Make money doing the work you believe in
Joey Smallwood was the first premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, serving from 1949 to 1972.
Called a Father of Confederation by some, he remains a figure both loved and hated to this day.
This is his story.
Joey Smallwood was born on Dec. 24, 1900 in Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador. He grew up in St. John's, and for a time as a young adult lived in New York City before returning to Newfoundland. In 1937, he began hosting The Barrelman radio show, which was very popular.
The show brought him fame across the island. He left the show in 1943. A critic of British rule over Newfoundland, he became a delegate at the Newfoundland National Convention in 1946. There, he advocated for joining Canada.
Smallwood succeeded in getting a Canada option on the ballot. He also created The Confederate, a newspaper to promote joining Canada. Through two referendums in June and July 1948, the decision was made to join Canada but the votes were very close.
Chosen as the province's first premier in 1949, he championed the welfare state, modernized education and promoted immigration. He often put economic development above all else and granted foreign countries concessions to encourage development.
One of his most controversial decisions was in 1969 when he locked Newfoundland into selling electricity from its Churchill Falls Dam to Quebec until 2041 at a fixed rate far below current rates. Work is ongoing since 2024 to create a new agreement.
Many saw Smallwood as autocratic. Unlike other Legislatures in Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly did not have a question period.
He also chose every Liberal candidate. He expected his MHAs to follow his orders without question.
He had a special switchboard in his office so he could listen in an any conversation his ministers had without them knowing. In the lane leading to the parking lot of his home, he had microphones hidden so he could hear what was being said about him.
In 1969, Smallwood planned to retire but then chose not to and ran for the leadership of the party. He required several MHAs to come to his home and sign affidavits supporting him.
In the 1971 provincial election, Smallwood's Liberals won 20 seats, while the Progressive Conservatives won 21. Tom Burgess, a Labrador Party MHA, kept the Liberals propped up but the Assembly was at a standstill.
In January 1972, Smallwood resigned.
Smallwood formed the Newfoundland Reform Liberal Party in 1975, which won four seats in the election.
Joey Smallwood passed away on Dec. 17, 1991.
Learn more about Smallwood in my deep dive here 👇
I hope you enjoyed that look at the life of Joey Smallwood.
If you enjoy my Canadian history content, you can support my work with a donation at 👇
📸 Library and Archives
📸 CPAC
📸 Memorial University of Newfoundland
