Earle McCurdy (born 1950) is a former leader of the Newfoundland and Labrador New Democratic Party and a former labour leader in Newfoundland and Labrador. He was president of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union from 1993 to 2014, succeeding founding president Richard Cashin. Previously, McCurdy was the union's secretary-treasurer for 13 years, from 1980 to 1993.

Background

McCurdy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1950, and grew up in St. John's, Newfoundland where he attended Prince of Wales Collegiate. He is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1972, and worked as a reporter for The St. John's Evening Telegram in the 1970s, covering the labour beat, before becoming involved with the fisheries' union. His most notable time as union president was during Canada's fishing dispute with the European Union, known as the Turbot War.

NDP Leader

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