Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador - 2001 Leadership Convention

2001 Leadership Convention

When Premier Tobin left the provincial Liberal Party to return to federal politics, it created an opening for the party to elect a new leader who would served as Premier. From 2000 to 2001, Beaton Tulk served as interim leader and Premier. In 2001 the party held a leadership convention to choose from three candidates:

  • Roger Grimes, MHA, Cabinet Minister for Premier Clyde Wells starting in 1991 as Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, followed by service as the Minister of Tourism, Minister of Education, Minister of Mines and Energy and lastly Minister of Health.
  • John Efford, MHA, later elected Member of Parliament, later served as federal Minister of Natural Resources.
  • Paul Dicks, MHA, provincial Minister of Justice and Attorney General from 1989 to 1991 and from 1998 to 1999, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board from 1995 to 2000, and Minister of Mines and Energy from 2000 to 2001.

Grimes won the leadership and became Liberal Party leader and Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, by defeating Efford by 14 votes in a fierce and divisive contest. Efford and contestant Dicks subsequently left provincial politics saying they could not work with Grimes.

Read more about this topic:  Liberal Party Of Newfoundland And Labrador

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