Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador

{{Short description|Provincial political party in Canada}} {{Use Canadian English|date=December 2023}} {{About|the modern Liberal Party|Liberal parties before 1949|Liberal parties in pre-confederation Newfoundland}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox political party | name = Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador | native_name = | _subheader = | logo = File:Liberal Party Newfoundland and Labrador logo.svg | leader = John Hogan | president = John Whelan | chairman = | chairperson = | spokesperson = | leader1_title = | leader1_name = | foundation = {{date and age|1948}} | dissolution = | merger = | split = | predecessor = Confederate Association | merged = | successor = | headquarters = Suite 205, Beothuk Building 20 Crosbie Place St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | ideology = Liberalism (Canadian) '''Factions:''' Blue Grits

| position = Centre | national = Liberal Party of Canada (informal) | international = | student_wing = | youth_wing = | membership = 13,844<ref>{{cite web |title=Just under 14K N.L. Liberals eligible to vote in Abbott-Hogan leadership contest |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/liberal-vote-leadership-1.7515231 |website=CBC News |access-date=6 May 2025 |date=22 April 2025}}</ref> | membership_year = 2025 | colours = Red | colors = | logo_size = 200 | colorcode = {{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}} | seats1_title = House of Assembly | seats1 = {{Composition bar|15|40|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | website = {{official website|http://www.nlliberals.ca/}} | country = Canada | state = Newfoundland and Labrador | parties_dab1 = List of political parties in Newfoundland and Labrador | elections_dab1 = List of Newfoundland and Labrador general elections | footnotes = }}

The '''Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador''' is a political party in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It is one of the three parties currently represented in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly, and one of two that had continual representation since Newfoundland became a province of Canada. It has formed the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for over 60% of time period since Newfoundland joined the Canadian Confederation as its tenth provinces in 1949 and produced eight of the province's fifteen premiers.

==History== ===Origins=== The party originated in 1948 as the Newfoundland Confederate Association. At this time, Newfoundland was being governed by a Commission of Government appointed by the Government of the United Kingdom. The NCA was an organization campaigning for Newfoundland to join Canadian Confederation. Joey Smallwood was the NCA's chief organizer and spokesman; Smallwood also led the winning side of the 1948 Newfoundland referendum on Confederation.<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=History|url=http://nlliberals.ca/about/history/|publisher=The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador|access-date=December 1, 2012|archive-date=October 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027035501/http://nlliberals.ca/about/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===The Joey Smallwood era (1949–1972)=== [[File:Joseph Smallwood signing Newfoundland into Confederation.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Joseph Smallwood signs the document bringing Newfoundland into Confederation]] Following the referendum victory, the NCA reorganized itself as the new province's Liberal Party under Smallwood's leadership. It won the province's first post-Confederation election for the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly held on May 27, 1949.<ref name="history"/>

The Liberals under Smallwood promoted the diversification of the province's economy through various megaprojects. The provincial government invested in the construction of factories, the pulp and paper industry, the oil industry, hydro-electricity projects, the construction of highways and schools, the relocation of rural villages into larger centres, and other projects. These projects were often very expensive, and yielded few results.

Smallwood led the province virtually unchallenged for two decades, during which he never faced more than eight opposition MHAs. However, by the late 1960s, disaffection with Smallwood and his government mounted within the province. He had always had a somewhat autocratic bent, a tendency that increased during the 1960s. He tended to treat his ministers as extensions of his authority rather than colleagues.

In hopes of stemming the tide, Smallwood brought several younger Liberals into government during this time; however, this did little to rebuild his popularity. He announced his retirement in 1969, only to run in the ensuing leadership contest. Smallwood defeated John Crosbie, one of the younger ministers, for the leadership. Crosbie along with many young Liberals defected to the opposition Progressive Conservatives. The Progressive Conservatives had previously found support largely in the business community, and in and around St. John's.

The Liberals narrowly lost the 1971 election, but Smallwood refused to resign as Premier until January 1972 as the support of the Labrador Party's lone MHA resulted in a 21–21 tie in the House of Assembly for Smallwood's government. Frank Moores' Conservatives attempted to form government but its shaky hold on power resulted in the 1972 general election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Former Newfoundland premier Frank Moores dies|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/former-newfoundland-premier-frank-moores-dies-1.552590|access-date=December 1, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=July 11, 2005}}</ref> This time, Smallwood's Liberals were conclusively defeated, falling to only nine seats.

