Premier Danny Williams announced his resignation Thursday morning after seven years of leading Newfoundland and Labrador and building a reputation as one of this country’s most colourful politicians.
Williams made the announcement during an emotional 30-minute unscripted speech in St. John’s, where he was surrounded by staff and colleagues who applauded him and shouted "Danny, Danny"
"I feel very overwhelmed by the enormity of this today," said Williams, who fought back tears and whose voice was choked with emotion throughout his address.
Williams, 61, said that in the wake of his government’s recent deal to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project, it was time to leave office on a positive note. He later said his health was fine – he underwent serious heart surgery earlier this year – and he just felt "the timing was right" to leave now.
He will step down on Dec. 3 to give his party time to elect a new leader.
Kathy Dunderdale, the deputy premier will become acting premier until a replacement can be chosen.
In his speech, Williams spoke passionately about how Newfoundland had changed in recent years and was no longer the "have-not" province that relied on the rest of the country for support.
"Those people who once thought we were the poor cousins of Confederation now see us as the place to be – a province on the move."
Williams said Newfoundlanders are experiencing a "renewed pride" and can "hold their heads high."
"We can now make choices in our own self interest," he said. "Our time has come. Our future is being shaped in our own hands." "Make no mistake. This is a place that has been renewed."
He told people to go outside and breathe in the fresh air. "You are breathing in success. The success of us being a `have’ province."
Williams said the various deals that have improved the province’s economic fortunes will bring $70 billion into Newfoundland and create thousands of jobs.
The premier spoke of his province as a place like no other "with its rugged climate and beauty. It is a place whose people are a rare breed."
And he said that when he entered politics he knew it was going to be a job with many challenges.
The daily grind of politics often got him down he said, but added he was sustained by the supportive emails and cards he received from the public. Or there was the time, after a long day and he was rushing through the airport, he would hear someone shout at him: "Hey Danny boy, keep up the good work.’
It gave me the strength to go on."
The news of Williams’ impending announcement began leaking out early Thursday morning, with Liberal MP Gerry Byrne confirming what was about to happen.
"He’s got his bucket list done, that’s the bottom line," said Byrne. "He’s accomplished what he set out to do."
Included on that list of accomplishments, along with the hydro deal, are strengthening the offshore oil industry and advancing the Atlantic Accord dispute.
Byrne said that speculation Williams would step down started flying after he signed a $6.2 billion deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project. The deal caps off Williams’ career leading Newfoundland and Labrador from a have-not province to a powerhouse built on offshore oil wealth.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest said Thursday morning that he admired what Williams had done for Newfoundland and Labrador.
"He has been an extraordinary leader for the province," said Charest.
Charest said he was a federal MP when he first began working with Williams."And we’ve done a lot of good things together. So I can only wish Danny all the best."
NDP Leader Jack Layton said he has always enjoyed working with Williams to promote issues such as affordable housing and pharmacare.
"He’s always welcomed me into his office for discussions about key issues," Layton said at a news conference. "He’s been remarkably accessible. . . .He has served his province with an aggressive enthusiasm that has endeared him certainly to the people of his province. No question about it."
Williams was elected premier in 2003.
Earlier this year, the premier made headlines by travelling to Florida for heart surgery, setting off a storm of cross-border debate on the merits of Canadian health care verses the private American system.
"My arteries are clear. It was a valve issue for me. Mine was leaking and the seeping went from moderate to severe all of a sudden," he said in the spring.
Williams has soared to a level of personal popularity never before experienced by most in provincial politics.
One poll this spring gave him 93 per cent voter approval in a legislature where his Progressive Conservative’s 43 seats dominate a combined opposition just one-tenth the size.
Williams is known as a political scrapper and once demanded Newfoundlanders vote Anything But Conservative (ABC) in 2008, which produced a resounding shutout for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"He’s a loved and hated politician among the political class, but today whatever feeling of animosity people may have is replaced with envy," said Byrne.
– with files from Peter O’Neil and Mike De Souza
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.