{{Short description|Canadian politician (1944–2019)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Beaton Tulk | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_size = 150px | caption = | birth_name = Reginald Beaton Tulk<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Cuff |first=Robert |date=1984 |title=Tulk, Reginald Beaton |url=https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/1151 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, volume 5 |location=St. John's |publisher=Harry Cuff Publications Ltd. |access-date=20 March 2025 |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320040917/https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/cns_enl/id/1151 |url-status=live }}</ref> | birth_date = May 22, 1944 | birth_place = Ladle Cove, Newfoundland | death_date = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|2019|05|23|1944|5|22}}}} | death_place = Musgravetown, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} | spouse = Dora Tulk {{small|(until his death)}} | office = 7th Premier of Newfoundland | monarch = Elizabeth II | lieutenant_governor = Arthur Maxwell House | term_start = October 16, 2000 | term_end = February 13, 2001 | predecessor = Brian Tobin | successor = Roger Grimes | office2 = Deputy Premier of Newfoundland | term_start2 = August 4, 2000 | term_end2 = October 16, 2000 | predecessor2 = Lynn Verge | successor2 = Tom Rideout | office3 = Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Fogo | term_start3 = June 18, 1979 | term_end3 = April 20, 1989 | predecessor3 = | successor3 = Sam Winsor | office4 = Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Fogo | term_start4 = May 3, 1993 | term_end4 = February 22, 1996 | predecessor4 = Sam Winsor | successor4 = riding dissolved | office5 = Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for Bonavista North | term_start5 = February 22, 1996 | term_end5 = April 2, 2002 | predecessor5 = Tom Lush | successor5 = Harry Harding | party = Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | other_party = Liberal Party of Canada | website = | alma_mater = | occupation = Teacher, politician | cabinet = Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (May 1997 – July 1997), Minister of Development and Rural Renewal (July 1997 – October 2000) }} '''Reginald Beaton Tulk''' (May 22, 1944 – May 23, 2019) was a Canadian educator, civil servant and politician. He served as the seventh premier of Newfoundland from 2000 to 2001 as a member of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, he is the last premier of the province to be born in the British dependent territory of Newfoundland, before its accession to Canada as a province.
==Early life== Born in Ladle Cove, Newfoundland, Tulk was the youngest son of Japhet Tulk and Sadie (née West).<ref name=memoir>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegram.com/living/joan-sullivan-anecdotes-from-beaton-tulk-a-lively-read-223864/|title=Joan Sullivan: Anecdotes from Beaton Tulk a lively read|publisher=The Telegram|access-date=May 23, 2019|date=July 7, 2018|archive-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603170016/https://www.thetelegram.com/living/joan-sullivan-anecdotes-from-beaton-tulk-a-lively-read-223864/|url-status=live}}</ref> He graduated from Memorial University with BA, B.Ed, and Master of Educational Administration degrees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://flankerpress.com/author/beaton-tulk|title=Beaton Tulk|access-date=May 23, 2019|publisher=Flanker Press|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523173202/https://flankerpress.com/author/beaton-tulk|url-status=live}}</ref> He also later obtained a Canadian Securities Investment Diploma.<ref name=nc/> An educator prior to politics, he was a supervising principal for the Carmanville school system from 1974 to 1979.<ref name=nc>{{cite web |url=http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1996/exec/0314n02.htm |title=New Cabinet Sworn In |website=releases.gov.nl.ca |publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Council |date=March 14, 1996 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |archive-date=December 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227073902/https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/1996/exec/0314n02.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=CBC/>
==Political career== Tulk was first elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in 1979 as the Liberal Party of Newfoundland (later Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador) member for Fogo, and was re-elected in 1982 and 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1982.pdf|title=Election Returns 1982|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=August 25, 1982|page=18|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207061652/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1982.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1985.pdf|title=Election Returns 1985|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=October 22, 1985|page=19|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515232334/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1985.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He was defeated in the 1989 election; in 1990, he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Children and Youth Services for the Newfoundland government.<ref name=nc/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1989.pdf|title=Election Statistics 1989|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|page=13|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201070654/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1989.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name= pr/> He was returned to the House of Assembly for Fogo in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1993.pdf|title=Report of the Chief Electoral Officer|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=1993|page=4|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201070642/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1993.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> He was then elected in the newly redistributed riding of Bonavista North in 1996, and re-elected in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1996.pdf|title=Report of the Chief Electoral Officer|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=October 28, 1996|page=3|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201070627/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1996.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1999.pdf|title=Report of the Chief Electoral Officer|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=November 9, 1999|page=3|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201070616/https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/genelections/GEreport1999.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
