Premier and Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador

Early Beginnings and Educational Achievements

Danny Williams was born in St. John's on August 4, 1949. He attended Gonzaga High School and St. Bonaventure's College. He continued his post-secondary education at Memorial University of Newfoundland where he studied political science and economics. Williams was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1969, which he used to earn a degree in Arts in Law from Oxford University. After completing his studies, Williams returned to Canada and earned a Law Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Pre-Political Life

Williams practiced law in Newfoundland and Labrador beginning in 1972 and was appointed to Queen’s Counsel in 1984. He played a central role in the development of cable television in Newfoundland until the purchase of Cable Atlantic by Rogers Communications. Williams also served as President of OIS Fisher, an offshore oil and gas company. Additionally, he helped found, and served as President of, the St. John's Junior Hockey League; he was also instrumental in bringing the St. John's Maple Leafs AHL team to the city. 

Political Life

In April 2001, Williams became the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Progressive Conservative Party. He was elected a Member of the House of Assembly for Humber West in a by-election in June 2001 and became the leader of the Official Opposition. In the October 21, 2003 provincial election, the PC Party won 34 of 48 seats. Williams was sworn in as Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador on November 6, 2003. He also assumed the posts of Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs (a post he held until March 14, 2006), and Minister Responsible for Business (a post he held until July 5, 2006).

Williams made national headlines when he was at odds with the federal Liberal government over the revenues from the province’s offshore oil revenues. In late January 2005, Williams and Prime Minister Paul Martin reached a deal which revised the offshores royalty formula. Williams has consistently enjoyed approval ratings that rank among the highest of any Canadian politician. In March 2005 one poll showed Willams’ ratings as high as 86 percent.

Williams is again at odds with the federal government, although this time with the federal Conservative government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The nature of the dispute is the federal budget which scuttled the Atlantic Accord that protected the provinces’ offshore royalties from equalization clawbacks.

Personal and Community Life

Danny Williams is married to Maureen (Power). They have four children, Jillian, Daniel, Jane, and Katie, and two grandchildren, Abbigayle and Gabriel. Mr. Williams has served on several community boards, including the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Parliamentary Channel, the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, and the Provincial Government Offshore Oil Impact Advisory Council. Williams has also been involved with Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Iris Kirby House, and the Arthritis Society.