N.L. politicians remember former provincial and federal cabinet minister John Efford

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Flags at government buildings in Newfoundland and Labrador will be flying at half-mast following the death of former provincial and federal cabinet minister John Efford, who died today at the age of 77.

Premier Andrew Furey offered his condolences to Efford’s family today, saying he “selflessly served his province and country” for two decades.

Efford was born in 1944 in the Newfoundland town of Port de Grave and was an elected Liberal member of the provincial legislature from 1985 to 2001.

He joined the House of Commons in 2002 as the elected member for the federal riding of Bonavista-Trinity-Conception.

He was appointed federal Minister of Natural Resources in 2003 and held the post until he retired in early 2006.

Furey says the province has lost “a true icon” and that flags at all government buildings will fly at half mast from sunrise to sunset until the day of Efford’s funeral, which has not yet been determined.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 2, 2022.

The Canadian Press