Updated: 08/10/11

About Danny Williams:

A self-made millionaire and high-profile St. John's lawyer before becoming Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland, Danny Williams comes from a family with strong Conservative traditions. While still in law school, Danny Williams led a consortium to get Newfoundland's first cable television licence and built Cable Atlantic into one of the largest communications companies in Atlantic Canada.


Danny Williams was enormously popular as Premier of Newfoundland. Always a fighter, he took on the federal government over fairness in the Atlantic Accord and he fought with the offshore oil industry for more benefits. By 2008 the province could stop collecting equalization payments, and became a "have" province rather than a "have-not" province for the first time in its history. In late 2010 Danny Williams resigned on a high note shortly after signing a deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project.

Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

2003 to 2010

Birth:

August 4, 1950 in St. John's, Newfoundland

Education:

• BA in political science and economics - Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Rhodes Scholar
• Degree in Arts in Law - Oxford University
• LL.B - Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Professional Background of Danny Williams:

• Danny Williams has been a lawyer since 1972 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1984.
• While still at Dalhousie University, Danny Williams led a consortium which was granted Newfoundland and Labrador's first cable television license.

• Danny Williams built Cable Atlantic into one of the largest communications companies in Atlantic Canada, before it was sold to Rogers Communications.
• He was also President of OIS Fisher, an offshore oil and gas supply and services company.

Political Affiliation:

Progressive Conservative

Riding:

Humber West

Political Career of Danny Williams:

• Danny Williams was acclaimed Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland in 2001.
• He was first elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in 2001. At the same time, Danny Williams became Leader of the Official Opposition in the Newfoundland House of Assembly.
• Danny Williams led the Progressive Conservatives to a majority government in the 2003 Newfoundland provincial election.
• Danny Williams was sworn in as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in November 2003.
• The Progressive Conservatives won an even larger majority government in the 2007 Newfoundland provincial election, taking 44 of the 48 seats in the Newfoundland House of Assembly.
• In late 201O, Danny Williams stepped down as premeir.
• He was followed by Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador's first female premier.