Tulk was appointed Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods in May 1997 and Minister of Development and Rural Renewal in July 1997.<ref name=memoir/><ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=https://vocm.com/news/former-premier-beaton-tulk-passes-away-at-75/|title=Former Premier Beaton Tulk Passes Away At 75|publisher=VOCM News|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=June 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626053126/http://vocm.com/news/former-premier-beaton-tulk-passes-away-at-75/|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 1998, he stepped down from cabinet when he was the subject of allegations of wrongdoing by the owner of a private college.<ref name=wrong/> He was cleared of any wrongdoing by the police and by a commissioner's report, and returned to the cabinet in April 1999.<ref name=wrong>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/beaton-tulk-cleared-of-wrongdoing-1.196500 |title=Beaton Tulk cleared of wrongdoing |publisher=CBC News |date=March 19, 1999 |access-date=May 26, 2018 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306204138/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/beaton-tulk-cleared-of-wrongdoing-1.196500 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/beaton-tulk-back-in-cabinet-1.179266 |title=Beaton Tulk back in cabinet |publisher=CBC News |access-date=May 26, 2018 |date=April 27, 1999 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307001716/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/beaton-tulk-back-in-cabinet-1.179266 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was appointed Deputy Premier in August 2000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2000/exec/0818n06.htm |title=Senior government appointments announced |website=releases.gov.nl.ca |publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Council |date=August 18, 2000 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928052815/http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2000/exec/0818n06.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and Premier of Newfoundland in October 2000 when his predecessor, Brian Tobin, returned to federal politics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2000/exec/1016n04.htm |title=Statement by Premier Tobin |website=releases.gov.nl.ca |publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Executive Council |date=October 16, 2000 |access-date=June 5, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227180652/http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2000/exec/1016n04.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He was not a candidate in the race to succeed Tobin as Liberal leader and returned to the position of Deputy Premier in February 2001 when Roger Grimes was elected Liberal leader and sworn in as Premier.<ref name=obit/>
In 2002, Tulk resigned his provincial seat to run unsuccessfully for the federal Liberals for the House of Commons of Canada seat of Gander—Grand Falls in a by-election after George Baker was appointed to the Senate, but was defeated by Rex Barnes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberals lose two 'safe' ridings in byelections |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/liberals-lose-two-safe-ridings-in-byelections-1.308076 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=November 27, 2020 |date=May 14, 2002 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164632/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/liberals-lose-two-safe-ridings-in-byelections-1.308076 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/liberals-reel-from-by-election-defeats/article4142038/|title=Liberals reel from by-election defeats|work=The Globe and Mail|date=May 14, 2002|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-date=January 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123003634/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/liberals-reel-from-by-election-defeats/article4142038/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tulk then tried to return to provincial politics, running in the provincial by-election resulting from his own resignation, but was defeated by Harry Harding.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.gov.nl.ca/elections/resources/pdf/electionreports/byelections/02.bonavista.north.july.24.pdf|title=Report of the Chief Electoral Officer on the Bonavista North By Election July 24, 2002|publisher=Elections Newfoundland and Labrador|date=2002|access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref>
On December 16, 2002, Tulk was appointed by the federal government of Jean Chrétien to the Canadian Transportation Agency.<ref name=pr>{{cite web|url=http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-nat-2002-02_h132e-1485.htm |title=Appointment to the Canadian Transportation Agency |publisher=Transport Canada |date=December 12, 2002|access-date=June 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607171901/http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/mediaroom/releases-nat-2002-02_h132e-1485.htm |archive-date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
==Later life== In 2018, Flanker Press released his autobiography, ''A Man of My Word'', co-written by Laurie Blackwood Pike.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flankerpress.com/product/a-man-of-my-word/|title=A Man of My Word|publisher=Flanker Press|language=en|access-date=May 9, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523172543/https://flankerpress.com/product/a-man-of-my-word|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/former-newfoundland-labrador-premier-beaton-tulk-new-memoir-1.4654809|title=Beaton Tulk talks cancer, Joey and how he never really wanted the top job|publisher=CBC News|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525144224/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/former-newfoundland-labrador-premier-beaton-tulk-new-memoir-1.4654809|url-status=live}}</ref> He lived in Musgravetown with his wife Dora during his final years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nfldherald.com/beaton-tulk-part-1-family-first/|title=Beaton Tulk Part 1: Family First|publisher=Newfoundland Herald|first=Pam|last=Pardy-Ghent|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523174518/https://nfldherald.com/beaton-tulk-part-1-family-first/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Tulk died from prostate cancer on May 23, 2019, one day after his 75th birthday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/news/local/former-newfoundland-and-labrador-premier-beaton-tulk-dead-at-75-314862/?location=newfoundland-labrador|title=Former Newfoundland and Labrador premier Beaton Tulk dead at 75|date=May 24, 2019|publisher= Saltwire Network|access-date=November 27, 2020 }}</ref> He was diagnosed with the illness 15 years prior to his death.<ref name=CBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/beaton-tulk-obituary-1.5093535|title=Beaton Tulk, former N.L. premier and longtime Liberal campaigner, dead at 75|publisher=CBC news|date=May 23, 2019|access-date=Nov 27, 2020|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232403/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/beaton-tulk-obituary-1.5093535|url-status=live}}</ref> Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Tulk's career of "putting people first", and cited his death as a "loss of a great Canadian and a great Liberal".<ref name=CBC/>
==References== {{reflist}} {{NLPremiers}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tulk, Beaton}} Category:1944 births Category:2019 deaths Category:Memorial University of Newfoundland alumni Category:Premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador MHAs Category:People from Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Deputy premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador Category:21st-century members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in Canada Category:Deaths from cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador Category:20th-century members of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly