John Efford first served as a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1985 to 2001, representing Port de Grave electoral district and serving as cabinet minister of various portfolios.
24 Facts About John Efford
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Ruben John Efford was born on January 6,1944, in Port de Grave, Newfoundland and Labrador, the son of Reuben John and Diana Efford.
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John Efford completed high school in his hometown, before doing a business administration program.
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John Efford went on to become the owner and operator of Efford's Wholesale, Snow's Plumbing Ltd and the Della Lee retail clothing store.
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John Efford joined and actively participated in the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador during the early 1960s.
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John Efford was elected to the District Liberal Association in 1969 and eventually became its vice-president.
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John Efford was elected to the House of Assembly, representing the riding of Port de Grave.
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John Efford was initially Opposition critic for consumer affairs, public works, fisheries, health and social services.
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John Efford later served as minister of social services, minister of works, services and transportation, and minister of fisheries and aquaculture after the Liberals won the 1989 provincial election.
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John Efford accompanied Newfoundlander fish harvesters to Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to protest the measure and argued for their rights to fish.
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John Efford was perturbed by some students and scientists at Memorial University of Newfoundland who wrote to the federal fisheries minister requesting that the latter delay increasing the seal quota until a complete scientific review was conducted.
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John Efford was of the opinion that they were undermining his efforts.
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John Efford ultimately served as a MHA from 1985 to 2001.
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John Efford lost the 2001 leadership convention to become Liberal party leader to Roger Grimes by 14 votes in a divisive contest.
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John Efford was elected to the House of Commons in a by-election in May 2002 and was re-elected in the 2004 general election.
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John Efford was appointed Minister of Natural Resources in December 2003 and served in that role until February 2006.
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John Efford served as a member of the standing committees on Canadian Heritage, Fisheries and Oceans, on the standing committees of Human Resources Development, Status of Persons with Disabilities, Aboriginal Affairs, and Northern Development and Natural Resources.
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John Efford later stated on NTV that he would not run again in the 2006 federal election or run for the leadership of the Newfoundland Liberal Party.
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In November 2005, it was reported that John Efford was retiring from politics due to poor health from diabetes.
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In February 2011, John Efford criticized the leadership of provincial Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones and called for her to consider resigning.
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John Efford stated that her low poll numbers were the main reason for his request.
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John Efford referenced a Telelink poll released that week by NTV, in which 11 percent of respondents said they would prefer Jones to lead the province.
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John Efford revealed in 2019 that he had been battling Alzheimer's disease for two years.
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John Efford died on January 2,2022, at a hospital in Carbonear, four days shy of his 78th birthday.