Smallwood was forced out of the party, and formed his own Newfoundland Reform Liberal Party, which ran in the 1975 general election against the Liberals and the Tories. Due in part to massive vote-splitting, the Tories won 30 seats against 20 for the two Liberal factions combined (14 for the Liberals and 6 for the Reform Liberals). The Liberals were badly split and demoralized, and remained on the opposition benches until 1989.

===The party under Clyde Wells (1987–1996)=== In the 1989 provincial election, the Liberals returned to power under Clyde Wells, winning 31 of the 52 seats in the House of Assembly. Despite their majority win the Progressive Conservatives narrowly won the popular vote, winning 47.6% of the vote compared to 47.2 for the Liberals.<ref>{{cite news|title=Liberals pull upset in Newfoundland|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zGVQAAAAIBAJ&pg=6959,2172602&dq=clyde+wells+lynn+verge&hl=en|access-date=December 1, 2012|newspaper=Toledo Blade|date=April 21, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Peter|title=Rideout's career a real rollercoaster ride|url=http://www.thetelegram.com/Columns/2008-05-25/article-1458491/Rideouts-career-a-real-rollercoaster-ride/1|access-date=December 1, 2012|newspaper=The Telegram|date=May 25, 2008}}</ref>

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. Wells rose to national prominence in early 1990 for his opposition to the Meech Lake constitutional Accord. 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. When Wells retired in 1996, he was replaced by former federal Liberal cabinet minister Brian Tobin.

===Tobin government (1996–2000)=== In 1996, Tobin resigned from federal politics to succeed Clyde Wells as leader of the governing Liberal Party of Newfoundland and premier. The Liberal Party won a large majority government later that year. During his time as premier Tobin pursued tough negotiations with out-of-province companies seeking to export resources for refining and smelting elsewhere. He insisted that the resources will never be mined unless Newfoundlanders received secondary manufacturing and tertiary service spin-offs. A similar tough stance was taken in seeking to develop the Lower Churchill River, keeping in mind the contract his predecessor Joey Smallwood had negotiated. His Liberals won re-election in 1999.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/player/Digital+Archives/Politics/Provincial+and+Territorial+Politics/Newfoundland+and+Labrador+Elections/ID/1822259854/ Brian Tobin's Liberals win re-election]</ref>

It was also during this time in the lead-up to the millennium that Newfoundland undertook an aggressive tourism marketing campaign which focused on important anniversaries such as the 500th year since John Cabot's voyage of discovery (1997), as well as the 1000th year since Vikings, such as Leif Ericson, made landfall on the province's shores (2000).

Tobin returned to federal politics in 2000, after only four years as Premier.

====2001 leadership convention==== Less than two years into his second mandate, Tobin announced his resignation as premier on October 16, 2000, to return to federal politics. Tobin's Deputy Premier Beaton Tulk was sworn in as his successor the same day and served as premier till a leadership convention could be held the new year.<ref>{{cite web|title=The following statement was issued by Premier Brian Tobin|url=http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2000/exec/1016n04.htm|publisher=Government of Newfoundland and Labrador|access-date=December 1, 2012|date=October 16, 2000}}</ref> Minister of Health Roger Grimes, Fisheries Minister John Efford and Mines and Energy Minister Paul Dicks all announced their intentions to contest the February 2001 leadership race.<ref>{{cite news|title=Efford eyes the premier's job.|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/efford-eyes-the-premier-s-job-1.217559|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115070630/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/11/01/nf_efford001101.html|url-status=live|archive-date=January 15, 2013|access-date=December 1, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=November 1, 2000}}</ref>

Grimes and Efford were the perceived frontrunners in the leadership race and were considered to be very different candidates with different strengths. Grimes was considered to be the candidate of the party establishment, he had a low-profile with a proven track record in several difficult portfolios. Efford on the other hand was a charismatic, populist politician whose outspokenness has caused some controversy. Efford's outspokenness alienated members of the establishment but won him the support of the party's grassroots.<ref name="Grimes">{{cite web|title=The Grimes Government, 2001–2003|url=http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/grimes_gov.html|publisher=Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador|access-date=December 1, 2012}}</ref>

