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Thomas Gerald Rideout (born June 25, 1948) is a politician and former Premier of Newfoundland.

Born in Fleur de Lys, Newfoundland, Rideout was first elected to the provincial House of Assembly in the 1975 general election as a Liberal but left the party in 1980 to join the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Brian Peckford in its fight with Ottawa for control of offshore mineral resources. Rideout became minister of culture, recreation and youth in 1984 and became minister of fisheries in 1985. With Peckford's retirement from politics in 1989, Rideout was chosen Tory party leader and thus became premier of Newfoundland. One month later his party received a higher percentage of votes in the general election, but was defeated by Liberal Clyde Wells, who's party was able to win more seats. Rideout remained Leader of the Opposition until 1991 when he left politics for a federal appointment as a member of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.

Rideout attempted a political comeback in the 1993 federal election, running as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Gander—Grand Falls, but was defeated by Liberal incumbent George Baker.

In 1997, he obtained his law degree, and was called to the Newfoundland bar in 1998.

In 1999, he re-entered public life, and was elected as a Progressive Conservative Member of the House of Assembly for the district of Lewisporte. He was re-elected in 2003, when the PC Party formed the government. He was appointed Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister of Works, Services & Transportation (the name of which was later changed to Transportation and Works). In addition to these portfolios, Rideout served as acting Minister of Health and Community Services from September 27 to October 1, 2004. On November 8, 2005, Rideout was appointed Minister of Fisheries and Deputy Premier.

On May 21, 2008, Rideout tendered his resignation as Deputy Premier, Government House Leader and Minister of Fisheries in the provincial government, in a dispute with the Premier's Office over road funding in his electoral district of Baie Verte-Springdale.^[1] On June 30, 2008, Rideout resigned from politics altogether, tendering his resignation as a Member of the House of Assembly.^[2]

Preceded by Brian Peckford

Premier of Newfoundland 1989

Succeeded by Clyde Wells

[edit] References

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