Tom Rideout | |
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4th Premier of Newfoundland | |
In office March 22, 1989 – May 5, 1989 |
|
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Lieutenant Governor | James A. McGrath |
Preceded by | Brian Peckford |
Succeeded by | Clyde Wells |
MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale | |
In office October 9, 2007 – June 30, 2008 |
|
Preceded by | Paul Shelley |
Succeeded by | Kevin Pollard |
In office September 16, 1975 – October 1, 1991 |
|
Preceded by | New District |
Succeeded by | Harold Small |
MHA for Lewisporte | |
In office February 9, 1999 – October 9, 2007 |
|
Preceded by | Melvin Penney |
Succeeded by | Wade Verge |
Personal details | |
Born |
Thomas Gerald Rideout June 25, 1948 Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland |
Political party | Progressive Conservative (1982-present) |
Other political affiliations |
Liberal (1975-1982) |
Thomas "Tom" Gerald Rideout (born June 25, 1948) is a former Canadian politician who served as the fourth Premier of Newfoundland from March 22, 1989 to May 5, 1989.
Born in Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland, Rideout was first elected to the provincial House of Assembly in the 1975 general election as a Liberal but left the party in 1980 to join the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Brian Peckford in its fight with Ottawa for control of offshore mineral resources. Rideout became minister of culture, recreation and youth in 1984 and became minister of fisheries in 1985. With Peckford's retirement from politics in 1989, Rideout was chosen Tory party leader and thus became premier of Newfoundland. One month later at the 1989 provincial election, the Progressive Conservatives narrowly won a higher percentage of votes than the Liberal Party led by Clyde Wells, but the Liberals won the most seats and Wells replaced Rideout as Premier. Rideout remained Leader of the Opposition until October 1991 when he left politics for a federal appointment as a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Rideout attempted a political comeback in the 1993 federal election, running as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Gander—Grand Falls, but was defeated by Liberal incumbent George Baker.