The Party Under Clyde Wells (1987-1996)
In 1989, the party returned to power under the leadership of Clyde Wells.
Under Wells, the Liberal government eschewed the megaprojects and spending of the Smallwood, Moores and Peckford eras in favour of an economic development program laid out in the Strategic Economic Plan. During a severe economic recession, the Wells administration introduced spending controls and reduced the size of the public service while at the same time maintaining social program spending and working to diversify and develop the economy.
In September 1990, Wells signed a development agreement for the Hibernia project, thereby laying the foundation for the province's oil and gas industry and future economic prosperity.
Wells rose to national prominence in early 1990 for his opposition to the Meech Lake constitutional Accord.
When Wells retired in 1996, he was replaced by former federal Liberal cabinet minister Brian Tobin. Tobin returned to federal politics in 2000, after only four years as Premier.
Read more about this topic: Liberal Party Of Newfoundland And Labrador
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