Danny Williams (politician)
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Danny Williams
Danny Williams (born August 4, 1950) is a Canadian businessman and politician. He is currently the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Williams attended Memorial University, where he received a degree in political science and economics. In 1969, he was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship and went to Oxford University, earning a Degree in Arts in Law. He then earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Williams practised law from 1972, becoming a highly successful lawyer, and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1984. While still in law school, Williams led a consortium of businesspeople that was granted Newfoundland's first cable television license. Through major acquisitions, he built Cable Atlantic into one of the largest communications companies in Atlantic Canada. It is often said that Williams used his media power to stifle criticism, often ordering reports not to cover protests against his company. As the principal owner, he eventually sold it to Rogers Cable Inc. for 300 million dollars, giving him the nickname of "Danny Millions", which he resents. Williams also served as president of OIS Fisher, an offshore oil and natural gas company.
Williams ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001. He was elected leader of the party and gained the seat of Humber West in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in a by-election.
He led his party to victory in the 2003 general election and became the province's ninth premier. The first year of his administration was marked by confrontations between his government and labour unions of the civil service. His son was attacked in a nightclub during the height of the conflict, leading Williams to warn the unions to stay away from his family.
He attracted considerable national attention on 23 December 2004 when he ordered all Canadian flags removed from provincial buildings in reply to a dispute with Prime Minister Paul Martin over inequities in revenues accruing to Newfoundland and Labrador over its offshore oil resources. Several weeks later, in late January 2005, Williams and Martin reached a deal which revised the royalty formula and saw the Government of Canada award Newfoundland $2.6 Billion (Cdn) as an advance on royalties. This tactic was heavily criticized in the rest of Canada, particularly Ontario, who suspected that Martin caved in on negotiations so he could win a much-needed by-election which would preserve Liberal power in the House of Commons.
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Preceded by: Roger Grimes 2001-2003 |
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador 2003-present |
Succeeded by: incumbent |