Sketch profiles of the political leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – A sketch of the leaders of Newfoundland and Labrador’s three main political parties.

Progressive Conservative Leader Paul Davis

BEFORE POLITICS: After graduating from Holland College in Prince Edward Island, he joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 1985, serving in a varieyt of roles including with patrol services, criminal investigation, community policing and media relations. He served on the executive of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association until his retirement in 2010.

POLITICAL CAREER: Served as a councillor and deputy mauor of his home town of Conception Bay South until he was elected to the legislature in 2010 to represent the district of Topsail. He became a cabinet minister in 2011, serving in a number of portfolios including transportation and works, housing, health and community services, and child, youth and family services. He became party leader last year.

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Liberal Leader Dwight Ball

BEFORE POLITICS: After graduating from pharmacy school he returned to Deer Lake, where he franchised the Deer Lake Pharmacy. His business operations expanded to include personal care homes, real estate development and venture capital investments, employing several hundred people.

POLITICAL CAREER: First elected as a member of the legislature in the riding of Humber Valley in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011 and became leader of the Opposition in January 2012, before winning the party leadership on Nov. 17, 2013.

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NDP Leader Earle McCurdy

BEFORE POLITICS: A well-known union leader, serving as president of FFAW-CAW, which later became FFAW-Unifor, from 1993 until 2014. He led the union during tough times when the federal government placed a moratorium on northern cod. Before becoming the union’s president, he served for 13 years as its secretary-treasurer.

POLTICAL CAREER: Became leader of the NDP in March after Lorraine Michael stepped down. He did not have a seat in the legislature before the election was called.