Deputy Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Deputy Premier of
Newfoundland and Labrador
Incumbent
Barry Petten
since 29 October 2025
Office of the Premier
Style
StatusDeputy Head of Government
Member of
Reports to
SeatConfederation Building, East Block, St. John's
NominatorPremier of Newfoundland and Labrador
AppointerLieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
FormationJanuary 9, 1988
First holderJohn F. Collins
WebsiteOffice of the Premier

The Deputy Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the representative of the Premier in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The deputy premier is appointed by the lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, as representative of the King in Right of Newfoundland and Labrador. The deputy premier is nominated by the Premier, who usually is the leader of the party that commands a majority in the House of Assembly. It is typical that the deputy premier holds additional portfolios and is a member of the Cabinet.

The word premier is derived from the French word of the same spelling, meaning "first"; and ultimately from the Latin word primarius, meaning "primary";[1] and hence deputy means "secondary".

Barry Petten has served as the Deputy Premier since October 29, 2025.[2] He represents Conception Bay South in the House of Assembly[3] and holds additional portfolios as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Public Procurement.

The office was established in 1988.[4] Before 2001, the official title was Deputy Premier of Newfoundland.

List of deputy premiers

No. Officeholder Term start Term end Time in office Party Ministry Constituency Notes
1 John F. Collins 9 January 1988 (1988-01-09) 27 March 1989 (1989-03-27) 1 year, 77 days PC Peckford St. John's South [4]
2 Lynn Verge 27 March 1989 (1989-03-27) 5 May 1989 (1989-05-05) 39 days PC Rideout Humber East [4]
vacant 6 May 1989 (1989-05-06) 12 February 2001 (2001-02-12) 11 years, 282 days n/a n/a [4]
3 Beaton Tulk 13 February 2001 (2001-02-13) 2 February 2002 (2002-02-02) 354 days Lib Grimes Bonavista North
vacant 3 February 2002 (2002-02-03) 7 November 2005 (2005-11-07) 3 years, 277 days n/a
n/a
4 Tom Rideout 8 November 2005 (2005-11-08) 21 May 2008 (2008-05-21) 2 years, 195 days PC Williams
vacant 22 May 2008 (2008-05-22) 30 October 2008 (2008-10-30) 161 days n/a Williams n/a
5 Kathy Dunderdale 31 October 2008 (2008-10-31) 3 December 2010 (2010-12-03) 2 years, 33 days PC Williams Virginia Waters
vacant 4 December 2010 (2010-12-04) 29 September 2014 (2014-09-29) 3 years, 299 days n/a n/a
6 Steve Kent 30 September 2014 (2014-09-30) 14 December 2015 (2015-12-14) 1 year, 75 days PC Davis Mount Pearl North
vacant 15 December 2015 (2015-12-15) 18 August 2020 (2020-08-18) 4 years, 247 days n/a Ball n/a
7 Siobhan Coady 19 August 2020 (2020-08-19) 29 October 2025 (2025-10-29) 5 years, 71 days Lib St. John's West
8 Barry Petten 29 October 2025 (2025-10-29) incumbent 144 days PC Wakeham Conception Bay South [2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Onions, C. T. (1985). Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology.
  2. ^ a b Hood, Jillian (October 29, 2025). "Premier Wakeham Announces New Cabinet" (Press release). Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  3. ^ Smellie, Sarah. "Progressive Conservatives to form majority government in N.L." The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Ministerial Portfolios Since 1949: Newfoundland and Labrador" (PDF). assembly.nl.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 30, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2026.