For any Canadians that care, Danny Williams stepping down as premier

[Bikpik]

Not that many of you would care about this, but while the rest of the world was going through a recession, this guy was leading my province to an economic boom

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundlan...ture-1125.html

Danny Williams, who was first elected premier of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2003, announced Thursday he is leaving politics within two weeks.
"Today is one of those surreal days that you think about from time to time out of curiosity, but you never ever really allow your mind to go there fully because as you can see, the reality is just too overwhelming. And I got to tell you I do in fact feel very much overwhelmed by the enormity of this today," Williams said.
"Orson Welles once said that if you want a happy ending, you need to know when to end your story. So I’ve called you here today to announce the end of my story as a ninth premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. I will be stepping down on Dec. 3 to allow the party the time to elect a new leader."
Williams quoted U.S. president John F. Kennedy when he spoke about why he entered politics.
"It was in November of 2000 when I decided to run, and a decade is a long time. At that time, I reflected upon the words of John F. Kennedy, who said, and I quote: 'Anyone can make a difference, and everyone should try.' And I’m darn glad that I did," Williams said.
"Believe me, I was quite prepared to stay on for another term if some of my greatest challenges still lay ahead of me, but with the completion of the Lower Churchill deal, it is time for new leadership and new ideas within the PC Party of Newfoundland and Labrador."
Deputy Premier Kathy Dunderdale will be the acting premier for the time being. A provincial election is scheduled for next fall.
Last week, Williams signed a deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in Labrador.
For the past few weeks, there have been persistent rumours that Williams would sign the deal and then quit by early 2011.

Williams has called the Lower Churchill deal his legacy project, the last major initiative he set as a goal when he entered politics nearly a decade ago.
Earlier this year, he underwent heart surgery in the United States.
Williams has served as Progressive Conservative leader since 2001, and as Opposition leader before becoming premier Oct. 21, 2003.
He studied political science and economics at Memorial University. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1969, received a degree in arts in law from Oxford University in England, then returned to Canada to earn a bachelor of law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundlan...#ixzz16JHFYT2t

The wiki on him
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_W...8politician%29

ps. he donated his whole salary, while he was in office, to charity.

[Elesirdur]

That's surprising. I'm way on the other side so I don't pick up much NFLD news, but I thought Williams was quite popular? Maybe he's looking to move into federal politics? Though the article's closing line about heart surgery makes me think he might just be stepping down while his health and popularity are still good.

[Bikpik]

That's surprising. I'm way on the other side so I don't pick up much NFLD news, but I thought Williams was quite popular? Maybe he's looking to move into federal politics? Though the article's closing line about heart surgery makes me think he might just be stepping down while his health and popularity are still good.

Ya is he's still quite popular, the last election, his party got all but 4 seats in the house of assembly. He just announced the signing of the lower churchill deal last week http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...ction-120.html so i guess he wants to go out on a high note.

And he already said he won't be moving into federal politics, he's moving back into the private sector

[Cadsuane]

Good on ya Danny. God willing Newfoundland won't revert to being an economic abyss with him gone.

[Rhyis.]

Nobody cares what's happening in Newfoundland. Come on now.

[Bikpik]

Nobody cares what's happening in Newfoundland. Come on now.

That's why I put "For any Canadians that care" in the title durr

[Takedown3]

what's a good source for canadian politcal news outside of the traditional news sites like ctv or what have you. i'm constantly flooded with american politics and feel i dont get enough canadian news.

[Cadsuane]

Globe and Mail, Maclean's, and the CBC are more or less good journalism. CTV is not, obviously. What I do is occasionally read those and watch the National, plus whatever crotch drippings the blogosphere has to offer.

[Rhyis.]

That's why I put "For any Canadians that care" in the title durr

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__...s_the_joke.jpg