Brian Peckford

“Some day the sun will shine and have not will be no more.” These are the immortal words of Brian Peckford, who served as the third premier of Newfoundland, and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party from 1979 until his retirement in 1989. As one of Newfoundland’s most committed and combative leaders, Mr. Peckford’s clashes with the federal government—to wrest control of the province’s natural resources—resulted in the groundbreaking Atlantic Accord of 1985, his greatest political triumph during the province’s struggle for self-reliance in a post-Confederation era. This memoir begins with Mr. Peckford’s formative years growing up in outport Newfoundland. It gives all due praise to personal heroes of his, from the seasoned fishermen of La Poile and Pilley’s Island to experienced politicos such as Minister William Marshall and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The past, present, and his vision for the future of Newfoundland and Labrador are revealed here, as well as his insights on Constitution-making and the varicoloured political careers of juggernauts like Joey Smallwood, John Crosbie, and René Lévesque.