After the first ballot at the convention no candidate won the 50 per cent required to be elected leader. Dicks was thus eliminated after finishing third and immediately threw his support behind Efford, hoping to defeat Grimes who had finished first on the ballot. Dicks' support was not enough and on the second ballot Grimes was elected leader; defeating Efford by 14 votes. The three-month race had included nasty and personal attacks between the candidates, and when Grimes was announced as the leader he received boos from Efford's supporters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Grimes becomes premier of Newfoundland|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/grimes-becomes-premier-of-newfoundland-1.256745|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=February 3, 2001}}</ref> Grimes was sworn in as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on February 13, 2001. While Efford had called for the party to unite behind Grimes at the leadership convention, Dicks left politics immediately while Efford turned down a cabinet post and resigned in May of that year to enter federal politics.<ref name="Grimes"/>

===The party under Roger Grimes (2001–2005)=== [[Image:Roger Grimes cropped.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Roger Grimes, Premier from 2001 until 2003, leader until 2005]]

Grimes served as the province's eighth premier, from February 13, 2001 until November 6, 2003.<ref name="Nfld.'s Grimes resigns">{{cite news|title=Nfld.'s Grimes resigns|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nfld-s-grimes-resigns-1.530248|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=May 30, 2005}}</ref> The Liberals had been in power for 12 years when Grimes won the leadership; he attempted to reinvigorate the party by distancing himself from Tobin. A major priority for Grimes as premier was to re-open talks with the mining company Inco Ltd., who had proposed to build a nickel mine in northern Labrador. Talks had stalled under Tobin, who insisted the nickel from Labrador must be processed in the province. On June 11, 2002, Grimes' government reached a deal with Inco, six years after negotiations first began. Inco agreed to build a processing facility on Newfoundland, but the deal allowed for them to ship nickel to other facilities for processing before that facility was built.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Grimes Government, 2001–2003|url=http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/grimes_gov.html|publisher=Heritage Newfoundland and Labrador|access-date=April 14, 2013}}</ref>

In 2003, the federal government declared a moratorium on the last remaining cod fishery in Atlantic Canada in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. While Newfoundland and Labrador was again the most directly affected province by this decision, communities on Quebec's North Shore and in other parts of Atlantic Canada also faced difficulties.

Grimes called for a review of the Act of Union by which the province had become a part of Canada and on July 2, 2003, the findings of the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada (which Grimes had created in 2002) were released. Critics called this inquiry the "Blame Canada Commission".

Grimes often clashed with the federal Liberal government of Jean Chrétien and became increasingly critical of his predecessor, Tobin. When Grimes accused the federal government of bias in the Gulf of St. Lawrence cod moratorium, many even in Newfoundland and Labrador saw him as stirring up unnecessary trouble for political gain. After the Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening Our Place in Canada, Grimes' popularity began to decline as his increasingly confrontational approach made it more difficult to win concessions from the federal government.

====2003 general election==== By 2003, the Liberals had spent fourteen years in power under four different leaders. Public disaffection had mounted resulting in their electoral defeat by Danny Williams and the Tories.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tories win majority in Newfoundland election|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20031022/nfld_election_031021?hub=EdmontonHome|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918232903/https://www.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20031022/nfld_election_031021?hub=EdmontonHome|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2021|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=CTV News|date=October 22, 2003}} </ref> Grimes stayed on as Liberal leader until his retirement on May 30, 2005, when he was replaced, initially on an interim basis, by Gerry Reid.<ref name="Nfld.'s Grimes resigns"/>

Lawyer Jim Bennett was acclaimed party leader on February 6, 2006, after no other candidate came forward for the post.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bennett acclaimed as Liberal leader|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bennett-acclaimed-as-liberal-leader-1.620834|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=February 6, 2006}}</ref> Bennett's leadership started causing rifts within the Liberal caucus after controversial policies statements and his reported abrasive leadership style.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tories make cracks at Bennett's expense|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/tories-make-cracks-at-bennett-s-expense-1.601039|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=May 2, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bennett plans comeback in Liberal ranks|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bennett-plans-comeback-in-liberal-ranks-1.659202|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=February 16, 2007}}</ref> In April of that year Bennett was criticized by Reid, who was still serving as Opposition Leader, over his proposal to create a two-tier minimum wage based on age.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wage issue exposes rift in Liberal ranks|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/wage-issue-exposes-rift-in-liberal-ranks-1.617188|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=April 27, 2006}}</ref> On May 8, 2006, Bennett resigned as Liberal leader, just three months after being acclaimed to the position.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bennett steps down as Liberal leader|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bennett-steps-down-as-liberal-leader-1.621760|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=May 6, 2006}}</ref> Reid then resumed the leadership, now on a permanent basis, and lead the party into the next election.

