History Politics of Newfoundland and Labrador

1 history

1.1 colonization
1.2 dominion status
1.3 commission of government

1.3.1 1948 referendums


1.4 post-confederation history

history
colonization

newfoundland , labrador first inhabited beothuk , mi kmaq. has first known european settlement in americas @ l anse aux meadows, built vikings circa 1000 a.d. island of newfoundland , coast of labrador has been colonized or settled number of european nations including england , france.

the emergence of common law system , political institutions slow. law , order responsibility of fishing captains , admirals , military governors in 17th , 18th centuries. permanent settlement however, system replaced civil officials , in 1832 representative government. meant colonial assembly share power appointed legislative council. in 1854, newfoundland granted responsible government, , attained dominion status in 1907.

dominion status

the dominion of newfoundland highly polarized society, marked distinct cleavages between roman catholics , protestants, liberals , conservatives, descendants of irish , west country english, rich merchants , poor fishermen , tradesmen, , rural newfoundland versus st. john s (or alternatively avalon peninsula against rest of dominion s districts). manifested in hotly contested , violent elections. various reforms in 1860s , 1870s (during newfoundland rejected confederation canada) quelled hostile nature of polarization.

with exceptions throughout dominion history, class, religion , political parties tended align such irish catholics tended support liberal party , english protestants tended support conservative party.

newfoundland , labrador s present-day boundaries finalized result of british privy council s decision in labrador boundary dispute of 1927, cede of inland labrador dominion of newfoundland rather canadian province of quebec.

commission of government

the riot @ colonial building in 1932

as result of great depression, newfoundland s economy deteriorated. resulted in famous episode in 1932 when large riot erupted @ colonial building , prime minister richard squires narrowly escaped. dominion assembly approved recommendations of amulree commission following year , voted out of existence in order replaced appointed commission of government. commission appointed council british governor , 6 commissioners both britain , newfoundland. commission oversaw slow growth during beginning of reign, newfoundland began thrive during world war ii.

the 1948 referendums


joey smallwood signs document bringing newfoundland confederation

it shortly after second world war newfoundland national convention created in order deliberate constitutional future of newfoundland. 2 referendums initiated in year 1948. in first, newfoundlanders asked vote on whether join canada province, return independent dominion responsible government, or continue appointed commission. in second referendum, newfoundlanders asked choose between responsible government , confederation canada. movement responsible government tended weaker, less organized in rural areas, , had divisions stemming many of members supporting special economic union united states. newfoundland s voters narrowly voted in favour of confederation , in 1949 newfoundland joined canada tenth province.

the second referendum divisive 1 , still day source of contention among newfoundlanders , labradorians. during referendum, joey smallwood campaigned confederate association , peter cashin campaigned responsible government league (rgl). confederate cause drew of support protestants, poor fishermen , rural newfoundlanders particularly outside avalon peninsula. likewise, rgl depended on support of catholics , voters avalon peninsula.

religion served important determinant in voter s decision. roman catholic establishment, centered in st. john s, feared loss of power , possible elimination of role in denominational education after confederation. confederation seen plot join loyalist, predominantly english canada (conversely rgl supporters feared joining french canada ).

this trend not universal since, example, catholics western newfoundland tended vote confederation rather against it. did bring crack in liberal/catholic , conservative/protestant alignment of newfoundland s voters. after confederation, rgl elected form progressive conservative party of newfoundland , labrador, while smallwood, newfoundland s first premier after confederation liberal.

finally economic issues quite salient in referendum on confederation. confederate cause received of support rural protestant communities, won on confederate side promises of child allowance ( baby bonus ), better health care, full employment, higher incomes , other social reforms. these measures newfoundland migrants canada , united states accustomed, not promised avalon peninsula-based, affluent leaders of rgl.

post-confederation history

after confederation, liberal premier joey smallwood in power on 23 years. reign characterized autocratic style of leadership , initiatives modernize economy. example, in 1950s smallwood government began controversial resettlement program relocate newfoundlanders , labradorians hundreds of small, rural settlements , communities larger urban areas. encouraged , subsidized foreign industrialists invest in newfoundland, little benefit. smallwood example credited bungling deal on churchill falls hydro-electric development in labrador , creating situation province of quebec reaps of benefits.

additionally, smallwood maintained firm control on dissent both within , outside party. accused local newspaper, telegram, of libel , threatened legal action. when john crosbie challenged him leadership of provincial liberal party in 1969 smallwood forced delegates sign affidavits opposing crosbie s leadership bid. famously told student union leader rex murphy not return newfoundland when murphy, in quebec @ time, called smallwood s announcement of free tuition policy sham . result of smallwood s tight control on party , government, younger generation of liberal party activists such john crosbie lost 1969 leadership bid defected progressive conservative party wrested control smallwood in 1972 under tutelage of frank moores.

the progressive conservative party of newfoundland remained in power 1972 1989, first under leadership of frank moores 1979 1989 under brian peckford. peckford s agenda characterized battles federal government under primer ministers pierre trudeau , brian mulroney. peckford government stated, in term, intention make fishery prime generator of wealth , stability in province s future. peckford s later career became mired in subsidized farming scandal, retired politics in 1989 , succeeded tom rideout.

a month after becoming premier rideout s progressive conservative party defeated in 1989 election liberal party under clyde wells, though tory s won higher percentage of votes liberals won majority of seats in house of assembly. wells administration oversaw tumultuous time in newfoundland s recent history. wells involved in confrontation federal government , other provinces on issue of meech lake accord provided distinct society status province of quebec. premier when federal government brought in moratorium on year round cod fishing, pivotal moment in newfoundland , labrador s recent history, ever since outmigration , depopulation have been perpetual problem. furthermore, wells ushered in period of economic liberalization privatized government services.