Edward Roberts (Canadian politician)
QC | |
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11th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador | |
In office November 1, 2002 – February 4, 2008 | |
Monarch | Elizabeth II |
Governors General | Adrienne Clarkson Michaëlle Jean |
Premier | Roger Grimes Danny Williams |
Preceded by | Arthur Maxwell House |
Succeeded by | John Crosbie |
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for White Bay North | |
In office September 8, 1966 – April 2, 1985 | |
Preceded by | Walter C. Carter |
Succeeded by | Chris Decker |
Member of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly for Naskaupi | |
In office June 25, 1992 – February 22, 1996 | |
Preceded by | Jim Kelland |
Succeeded by | Ernie McLean |
Personal details | |
Born | St. John's, Newfoundland | September 1, 1940
Died | January 14, 2022 St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | (aged 81)
Spouse | Eve Roberts |
Profession | Politician |
Edward Moxon Roberts
Early life
Roberts was born in St. John's, Dominion of Newfoundland, on September 1, 1940.[1][2] His father, Harry Roberts, was a noted medical doctor in St. John's who founded a major pharmaceutical distribution company in Newfoundland and was also the owner of the Battery Hotel.[3] After attending Holloway School and Prince of Wales Collegiate in his hometown, Roberts completed his secondary education at St. Andrew's College in Aurora, Ontario.[2] He went on to study at the University of Toronto, first earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1960 before graduating with a Bachelor of Laws four years later.[1][2]
Roberts subsequently
Legislative career
First stint
Roberts served as the first executive assistant to premier Joey Smallwood starting in 1964.[3][2] He entered provincial politics two years later, running in the 1966 Newfoundland general election for the provincial Liberals. He was elected to the House of Assembly, representing the riding of White Bay North. He was subsequently named first parliamentary assistant to Smallwood, before being appointed minister of public welfare in July 1968, and minister of health a year later.[1][2] It was in that last role that Roberts presided over the implementation of Newfoundland's healthcare system.[4][5] Moreover, the Health Sciences Centre hospital in St. John's was built and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty of Medicine was established during his time in office.[5]
During his tenure in the legislature, Roberts became noted as a "sharp-tongued debater", gaining the nickname "Scrap" from his closest friends.
Second stint
Roberts initially declined a request by Liberal leader
After retiring from politics, Roberts served as chairman of the Board of Regents of Memorial University of Newfoundland from 1997 until his appointment as lieutenant governor in 2002. In that capacity, he pledged to expand the university's infrastructure and innovative programs.[8]
Lieutenant governor
Roberts was appointed lieutenant governor of Newfoundland and Labrador in November 2002 by governor general Adrienne Clarkson, on the advice of prime minister Jean Chrétien.[1] During his tenure, he made Government House more accessible to the public and permitted media access.[3] He also oversaw the inaugural installation of members of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador through his appointment as Chancellor of the order. He became Honorary Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in February 2003, and Honorary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in September that year.[5][9] His term as lieutenant governor was due to expire in 2007, but he was asked by prime minister Stephen Harper in September 2007 to remain in his post for four more months.[10] Roberts' term concluded on February 4, 2008, and he was succeeded by John Crosbie.[1]
Awards and honours
Roberts was appointed a member of the Order of Canada in May 2009 and invested eleven months later in April 2010.[11] This was in recognition of "his contributions as a former cabinet minister and lieutenant governor of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador".[12] He was granted an honorary Doctor of Law by Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2003.[3][8]
Personal life
Roberts was married to Eve Roberts, who was also a lawyer, until his death on January 14, 2022, at their home in the St. John's area, aged 81.[3][5][7] They had two daughters, Catherine and Caroline.[2]
Arms
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See also
- List of people of Newfoundland and Labrador
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Snyder, Lorraine (June 29, 2008). "Edward Moxon Roberts". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Roberts, Hon. Edward Moxon (1940–)". Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage. Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Roberts, Terry (January 14, 2022). "Edward Roberts, former N.L. lieutenant-governor and prominent politician, dead at 81". CBC News. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Smellie, Sarah (January 14, 2022). "Edward Roberts, N.L.'s 11th lieutenant-governor and longtime politician, dies at 81". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Edward Roberts Obituary". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. January 15, 2022. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ a b "Judy Manning afraid to test electorate, says Edward Roberts". CBC News. October 2, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Former NL Lieutenant Governor, Politician Ed Roberts Passes Away at 81". VOCM. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ a b Timmons, Vianne (January 14, 2022). "Mourning Dr. Edward Roberts". St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador: Memorial University of Newfoundland. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Whiffen, Glen (January 14, 2022). "Long-time N.L. politician, historian and former lieutenant-governor Edward Roberts dead at 81". SaltWire Network. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Roberts accepts extended stay as lieutenant-governor". CBC News. October 2, 2014. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "The Honourable Edward Moxon Roberts". The Governor General of Canada. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Governor General announces 60 new appointments to the Order of Canada". July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009.
- ^ "Edward Roberts". The Governor General of Canada. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Canadian Heraldic Authority (Volume IV), Ottawa, 1998