===In opposition (2005–2015)=== ====2007 general election==== In the October 2007 provincial election, the Liberal Party's support fell to its lowest level since Confederation. The party won just three of the 48 seats in the House of Assembly. Reid resigned as leader after losing his seat, and Yvonne Jones was named interim leader.<ref name="interim">{{cite news|title=Jones takes on interim Liberal leadership|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/jones-takes-on-interim-liberal-leadership-1.635573|access-date=April 23, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=November 15, 2007}}</ref>

====Liberals under Yvonne Jones (2007–2011)==== 150px|thumb|Yvonne Jones in 2011 With only three members re-elected following the 2007 general election, the party decided that Jones would stand as the party's leader on an interim basis, and therefore as the Official Opposition Leader in the House of Assembly. Jones became the first woman to serve as the leader of the Liberals and only the second woman to serve as Official Opposition Leader.<ref name="interim"/>

Seven by-elections have been held since Jones took over the leadership of the Liberal Party, each one to replace a Tory MHA. Six of the by-elections were won by a Progressive Conservative candidate and the Liberals won one. The by-election they won was held on October 27, 2009 in the district of The Straits - White Bay North. The by-election was held to replace Minister of Transportation and Works, Trevor Taylor, who resigned on October 2, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegram.com/Politics/2009-09-25/article-1455604/Taylor-calls-it-a-day/1|title=Taylor calls it a day - Regional - The Telegram|work=thetelegram.com|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> Liberal candidate Marshall Dean squeaked out a win taking 1,975 votes compared to 1,799 for PC candidate Rick Pelley. The by-election was mostly focused on Premier Williams' plan to make cuts to rural health care in this area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbncompass.ca/Special-section/2009-10-20/article-1501476/Health-care-cuts-worry-residents/1|title=Health care cuts worry residents - Obituaries - The Compass|work=cbncompass.ca|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> He announced days before the by-election he would not make cuts to the district's rural health care after protests from residents.<ref name=cbcnews>[http://www.northernpen.ca/index.cfm?sid=298172&sc=361 Liberals take Straits and White Bay North]. Retrieved September 2009.</ref>

=====May 2011 leadership election===== {{See also|May 2011 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election}}

A leadership convention was scheduled for the spring of 2008, but due to lack of interest in the leadership the convention was delayed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/liberals-put-off-leadership-vote-to-2010-1.751381 |work=CBC News |title=Liberals put off leadership vote to 2010 |date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215211453/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/02/11/liberals-convention.html |archive-date=February 15, 2008 }}</ref> The convention was rescheduled for November 2010 with nominations closing on July 30, 2010. On July 9, 2010, Yvonne Jones officially submitted nomination papers, and with the close of nominations at the end of the month she was the only candidate to file nomination papers and was acclaimed leader.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/jones-formally-enters-liberal-race-1.954457 Jones formally enters Liberal race]</ref> Jones announced weeks later she had breast cancer and the leadership election was postponed till May 2011. On May 25, 2011, she was sworn in as the permanent leader of the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2010-07-30/article-1638415/-Jones-acclaimed-Liberal-Leader/1|title=Jones acclaimed Liberal Leader - Local - The Telegram|work=thetelegram.com|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jones acclaimed N.L. Liberal leader|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/jones-acclaimed-n-l-liberal-leader-1.909387|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=July 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Jones illness postpones Grit convention|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/jones-illness-postpones-grit-convention-1.942281|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=September 11, 2010}}</ref>

