935)
2 March
1909
31 December
1917
Appointment (21st Leg.)⁠

1909 election (22nd Leg.)⁠


1913 election (23rd Leg.)

People's MHA for St. John's West
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 Leg.) 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 Leg.) Liberal Reform MHA for Trinity Bay
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 Leg.) People's MHA for Ferryland
6
(1 of 2)
Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
17 November
1919
23 July
1923
Appointment (23rd Leg.)⁠

1919 election (24th Leg.)⁠


1923 election (25th Leg.)

Liberal Reform MHA for St. John's West
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 Leg.) Liberal Reform MHA for Fortune Bay
8
Albert Hickman
(1875–1943)
10 May
1924
9 June
1924
Appointment (caretaker government) Liberal-Progressive Did not hold a seat in legislature
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 Leg.) Liberal-Conservative MHA for Bonavista
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 Leg.) Liberal-Conservative Councillor for dominion-at-large

(2 of 2)
Richard Squires
(1880–1940)
17 November
1928
11 June
1932
1928 election (27th Leg.) Liberal MHA for Humber
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 Leg.) United Newfoundland MHA for St. John's West
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.

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

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 Leg.)⁠


1951 election (30th Leg.)⁠


1956 election (31st Leg.)⁠


1959 election (32nd Leg.)⁠


1962 election (33rd Leg.)⁠


1966 election (34th Leg.)⁠


1971 election (35th Leg.)

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)

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 Leg.)⁠

1975 election (37th Leg.)

Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1970)
MHA for Humber West
First Progressive Conservative premier; emphasized rural development and resource control
3
Brian Peckford
(b. 1942)
26 March
1979
22 March
1989
Appointment (37th Leg.)⁠

1979 election (38th Leg.)⁠


1982 election (39th Leg.)⁠


1985 election (40th Leg.)

Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1979)
MHA for Green Bay
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 Leg.) Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 1989)
MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale
5
Clyde Wells
(b. 1937)
5 May
1989
26 January
1996
1989 election (41st Leg.)⁠

1993 election (42nd Leg.)

Liberal
(Ldr. 1987)
MHA for Bay of Islands
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 Leg.)⁠

1996 election (43rd Leg.)⁠


1999 election (44th Leg.)

Liberal
(Ldr. 1996)
MHA for Bay of Islands
(1996-1999)

MHA for The Straits – White Bay North
(1999-2000)

Completed replacement of separate school system with public schools,
7
Beaton Tulk
(1944–2019)
16 October
2000
13 February
2001
Appointment (44th Leg.) Liberal
(Ldr. interim)
MHA for Bonavista North
8
Roger Grimes
(b. 1950)
13 February
2001
6 November
2003
Appointment (44th Leg.) Liberal
(Ldr. 2001)
MHA for Exploits
Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada
9
Danny Williams
(b. 1949)
6 November
2003
3 December
2010
2003 election (45th Leg.)⁠

2007 election (46th Leg.)

Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2001)
MHA for Humber West
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 Leg.)⁠

2011 election (47th Leg.)

Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2011[1])
MHA for Virginia Waters
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 Leg.) Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. interim)
MHA for Humber East
12
Paul Davis
(b. 1961)
26 September
2014
14 December
2015
Appointment (47th Leg.) Progressive Conservative
(Ldr. 2014)
MHA for Topsail
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 Leg.)⁠

2019 election (49th Leg.)

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 Leg.)⁠

2021 election (50th Leg.)

Liberal
(Ldr. 2020)
MHA for Humber-Gros Morne
Was not an MHA until winning the seat left by his predecessor, Dwight Ball. Managed the COVID-19 pandemic; Appointed the Premier's Economic Recovery Taskforce; Re-elected to a majority government in 2021; Amalgamation of the four health authorities.
1.^ Dunderdale was named interim Progressive Conservative Party leader on 26 November 2010, she was not elected party leader until 2 April 2011.

See also


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