Earle McCurdy

Earle McCurdy (born 1950) is a Canadian labour leader and politician from Newfoundland and Labrador. He was the leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party from 2015 to 2017. McCurdy was involved with the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union before entering politics, serving as their secretary treasurer from 1980 to 1993 and as their president from 1993 to 2014.

Background McCurdy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1950 as the son of Sherburne McCurdy, an educator who served as president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation, and Elizabeth (née Jefferson).

McCurdy presided as the FFAW union president during Canada's fishing dispute with the European Union, which became known as the Turbot War.

New Democratic Party leader (2015–2017) McCurdy was elected leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador NDP at the party's leadership convention held March 7, 2015, defeating two other contenders with 68% support on the first ballot. In the 2015 provincial election, McCurdy failed to win a seat in the House of Assembly and was defeated by Siobhán Coady by nearly 1000 votes.

On June 11, 2016, McCurdy's leadership was reaffirmed at the party's provincial convention with the support of 91.6% of delegates.

On September 19, 2017, McCurdy announced his resignation as Leader, effective September 30, 2017. His resignation came after Steve Kent announced he would resign his seat of Mount Pearl North where McCurdy resided but which was unlikely to be winnable for the NDP. Following McCurdy's resignation, MHA and former leader Lorraine Michael was named interim leader.

Electoral record