====Liberals under Aylward (2011–2012)==== {{See also|August 2011 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election}} On August 9, 2011, Jones resigned as leader due to her health.<ref name="resign">{{cite news|title=N.L. Liberal leader resigns over health|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/n-l-liberal-leader-resigns-over-health-1.977686|access-date=April 17, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=August 9, 2011}}</ref> That night the executive of the party decided the process of choosing the next leader, nominations for the leadership opened on August 10, 2011, and Kevin Aylward was chosen by the executive on August 14, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aylward sets sights on October surprise|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/aylward-sets-sights-on-october-surprise-1.1011702|access-date=April 17, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=August 15, 2011}}</ref> Aylward led the party during the October 11, 2011, election. The campaigned on a platform that advocated for the creation of a legacy fund for offshore oil revenues, a new deal to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric development, annual increase to retired public service pensions, improve high-speed internet and cellphone service in rural areas, merge the Department of Business with the Department of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development, establish a fisheries investment and diversification fund, creation of a fisheries loan board, initiate a judicial inquiry dealing with management of the fishery and operating a marine rescue subcentre in the province.<ref>{{cite web|title=People's Platform – Liberal Party Platform |url=http://nlliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/peoples_platform_download.pdf |publisher=Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labraddor |access-date=April 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330082030/http://nlliberals.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/peoples_platform_download.pdf |archive-date=March 30, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Liberals pitch legacy account for oil money|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/liberals-pitch-legacy-account-for-oil-money-1.1013362|access-date=April 17, 2012|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=September 23, 2011}}</ref>

The party was unable to gain momentum under Aylward's leadership, after tying the NDP in opinion polls in May 2011, the Liberals fell to third place in polling during the election campaign.<ref>{{cite news|title=Support For NL Progressive Conservatives Decreases|url=http://cra.ca/support-for-nl-progressive-conservatives-decreases/|access-date=April 17, 2012|newspaper=Corporate Research Associates|date=June 10, 2011|archive-date=April 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424092840/http://cra.ca/support-for-nl-progressive-conservatives-decreases/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On election night the Progressive Conservatives won their third straight majority government. The Liberals placed third in the popular vote on election night, winning just 19.1 per cent of the vote. However, they managed to increase their number of seats to six and remain the Official Opposition.<ref name="majority">{{cite news|title=Dunderdale leads N.L. Tories to majority|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dunderdale-leads-n-l-tories-to-majority-1.1079789|access-date=October 12, 2011|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=October 12, 2011}}</ref> On October 26, 2011, Aylward announced his resignation as leader after failing to win the district of St. George's-Stephenville East in the election.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kevin Aylward resigning as Liberal leader |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/kevin-aylward-resigning-as-liberal-leader-1.988995|access-date=November 12, 2011|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=October 26, 2011}}</ref>

===Liberals under Dwight Ball (2012–2020)=== [[Image:DwightBall (brightened, cropped).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Dwight Ball, Premier from 2015 until 2020, leader 2013-2020]]

{{See also|2013 Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election}} In December 2011, the party announced that Humber Valley MHA Dwight Ball would assume the role as Leader of the Official Opposition and interim leader of the Liberal Party on January 3, 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dwight Ball named Liberal Party leader|url=http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2011-12-14/article-2834993/Dwight-Ball-named-Liberal-Party-leader/1|access-date=December 15, 2011|newspaper=The Telegram|date=December 14, 2011|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912090332/http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2011-12-14/article-2834993/Dwight-Ball-named-Liberal-Party-leader/1|archive-date=September 12, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dwight-ball-wants-to-lead-liberals-into-2015-vote-1.981807 "Ball new interim N.L. Liberal leader"]. CBC News, December 15, 2011.</ref> The Party announced in May 2012, that their next leadership election will occur between November 15 and 17, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Liberal Party Announces Date of Leadership Convention|url=http://nlliberals.ca/news/liberal-party-announces-date-of-leadership-convention/|publisher=Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador|access-date=May 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711200333/http://nlliberals.ca/news/liberal-party-announces-date-of-leadership-convention/|archive-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> On July 18, 2013 Bay of Islands MHA Eddie Joyce was named Leader of the Opposition replacing Dwight Ball who resigned to run for the leadership permanently in the 2013 convention.<ref>{{cite news|title=Long-serving MHA Eddie Joyce named Opposition leader|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/long-serving-mha-eddie-joyce-named-opposition-leader-1.1362061|access-date=July 19, 2013|newspaper=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=July 19, 2013}}</ref>

