Len Simms
Encyclopedia
Leonard Simms (born 1943) is a former politician in Newfoundland and Labrador
and a public servant. Since 2005 he has been chairman and chief executive officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, a provincial crown corporation.
Simms was the Progressive Conservative
Member of the House of Assembly
for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans from 1979 to 1995. He served as Speaker of the House of Assembly
from 1979 to 1982 when he was appointed to the provincial Cabinet of Premier
Brian Peckford
. Simms served successively as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth, Forestry Minister and later Treasury Board president under Peckford.
Simms ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1989 but lost to Tom Rideout who subsequently appointed him Development Minister in his Cabinet. The Tory government was defeated in the 1989 general election
and Simms moved to the Opposition benches. He succeeded Rideout in 1991 to become Leader of the Opposition
and party leader. The party lost the 1993 general election
and Simms resigned as party leader two years later.
He was appointed head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation by Premier Danny Williams
in 2005. In 2007 he stepped down in order to take a senior role in Williams' 2007 re-election campaign
and was immediately re-appointed to the $130,000 a year housing corporation position following the election leading to complaints of "blatant patronage" from the Opposition.
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...
and a public servant. Since 2005 he has been chairman and chief executive officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, a provincial crown corporation.
Simms was the Progressive Conservative
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...
Member of the 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...
for Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans from 1979 to 1995. He served as Speaker of the House of Assembly
Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Speaker of the House of Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador is the presiding officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly.The current Speaker of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly is Ross Wiseman, who was uncontested for the role following the 2011 General...
from 1979 to 1982 when he was appointed to the provincial Cabinet of Premier
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is the first minister, head of government and de facto chief executive for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Before 1964, the position's official title was Premier of Newfoundland...
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....
. Simms served successively as Minister of Culture, Recreation and Youth, Forestry Minister and later Treasury Board president under Peckford.
Simms ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1989 but lost to Tom Rideout who subsequently appointed him Development Minister in his Cabinet. The Tory government was defeated in the 1989 general election
Newfoundland general election, 1989
The 42nd Newfoundland general election was held on April 20, 1989 to elect members of the 41st General Assembly of Newfoundland, the 13th general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada...
and Simms moved to the Opposition benches. He succeeded Rideout in 1991 to become 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...
and party leader. The party lost the 1993 general election
Newfoundland general election, 1993
The 43rd Newfoundland general election was held on 3 May 1993 to elect members of the 42nd General Assembly of Newfoundland, the 14th general election for the province of Newfoundland, Canada. It was won by the Liberal party.-Results:...
and Simms resigned as party leader two years later.
He was appointed head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation by 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...
in 2005. In 2007 he stepped down in order to take a senior role in Williams' 2007 re-election campaign
Newfoundland and Labrador general election, 2007
The 47th Newfoundland and Labrador general election was held on October 9, 2007 to elect members of the 46th General Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador, the 18th general election for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.-Campaign:...
and was immediately re-appointed to the $130,000 a year housing corporation position following the election leading to complaints of "blatant patronage" from the Opposition.