Joey Smallwood, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Joey Smallwood

Canadian politician

Date of Birth: 24-Dec-1900

Place of Birth: Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Date of Death: 17-Dec-1991

Profession: writer, politician, journalist, trade unionist

Nationality: Canada

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Joseph Roberts "Joey" Smallwood, (December 24, 1900 – December 17, 1991) was a Newfoundlander and Canadian politician.
He was the main force who brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation in 1949, becoming the first premier of Newfoundland, serving until 1972.
As premier, he vigorously promoted economic development, championed the welfare state, and emphasized modernization of education and transportation.
Smallwood was a socialist in philosophy, noting in a 1974 documentary that he considered the People's Republic of China to be the ideal social state; he would nonetheless collaborate with bankers, turning against the militant unions that sponsored numerous strikes.
The results of his efforts to promote industrialization were mixed, with the most favourable results in hydroelectricity, iron mining and paper mills. Smallwood was charismatic and controversial.
Never shy, he dubbed himself "the last Father of Confederation".
While many Canadians today remember Smallwood as the man who brought Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation, the opinions held by Newfoundlanders and their diaspora remain sharply divided as to his legacy.