This is a list of the premiers and Prime Ministers of Newfoundland and Labrador from the granting of responsible government in 1855 through dominion status, the colony joining Canadian confederation in 1949 and up to the modern day.
From 1855 to 1909 the position of first minister was known as Premier. After the colony was granted dominion status in 1907 the position became known as Prime Minister (starting in 1909). Democratic government was suspended in 1934 and replaced by an appointed Commission of Government which ended in 1949 when Newfoundland became a province of Canada. Since the reinstitution of democratic government in 1949 the position of first minister has again been known as Premier.
For governors prior to the establishment of responsible government see governors and lieutenant-governors of Newfoundland.
Premier |
Party |
From |
To |
Philip Francis Little
|
Liberal Party
|
May 7, 1855
|
1858
|
John Kent
|
Liberal Party
|
1858
|
1861
|
Sir Hugh W. Hoyles
|
Conservative Party
|
1861
|
April 1865
|
Sir Frederick Carter
|
Coalition
|
April 1865
|
Jan 1870
|
Charles Fox Bennett
|
Anti-Confederate Party
|
Jan 1870
|
Jan 31, 1874
|
Sir Frederick Carter
|
Conservative Party
|
Jan 31, 1874
|
April 1878
|
Sir William Whiteway
|
Conservative Party
|
April 1878
|
1885
|
Sir Robert Thorburn
|
Reform Party
|
1885
|
1889
|
Sir William Whiteway
|
Liberal Party (new, pro-rail party)
|
1889
|
April 11, 1894
|
Augustus F. Goodridge
|
Tory Party
|
April 11, 1894
|
Dec 13, 1894
|
Daniel J. Greene
|
Liberal Party
|
Dec 13, 1894
|
Feb 8, 1895
|
Sir William Whiteway
|
Liberal Party
|
Feb 8, 1895
|
Oct 1897
|
Sir James Spearman Winter
|
Tory Party
|
Oct 1897
|
March 6, 1900
|
Sir Robert Bond
|
Liberal Party
|
March 6, 1900
|
March 2, 1909
|
Dominion status granted in 1907.
Prime Minister |
Party |
From |
To |
Sir Edward Patrick Morris
|
Newfoundland People's Party/National Government*
|
March 2, 1909
|
Dec 31, 1917
|
Sir William F. Lloyd
|
Liberal Party/National Government
|
Jan 5, 1918
|
May 22, 1919
|
Sir Michael Patrick Cashin
|
Newfoundland People's Party
|
May 22, 1919
|
Nov 17, 1919
|
Sir Richard Squires
|
Liberal Reform Party
|
Nov 17, 1919
|
July 24, 1923
|
William Warren
|
Liberal Reform Party
|
July 24, 1923
|
May 10, 1924
|
Albert Hickman
|
caretaker |
May 10, 1924
|
June 9, 1924
|
Walter Stanley Monroe
|
Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party
|
June 9, 1924
|
August 1928
|
Frederick C. Alderdice
|
Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party
|
August 1928
|
Nov 17, 1928
|
Sir Richard Squires
|
Liberal Party
|
Nov 17, 1928
|
June 1932
|
Frederick C. Alderdice
|
United Newfoundland Party
|
June 1932
|
Jan 30, 1934
|
(*) A National Government was formed in 1917 due to a wartime crisis over conscription.
From 1934 to 1949, Newfoundland was ruled by Commission of Government. A six member Commission appointed by Britain, with three British and three Newfoundland appointees. This was done after the Dominion government voted itself out of existence in 1933 due to financial bankruptcy.
Premiers of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland joins Canadian confederation in 1949.
Premier |
Party |
From |
To |
Joseph R. Smallwood
|
Liberal
|
April 1,1949
|
January 18,1972
|
Frank D. Moores
|
Progressive Conservative
|
January 18,1972
|
March 26,1979
|
Brian Peckford
|
Progressive Conservative
|
March 26,1979
|
March 22,1989
|
Thomas Rideout
|
Progressive Conservative
|
March 22,1989
|
May 5,1989
|
Clyde Wells
|
Liberal
|
May 5,1989
|
January 26,1996
|
Brian Tobin
|
Liberal
|
January 26,1996
|
October 16,2000
|
Beaton Tulk
|
Liberal
|
October 16,2000
|
February 13,2001
|
Roger Grimes
|
Liberal
|
February 13,2001
|
November 6,2003
|
Danny Williams
|
Progressive Conservative
|
November 6,2003
|
in office |
For more lists of this type, see Lists of incumbents.
Last updated: 08-02-2005 05:22:31