John Hogan named N.L.’s premier designate after winning Liberal leadership contest

John Hogan walks past supporters after he was announced as the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Party Leader replacing Dr. Andrew Furey, on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in St. John's NL. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press)

ST. JOHN’S — Liberals in Newfoundland and Labrador elected John Hogan as leader and the province’s new premier designate on Saturday.

Hogan, the 47-year-old former health and justice minister, handily beat rival John Abbott in a vote released at the party’s convention at a hotel in downtown St. John’s.

He picked up 77.4 per cent of the points needed under the party’s voting system, which assigns points for the number of votes won in each of the province’s 40 electoral districts. Nearly 14,000 party members registered to vote.

Hogan will take over from Andrew Furey, who announced in February he would step down as premier.

To chants of “Hogan, Hogan,” the new leader told party supporters he wants to ensure the province lives up to its full potential.

“I’m proud to be the leader of such a strong group of representatives and together we will work every day to deliver real economic and social benefits to every corner of our province,” said Hogan, who added it was an “incredible honour” to become the province’s 15th premier.

“I want Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to know, I’ve got your back,” he said. “I put my name forward for this position because I know our province is at an important crossroads. I have a clear vision of what must be done to accomplish our goals, balance our priorities and harness our opportunities.”

Hogan’s victorious campaign zeroed in on health care, affordability and finalizing a high-stakes energy deal with Quebec that promises $225 billion in revenue over the next 50 years.

“We are here at the beginning of a new era,” he said. “The MOU with Hydro Quebec is an extraordinary opportunity and one that can transform, not just the fortunes, but the entire spirit of our province. Think of the doors this will open for us, our children, our grandchildren and we know how important it is to get this deal across the line.”

Hogan inherits considerable challenges, including a projected provincial net debt of $19.4 billion for a province of about 540,000 people who are spread out across a vast area, mostly in coastal fishing towns home to fewer than 1,000 people.

It is difficult and expensive to provide services to such a sparsely populated region where many small communities are hours away from larger centres.

The province is also home to the most rapidly aging population in the country; roughly a quarter of its residents are 65 years or older.

Hogan worked as a lawyer at a small firm before he was elected to government. His legal work, he has said, was a lot like running a small business. He’s also been the justice minister and the attorney general.

Hogan has two young children, aged eight and three, and has said that he understands how difficult it is to afford to raise a family.

“We’re ready to fight for our economy,” he said Saturday. “To provide support for seniors and increase our focus on families and affordability.”

Hogan will soon have to lead the governing Liberals into a provincial election, which must take place before October.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2025.

-- With files by Keith Doucette in Halifax