Tony Wakeham
Tony Wakeham is a Canadian politician and businessman who has served as the 16th premier of Newfoundland and Labrador since 2025. He has represented Stephenville-Port au Port in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly since 2019, and has served as the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador Progressive Conservative Party since 2023.
Life and early career
Tony Wakeham was born on July 16, 1956, in Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, to James and Mary Wakeham. His father worked at Naval Station Argentia and his mother was a teacher. After attending Laval High School in Placentia, Wakeham graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Bachelor of Arts in 1979. He played basketball during his time at Memorial. Wakeham is married to his wife, Patricia, and has 2 children.Prior to entering politics, Wakeham was the CEO of Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority, was a franchisee of many KFC restaurants and has served as the president of both the Newfoundland and Labrador Basketball Association and Basketball Canada. He has also worked as a public servant in the provincial government and as a basketball coach.
Political career
In 2018, Wakeham ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, but was defeated by St. John's lawyer Ches Crosbie. The final tally was Crosbie with 2,298.92 and Wakeham with 1,701.08 points respectively.On January 17, 2023, Wakeham announced he would be a candidate in the 2023 provincial PC leadership election. He won the election and became Leader of the Opposition.
Premier (2025–present)
Wakeham led his party to a majority government in the 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador general election, in a major political upset. He was re-elected in his own seat of Stephenville-Port au Port, and will be the first Progressive Conservative premier of the province since 2015. Primarily campaigning on affordability and healthcare, Wakeham promised to conduct an independent review and a referendum on the Churchill Falls memorandum of understanding. He formed the Wakeham ministry on October 29, 2025, following his swearing-in.Electoral history
Leadership elections
;2023 Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador leadership election| Candidate | |
| Name | Points |
| Ches Crosbie | 2,298.92 57.47% |
| Tony Wakeham | 1,701.08 42.53% |
| Total points | 4,000.00 |