John Efford

The Honourable John Efford PC
Member of Parliament for Avalon Bonavista—Trinity—Conception (2002-2004)
In office January 25, 2002 – January 23, 2006
Preceded by	Brian Tobin
Succeeded by	Fabian Manning
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Port de Grave
In office April 2, 1985 – March 28, 2001
Preceded by	Randy W. Collins
Succeeded by	Roland Butler
Personal details
Born	(1944-01-06) January 6, 1944 Port de Grave, Newfoundland
Died	small
Resting place	small
Political party	Liberal
Parent	small
Occupation	Businessman

Ruben John Efford, PC (born January 6, 1944) is a former Canadian politician.

Early and private life

The son of Reuben John and Diana Efford, he completed a business administration program and became the owner and operator of Efford’s Wholesale, Snow's Plumbing Ltd and the Della Lee retail clothing store. Efford and his wife, Madonna, have three children: Jacqueline Ann, John III and Joseph Lee and three grandchildren: John Efford IV, Jenna Emily Suzanna Efford and Cali Jean Efford Fitzgerald.

Provincial politics

From 1985 to 2001, he served as a Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. He was Opposition critic for consumer affairs, public works, fisheries, health and social services. He later served as minister of social services, minister of works, services and transportation, and minister of fisheries and aquaculture. He lost the 2001 leadership convention to become Liberal party leader to Roger Grimes by 14 votes in a divisive contest. Efford and fellow leadership contestant Paul Dicks subsequently left provincial politics saying that they could not work with Grimes.

Federal politics

Efford was elected to the House of Commons in a by-election in May 2002 and was re-elected in the 2004 general election. In 2003, he was named Minister of Natural Resources. He has served as a member of the standing committees on Canadian Heritage and on Fisheries and Oceans. He has also served on the standing committees on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities and on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources.

Retirement

On September 1, 2005, after considerable speculation that he intended to resign his federal cabinet position due to ill-health, Efford announced, to much surprise, that he had no intention to resign. He 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. In November 2005, it was reported that Efford was retiring from politics due to poor health from diabetes.

In February 2011, Efford criticized the leadership of provincial Liberal Leader, Yvonne Jones and called for her to consider resigning. Efford stated that her low poll numbers were the main reason for his request. He referenced a Telelink poll released that week by NTV, in which 11 percent of respondents said they would prefer Jones to lead the province. Jones responded by saying Efford was an absolute nuisance to the Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal party, and another poll done in March showed that Jones' popularity was now up to 18% from the 11% that the February poll showed.

External links

• How'd They Vote?: John Efford's voting history and quotes