In the 2015 general election, the Tories lost their majority to the Liberals making their government the shortest in the province's history since joining Canada (it lasted from 2003 to 2015, 12 years). The party won every by-election in the years between the 2011 general election and the election in 2015 and some Tory MHAs crossed the floor to the Liberal Party including former cabinet minister Tom Osborne.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/tom-osborne-joins-liberals-1.1354801|title=Tom Osborne joins Liberals|work=cbc.ca|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> In the months ahead of the election in 2015 the Liberals lead in the polls, often with support from the majority of respondents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abacusdata.ca/nl-election-kick-off-liberals-storm-to-a-47-point-lead-it-isnt-about-the-economy/|title=NL Election Kick-Off: Liberals storm to a 47-point lead. It Isn't About the Economy.|date=November 6, 2015|work=abacusdata.ca|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> The party won 31 of 40 seats in the election.

Since the election support for the Liberal Party has dropped significantly. This started in April 2016 when Finance Minister Cathy Bennett unveiled the government's budget. Due to the ongoing fall in oil prices and high public debt due to overspending by the Tories under Williams and Dunderdale, the province faced a massive deficit and thus, the Liberal government planned tax increases and cuts to government services including the closure of libraries and courthouses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/a-budget-to-drive-newfoundlanders-away/|title=A budget to drive Newfoundlanders away - Macleans.ca|date=April 14, 2016|work=macleans.ca|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref> Combined with the mismanagement of the Lower Churchill Project and Nalcor Energy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/ed-martin-severance-scandal-premier-incompetent-1.3614040|title='He didn't do his job': PCs hammer premier on 'incompetence' during Ed Martin scandal|work=cbc.ca|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vocm.com/news/blame-the-pcs-government-reacts-to-dire-muskrat-falls-report/|title=VOCM - "Blame the PCs": Government Reacts to Dire Muskrat Falls Report|work=vocm.com|access-date=October 18, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625134519/http://vocm.com/news/blame-the-pcs-government-reacts-to-dire-muskrat-falls-report/|url-status=dead}}</ref> this led to Ball being one of Canada's least popular heads of government only seven months after being elected with a majority of votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://angusreid.org/premier-approval-may2016/|title=Premiers' Performance: Ball drops, Wall bounces post-election - Angus Reid Institute|date=May 24, 2016|work=angusreid.org|access-date=October 18, 2016}}</ref>

On June 16, 2018 delegates at the Liberal Party Annual General Meeting vote to endorse the leadership of Dwight Ball with 79% voting against the party holding a leadership convention.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-liberal-agm-day-2-1.4709529| title = Ball guarantees 2019 victory, maintains support at Liberal AGM}} </ref>

In the 2019 provincial election, despite consistent Progressive Conservative leads in polling through the debate, including a 9 point lead in the final poll, released a day before the election,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/grenier-nl-election-results-1.5140825|title=What didn't happen in the N.L. election — and why that matters|last=Grenier|first=Éric|date=May 18, 2019|work=The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=May 18, 2019}}</ref> the Liberal Party led by Ball won re-election, but nonetheless fell one seat short of retaining their majority after an unexpected loss to the New Democrats in Labrador West by 5 votes (later lowered to 2 votes).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-votes-2019-election-winner-1.5138888|title=Liberals to hold minority government in N.L., PCs not conceding defeat|last=Cooke|first=Ryan|date=May 16, 2019|work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref> The Liberals won 20 out of 40 seats in the legislature.

=== Furey government (2020–2025)=== thumb|upright|The logo of the Liberal Party during Furey's premiership. Andrew Furey was elected leader on August 3, 2020. He was appointed as Premier on August 19, 2020, following Ball's resignation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKenzie-Sutter |first1=Holly |title=Nearly all of Dwight Ball's cabinet backs Andrew Furey as he enters N.L. Liberal leadership race |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-nearly-all-of-dwight-balls-cabinet-backs-andrew-furey-as-he-enters-n/ |access-date=3 August 2020 |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=5 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Maher|first=David|date=August 3, 2020|title=Andrew Furey becomes premier-designate, will become 14th premier of Newfoundland and Labrador|url=https://www.saltwire.com/news/local/andrew-furey-becomes-premier-designate-will-become-14th-premier-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-480902/|access-date=2020-08-04|website=Saltwire Network}}</ref> On August 19, 2020, Furey was formally sworn in as Premier, along with his provincial cabinet.<ref>{{cite news |title=Andrew Furey takes office as 14th premier of N.L., names cabinet |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-furey-premier-1.5691667 |access-date=19 August 2020 |publisher=CBC News |date=19 August 2020}}</ref> On October 6, 2020, Furey won a by-election in Humber-Gros Morne; this gained him a seat in the legislature.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ball resigns as MHA, Furey will run in his place |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dwight-ball-resigns-furey-running-deer-lake-1.5714946 |access-date=7 September 2020 |publisher=CBC News |date=7 September 2020}}</ref>

