Bill Rowe
Encyclopedia
William N. Rowe QC
(born June 4, 1942) is a former politician, lawyer, broadcaster, and writer in Newfoundland and Labrador
, Canada. He is married to Penelope Ayre Rowe of St. John’s
, who is a member of the Order of Canada
. They have a son, Dorian, a daughter, Toby, and three grandchildren.
Rowe was born in Grand Bank
and is the son of the late Liberal Senator Frederick William Rowe and the late Edith Laura Butt.
Rowe attended Memorial University of Newfoundland
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He studied for a Bachelor of Law at the University of New Brunswick
on a Sir James Hamet Dunn
Scholarship, and went on to become a Rhodes Scholar, graduating with an Honours M.A in Law from Oxford University.
He entered politics and was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
five times, first at the age of twenty-four. He was appointed, at twenty-six, as a Minister in the Government of Joey Smallwood
and became responsible for several Departments. He was later elected as Leader of the Opposition
, holding that position from 1977 to 1979. He resigned his position prior to the 1979 general election
, in favour of Don Jamieson
, but kept his own seat.
One of Rowe's political aides while he was Opposition Leader was a young Brian Tobin
.
In 1982, Bill Rowe lost his seat in the Newfoundland general election, which saw the Progressive Conservatives
under the leadership of Brian Peckford
, win by a landslide, taking 44 seats.
After leaving politics, Rowe resumed his law practice. As a lawyer, he practiced in St. John's for over three decades, concentrating for years on labour-management arbitrations. During the 1980s he was retained by the federal Minister of National Revenue to conduct a nation-wide inquiry into fishermen’s perceived income tax problems with Revenue Canada.
Rowe was appointed to Queen's Counsel
in 2007.
A long-time public affairs commentator, Rowe has appeared regularly on national and local television and radio. He has hosted a daily call-in show on VOCM
and CFCB radio for nearly thirty years, which focuses on public issues and is carried throughout the province and around the world. Rowe was instrumental in exposing the Mount Cashel Orphanage
scandal when he was host of VOCM's Open Line radio show.
Rowe also wrote weekly public affairs columns for St. John's daily newspaper, The Telegram
, the Corner Brook Western Star
, and other newspapers.
In 2004, Premier Danny Williams
appointed him Provincial Representative in Ottawa
, where he advised the Premier during the crucial negotiations with the Government of Canada
that led to the Atlantic Accord
, which secured more than two billion dollars for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rowe has written four books: Clapp’s Rock, a best-selling novel published by McClelland and Stewart
of Toronto and serialized on CBC national radio
; The Temptation of Victor Galanti, a second novel published by McClelland and Stewart; and Is That You, Bill?, a volume of essays on politics and public affairs published by Jesperson Press of St. John's. In 2010, Flanker Press published his best-selling political memoir, Danny Williams: The War with Ottawa.
Rowe is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and has served on the executive of the Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On June 22, 2011, Rowe announced on his radio show his intention to retire from VOCM
after nearly thirty years to write full-time. He has agreed to fill in periodically for the regular talk show hosts.
His last day as host of his show, BackTalk, was Friday, June 24, 2011. Paddy Daly took over for him on August 1, 2011.
Rowe is currently sitting in as host for the Fall Season of VOCM's Nightline.
Bill Rowe has a book coming out in the fall of 2011. Danny Williams, Please Come Back is a compilation of his columns and commentaries written between 2005 and 2007. The launch is scheduled for September 22nd.
He is currently writing another novel which will be published in 2012.
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born June 4, 1942) is a former politician, lawyer, broadcaster, and writer in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Canada. He is married to Penelope Ayre Rowe of St. John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
, who is a member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. They have a son, Dorian, a daughter, Toby, and three grandchildren.
Rowe was born in Grand Bank
Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador
Grand Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada or 'Grand Banc' as the first French settlers pronounced it, is a small rural town with a population of 2,580. It is located on the southern tip or "toe" of the Burin Peninsula , 360 km from the province's capital of St...
and is the son of the late Liberal Senator Frederick William Rowe and the late Edith Laura Butt.
Rowe attended Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a comprehensive university located primarily in St...
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts. He studied for a Bachelor of Law at the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
on a Sir James Hamet Dunn
James Hamet Dunn
Sir James Hamet Dunn, 1st Baronet was a major Canadian financier and industrialist during the first half of the 20th century.-Early life:...
Scholarship, and went on to become a Rhodes Scholar, graduating with an Honours M.A in Law from Oxford University.
He entered politics and was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly
The Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is one of two components of the General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newfoundland and Labrador General Assembly meets in the Confederation Building at St...
five times, first at the age of twenty-four. He was appointed, at twenty-six, as a Minister in the Government of Joey Smallwood
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, PC, CC was the main force that brought Newfoundland into the Canadian confederation, and became the first Premier of Newfoundland . As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and...
and became responsible for several Departments. He was later elected as Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (Newfoundland and Labrador)
The Leader of the Opposition in Newfoundland and Labrador is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.This list is incomplete...
