List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador

List of premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador

This is a list of the premiers and Prime Ministers of Newfoundland and Labrador, both as a colony, a dominion, and a province of Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador uses 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, sometimes called the prime minister, acts as Newfoundland and Labrador's head of government, while the Queen of Canada acts as 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 happen if the Governing party loses the confidence of the legislature, by the defeat of a supply bill or tabling of a confidence motion.

Before it joined Canadian confederation in 1949, Newfoundland and Labrador was a British crown colony until 1907, and a dominion from 1907 to 1949. It had had a system of responsible government beginning in 1855. Since 1949, Newfoundland and Labrador has been a part of the Canadian federation. It has kept its own legislature to deal with provincial matters.

From 1855 to 1908, the position of first minister was known as Prime Minister and later Premier. After the colony was granted dominion status in 1907, the position became known as Prime Minister (starting in 1908). 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.

In the table, dark blue denotes the various parties that led to the Progressive Conservative Party, red bordered images denote the Liberal Party, and orange denotes the Anti-Confederation Party.

*"See also Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador)"

Colonial Prime Ministers (Premiers)

The Colony of Newfoundland was granted responsible government in 1855.

Premiers of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland joined Canadian confederation in 1949.
The province was named Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.

For more lists of this type, see Lists of incumbents.


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