History

 

The foundation of the modern Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador was laid in the formation in 1948 of the Newfoundland Confederate Association. The Confederate president was F. Gordon Bradley, but the general secretary, campaign organizer and all around sparkplug was Joseph R. Smallwood. Their purpose: to carry on the campaign for union with Canada, which bore many of the hallmarks of political electioneering. More than 100 Newfoundlanders from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador were invited by Smallwood to become vice-presidents; Gregory J. Power was named assistant campaign manager and Charles F. Garland financial secretary treasurer and chairman of a war veterans’ advisory committee. Two other advisory committee chairs were appointed – Fred Kirby for teachers and Harold Horwood for labour.

The association was formed at a meeting March 26, 1948, in the ballroom of the Newfoundland Hotel in St. John’s. A few weeks later, on April 6, it began publication of its newspaper “The Confederate” to promote the cause. The Confederate side would go on to win the referendum and Newfoundland became Canada’s tenth province. On January 5, 1949, the association held a celebration dinner at the Newfoundland Hotel when Bradley and Smallwood were presented with engraved silver cups to commemorate the referendum victory.

The referendum won, the Terms of Union negotiated, and the provincial government appointed, a revived Liberal Party held a founding convention April 28-30, 1949, to prepare for the provincial election of May 27. In the first election in the new province the Liberals won 22 seats, the Progressive Conservatives, formed from the ashes of the Responsible Government League, took 5 seats, and Independent 1 seat. The Liberal Party would remain in power in Newfoundland until the early 1970s. In the Liberal’s 22 years of government, Newfoundland experienced some of the greatest social changes in it’s entire history emerging as an educated modern province with a growing economy.

In 1989, the Liberal Party regained power and prepared for the 1990s, a decade that would be a Liberal decade. With a new decade came new problems and challenges. In 1992, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador would face the greatest economic disaster since confederation when the northern cod fishery was closed due to stock depletion. Designed to last two years in order to allow stocks to rejuvenate, the fishery, which is the lifeblood of the province, has never recovered to its former glory. The consequences of the fishery collapse were more than simple economics. The provinces cultural and social existence was at stake.

Despite the disaster of the fishery, the province did see a strong economic surge in the 1990s that is still occurring. Under the leadership of Clyde Wells and later Brian Tobin, major developments have been signed that see oil being drilled of our shores. The education system was restructured and the tourism industry flourished under successful “Celebrations” banners such as the 500th anniversary celebration of John Cabot’s voyage to Newfoundland in 1497.

Liberal Premier Roger Grimes continued the trend of strong leadership and made his mark as one of this province’s best leaders.  Voisey’s Bay was completed with great success and  advocates were put in place to protect our youth, as well as all of our citizens. Labour negotiations  reached a new level of success with contracts signed representing thousands of public workers.

Current interim Leader of the Official Opposition, Yvonne Jones, has been a credible and effective voice (November 2007-Present) for the people of the province who feel their needs and issues have not been addressed by the present administration.  Ms. Jones, together with the opposition caucus of Kelvin Parsons and Roland Butler, have played a very important role in the democratic process of the province, holding government accountable and articulating alternative policies and programs.

The Liberal Party in Newfoundland and Labrador has been the dominant political party since confederation in 1949 and is responsible for many of the major social transformations that has occurred in this province in the last half century. Those developments, which include Memorial University, countless new schools across the province and a greatly improved standard of living, have made the Liberal Party the voice of social development in Newfoundland and Labrador. With leadership as its trademark and placing people first, the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to shape and influence this province through the strong morals and principles of Liberalism.