On January 15, 2021, Furey asked for consent from Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote to dissolve the House of Assembly to call for an election in order to obtain a stronger mandate in the form of a majority government. The election was originally scheduled for February 15, 2021 but a COVID-19 outbreak in St. John's forced Elections NL to switch to a mail-in election, cancelling in-person voting for all districts. The deadline was set on March 25, 2021 and the results were announced on March 27, 2021 with the Furey government winning a majority government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mullin |first1=Malone |title=Liberals claim slim majority in Newfoundland and Labrador, as voters tap Furey to lead |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-election-results-2021-1.5966912 |access-date = 27 March 2021 |agency=CBC News |date=27 March 2021}}</ref>

On September 12, 2022, Premier Furey announced that Independent MHA Perry Trimper would be rejoining the Liberal caucus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Independent MHA Perry Trimper rejoins Liberal caucus |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/perry-trimper-liberal-party-1.6580018}}</ref>

Beginning in December 2023, ahead of a by-election for Conception Bay East–Bell Island expected in early 2024, campaign signs identified the party primarily using a "Furey" logotype, with a reference to "Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals" in smaller print. Political analysts suggested the change was made due to Furey's personal popularity combined with dropping poll numbers for the federal Liberals under Justin Trudeau. Furey himself indicated that there was no plan to further separate the parties, which he said already operate as distinct entities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/furey-new-liberal-signs-1.7059915|title='Team Furey' ditches red backdrop and Liberal logo for byelection branding|first=Alex|last=Kennedy|work=CBCNews.ca|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=December 18, 2023}}</ref> On January 30, 2024, Liberal Fred Hutton won the by-election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2024 |title=Fred Hutton Elected MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island|url=https://vocm.com/2024/01/30/231498/|website=VOCM}}</ref> On April 15, 2024, the Fogo Island-Cape Freels by-election was held. Progressive Conservative candidate Jim McKenna was elected, gaining the seat from the Liberals. On May 27, 2024, Progressive Conservative candidate Lin Paddock was elected in the Baie Verte-Green Bay by-election, gaining the seat from the Liberals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Greg |title=Paddock, PCs Win Baie Verte – Green Bay By-Election |url=https://vocm.com/2024/05/27/paddock-pcs-win-baie-verte-green-bay-by-election/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=VOCM |language=en}}</ref> On August 22, 2024, the Waterford Valley by-election was held electing Liberal Jamie Korab.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2024 |title=Jamie Korab keeps Waterford Valley red for N.L. Liberals |url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6488805 |website=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Head |first1=Jenna |title=3 candidates ready to campaign in Waterford Valley byelection |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/waterford-valley-byelection-prep-1.7281526 |access-date=2 August 2024 |publisher=CBC News |date=1 August 2024}}</ref>

On February 25, 2025, Andrew Furey announced his pending resignation as premier and leader of the Liberal Party. He'll remain as premier and party leader, until his successor is chosen at a leadership election in May.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Andrew Furey steps down as premier of N.L. after 4-½ years in office {{!}} CBC News | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-furey-steps-down-as-premier-of-n-l-after-4-years-in-office-1.7467923 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225174646/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/andrew-furey-steps-down-as-premier-of-n-l-after-4-years-in-office-1.7467923 | access-date=2025-09-06 | archive-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

===Liberals under John Hogan (2025–present)===

John Hogan was elected leader on 3 May 2025. In the 2025 provincial election, the party was defeated by Tony Wakeham's PC's.<ref>{{cite news |title=John Hogan announced as N.L. Liberal leader and premier-designate |url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.6747378 |access-date=3 May 2025 |publisher=CBC News |date=3 May 2025}}</ref>

