Danny Williams

Daniel E. Williams (born August 4, 1949) is a Canadian politician, businessman, and lawyer who served as the ninth premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Before entering politics Williams was a highly successful lawyer and businessman. After becoming Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001, he was elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election for the district of Humber West in Corner Brook. Williams's premiership was controversial outside of Newfoundland and Labrador. Events such as ordering all Canadian flags to be removed from provincial government buildings, and launching the Anything But Conservative campaign in the 2008 federal election, garnered national attention. While Williams remains a controversial politician outside Newfoundland and Labrador, he was continuously ranked as one of the most popular premiers, with approval ratings in the province consistently in the high seventies and eighties. Early life and education Daniel E. Williams was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, the eldest of four children to Thomas Williams and Teresita (Galway). He received his early education from Saint Bonaventure's College and then Gonzaga High School. The Williams family have been Progressive Conservatives since the province's confederation with Canada; Williams handed out brochures and put up signs in support of John Diefenbaker's campaign to be Prime Minister.