, holding that position from 1977 to 1979. He resigned his position prior to the 1979 general election
Newfoundland general election, 1979
The 39th Newfoundland general election was held on 8 June 1979 to elect members of the 38th General Assembly of Newfoundland, the tenth general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada. It was won by the Progressive Conservative party.-Results:...
, in favour of Don Jamieson
Don Jamieson
Donald Campbell Jamieson, PC was a Canadian politician, diplomat and broadcaster.Jamieson was born in St. John's Newfoundland...
, but kept his own seat.
One of Rowe's political aides while he was Opposition Leader was a young Brian Tobin
Brian Tobin
Brian Vincent Tobin, PC is a Canadian businessman and former politician. Tobin served as the sixth Premier of Newfoundland from 1996 to 2000. Tobin was also a prominent Member of Parliament and served as a Cabinet Minister in Jean Chrétien's Liberal government.- Early life, education, and family...
.
In 1982, Bill Rowe lost his seat in the Newfoundland general election, which saw the Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador
For pre-1949 Conservative parties see Conservative parties in Newfoundland The Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador is a centre-right provincial political party in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Originally founded in 1949 the party has formed the Government of...
under the leadership of Brian Peckford
Brian Peckford
Alfred Brian Peckford, PC served as the 3rd Premier of Newfoundland. He served as leader of the Progressive Conservatives from 1979 until his retirement in 1989....
, win by a landslide, taking 44 seats.
After leaving politics, Rowe resumed his law practice. As a lawyer, he practiced in St. John's for over three decades, concentrating for years on labour-management arbitrations. During the 1980s he was retained by the federal Minister of National Revenue to conduct a nation-wide inquiry into fishermen’s perceived income tax problems with Revenue Canada.
Rowe was appointed to Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
in 2007.
A long-time public affairs commentator, Rowe has appeared regularly on national and local television and radio. He has hosted a daily call-in show on VOCM
VOCM (AM)
VOCM is an AM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM...
and CFCB radio for nearly thirty years, which focuses on public issues and is carried throughout the province and around the world. Rowe was instrumental in exposing the Mount Cashel Orphanage
Mount Cashel Orphanage
The Mount Cashel Orphanage is a former Canadian orphanage that was operated by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. It was located in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador....
scandal when he was host of VOCM's Open Line radio show.
Rowe also wrote weekly public affairs columns for St. John's daily newspaper, The Telegram
The Telegram
The Telegram is a daily newspaper published in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.-History:The Evening Telegram was first published on April 3, 1879 by William James Herder. It adopted its current name in 1998, although it was also briefly published under this name in 1881...
, the Corner Brook Western Star
The Western Star (Corner Brook)
The Western Star is a daily newspaper serving Western Newfoundland and Labrador, primarily Corner Brook, Stephenville, and the Humber Valley.The paper was founded in 1900 in Curling. It became a daily in 1954...
, and other newspapers.
In 2004, Premier Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA 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...
appointed him Provincial Representative in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, where he advised the Premier during the crucial negotiations with the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
that led to the Atlantic Accord
Atlantic Accord
The Atlantic Accord is an agreement signed in 1985 between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to manage offshore oil and gas resources adjacent to Newfoundland and Labrador....
, which secured more than two billion dollars for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Rowe has written four books: Clapp’s Rock, a best-selling novel published by McClelland and Stewart
McClelland and Stewart
McClelland & Stewart Limited is a Canadian publishing company. It is partially owned by Random House of Canada, now a subsidiary of Bertelsmann....
of Toronto and serialized on CBC national radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
; The Temptation of Victor Galanti, a second novel published by McClelland and Stewart; and Is That You, Bill?, a volume of essays on politics and public affairs published by Jesperson Press of St. John's. In 2010, Flanker Press published his best-selling political memoir, Danny Williams: The War with Ottawa.
Rowe is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and has served on the executive of the Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On June 22, 2011, Rowe announced on his radio show his intention to retire from VOCM
VOCM (AM)
VOCM is an AM radio station in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, broadcasting at 590 kHz. Owned by Newcap Radio, VOCM first went on the air in 1936. October 19, 2011 marks 75 years of broadcasting for VOCM...
after nearly thirty years to write full-time. He has agreed to fill in periodically for the regular talk show hosts.
His last day as host of his show, BackTalk, was Friday, June 24, 2011. Paddy Daly took over for him on August 1, 2011.
Rowe is currently sitting in as host for the Fall Season of VOCM's Nightline.
Bill Rowe has a book coming out in the fall of 2011. Danny Williams, Please Come Back is a compilation of his columns and commentaries written between 2005 and 2007. The launch is scheduled for September 22nd.
He is currently writing another novel which will be published in 2012.