==Electoral performance== {| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;" |- ! Election ! Leader ! Votes ! % ! Seats ! +/– ! Position ! Status |- ! 1949 | rowspan=7 | Joey Smallwood | 109,802 | 65.5 | {{Composition bar|22|28|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 22 | {{increase}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1951 | 83,628 | 63.1 | {{Composition bar|24|28|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 2 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1956 | 75,883 | 65.7 | {{Composition bar|32|36|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 8 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1959 | 75,560 | 58.0 | {{Composition bar|31|36|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 1 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1962 | 72,319 | 58.7 | {{Composition bar|34|42|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 3 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1966 | 91,613 | 61.8 | {{Composition bar|39|42|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 5 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1971 | 102,775 | 44.4 | {{Composition bar|20|42|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 19 | {{decrease}} 2nd | {{yes2|Minority}} |- ! 1972 | rowspan=2 | Edward Roberts | 77,849 | 37.1 | {{Composition bar|9|42|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 11 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 1975 | 82,270 | 37.0 | {{Composition bar|16|51|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 7 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 1979 | Don Jamieson | 95,943 | 40.6 | {{Composition bar|19|52|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 3 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 1982 | Len Stirling | 87,228 | 34.9 | {{Composition bar|8|52|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 11 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 1985 | Leo Barry | 102,016 | 36.7 | {{Composition bar|15|52|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 7 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 1989 | rowspan=2 | Clyde Wells | 137,271 | 47.2 | {{Composition bar|31|52|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 16 | {{increase}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1993 | 148,274 | 49.1 | {{Composition bar|35|52|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 4 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1996 | rowspan=2 | Brian Tobin | 157,229 | 55.1 | {{Composition bar|37|48|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 2 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 1999 | 132,399 | 49.6 | {{Composition bar|32|48|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 5 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 2003 | Roger Grimes | 91,729 | 33.0 | {{Composition bar|12|48|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 20 | {{decrease}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2007 | Gerry Reid | 48,598 | 21.6 | {{Composition bar|3|48|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 9 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2011 | Kevin Aylward | 42,417 | 19.1 | {{Composition bar|6|48|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 3 | {{steady}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |- ! 2015 | rowspan=2 | Dwight Ball | 114,195 | 57.2 | {{Composition bar|31|40|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 25 | {{increase}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 2019 | 93,608 | 43.9 | {{Composition bar|20|40|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}}11 | {{steady}}1st | {{yes2|Minority}} |- ! 2021 | Andrew Furey | 86,090 | 48.2 | {{Composition bar|22|40|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{increase}} 3 | {{steady}} 1st | {{yes|Majority}} |- ! 2025 | John Hogan | 86,671 | 43.4 | {{Composition bar|15|40|hex={{Canadian party colour|NL|Liberal}}}} | {{decrease}} 7 | {{decrease}} 2nd | {{no2|Opposition}} |}

==History of leaders== *Joseph Roberts Smallwood (1949–1972) *Edward Roberts (1972–1977) *Bill Rowe (1977–1979) *Don Jamieson (1979–1980) *Len Stirling (1980–1982)<ref>Sterling lost his seat in the 1982 provincial election and Neary became interim opposition leader. Sterling resigned as leader several months after the election.</ref> *Steve Neary (1982–1984) ''interim'' *Leo Barry (1984–1987) *Clyde Wells (1987–1996) *Brian Tobin (1996–2000) *Beaton Tulk (2000–2001) ''interim'' *Roger Grimes (2001–2005) *Gerry Reid (2005–2006) ''interim'' *Jim Bennett (2006) *Gerry Reid (2006–2007) *Yvonne Jones (2007–2011) ''interim 2007–2011'' *Kevin Aylward (2011–2012) *Dwight Ball (2012–2013) ''interim'' *Eddie Joyce (2013) ''interim'' *Dwight Ball (2013–2020) *Andrew Furey (2020–2025) *John Hogan (2025–present)

==Notes== {{reflist|2}}

{{Newfoundland and Labrador politics}} {{Newfoundland and Labrador provincial political parties}} {{Major Canadian Liberal Parties}} {{Liberalism in Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liberal Party Of Newfoundland And Labrador}} Category:Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Provincial political parties in Newfoundland and Labrador Category:Liberal parties in Canada Category:1940s establishments in Newfoundland Category:1948 establishments in North America Category:1948 establishments in the British Empire Category:Centrist parties in Canada