Municipal Government History

Although originally proposed in 1832, municipal government status was first conferred in 1888 with a council of five elected councillors and two government appointees. At that time the population was approximately 30,000.

In 1921, the City of St. John's Act incorporated St. John's. Today, St. John's remains the commercial centre and political capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Council

Today, City Council consists of on elected Mayor, Deputy Mayor, five Ward Councillors and four Councillors-at-large. The following outlines how the City was governed from 1888 until today:

1888-1899
August 30, 1888 - General Election Ward 1: John T. Carnell Ward 2: Francis St. John Ward 3: Moses Monroe Ward 4: Michael Power Ward 5: William Morison Government appointees to Council: James Goodfellow, Chairman James P. Fox. The Honorable J. Harris was appointed to Council in 1890, succeeding James P. Fox who died while in office. The 1888 general election was the first municipal election in St. John's and the first election under the Ballot Act. January 23, 1892 - General Election Ward 1: John T. Carnell Ward 2: John T. Southcott Ward 3: James Goodfellow Ward 4: Michael Power Ward 5: Donald Morison Government appointees to Council: Edward W. Bennett Thomas Mitchell February 26, 1892: Thomas Mitchell was elected Chairman. December 30, 1893: Chairman Thomas Mitchell was replaced by Thomas J. Edens. 1894 - By-Election The Honorable John Harris was elected Ward 1 Councillor by acclamation following the death of John T. Carnell in August 1893. 1894: James J. Callahan was appointed to Council. January 4, 1894: Councillor Michael Power was elected Chairman. January 23, 1896 - General Election Ward 1: John Harris Ward 2: Thomas Keating Ward 3: John V. O'Dea Ward 4: Michael Power Ward 5: James T. Callahan Government appointees to Council: Thomas J. Edens R.A. McCoubrey Council held its first meeting on February 7, 1896. Michael Power was elected Chairman. Thomas J. Edens resigned on November 18, 1896, and was replaced by M.K. Greene. 1898 to 1902: St. John's was governed by Commission. Three members were appointed by Government: H.C. Burchell, T.M. White and J.V. O'Dea. 1899: T.M. White resigned, succeeded by P.C. O'Driscoll.
1900-1924
1900: H.F. Bradshaw appointed to the Commission, succeeding P.C. O'Driscoll. 1902: Abolishment of the Commission. Legislation was passed providing for an elected Council consisting of a mayor and six councillors, all elected at large. Elections were to be held in June of every fourth year from 1902 onwards. June 19, 1902 - General Election Mayor: George Shea Councillors: John R. Bennett William J. Ellis Charles F. Muir John Harris John Anderson Michael Kennedy John R. Bennett received the highest vote among the six elected councillors and was referred to as Senior Councillor. As such he presided over Council Meetings in the absence of the Mayor. June 26, 1906 - General Election Mayor: Michael P. Gibbs Councillors: William J. Ellis Michael Kennedy John Carew Samuel G. Collier John Cowan James T. Martin Between September 3-10, 1906, John Carew died while in office and no by-election was held. July 1908: The first civic strike was held by sanitary workers. June 27, 1910 - General Election Mayor: William J. Ellis Councillors: James Martin John Coaker James J. Channing Charles R. Ryan James J. Mullaly Martin W. Myrick August 9, 1911: Council opened the town's first civic-owned offices after having purchased the Seaman's Home in late 1910. July 1, 1914: Commission system of government replaced elected form of municipal government. Appointments: John Anderson Charles P. Ayre F. W. Bradshaw William Ellis William Gilbert Gosling John Harris Edward M. Jackman James McGrath Francis MacNamara Issac C. Morris James J. Mullaly J. W. Withers July 2, 1914: First meeting of Commission. William Gosling elected as chairman, defeating William Ellis who then resigned. June 29, 1916 - General Election Mayor: William G. Gosling Councillors: Issac C. Morris Dr. James S. Tait Henry J. Brownrigg James J. Mullaly Charles P. Ayre Nicholas J. Vinnicombe June 1920 to June 1921 St. John's was run by Commission appointed by the Governor-in-Council. Appointments made July 5, 1920: W. G. Gosling Charles P. Ayre Issac Morris James Mullaly Nicholas J. Vinnicombe July 1 to December 31, 1921 The old Commission ended its term of office on June 30, 1921, and the new Commission took office on July 26, 1921, leaving St. John's without any local government for nearly a month. Appointments: Issac Morris, Chairman Samuel G. Collier W. H. Jackman James J. Mullaly Samuel H. Peet Nicholas J. Vinnicombe August 2, 1921: Civic legislation known as the City Charter passed both Houses of the Legislature. This document was worked on extensively by William G. Gosling and laid out the rights and responsibilities of the council and its officials. Women received the right to vote because of the charter. December 15, 1921 - General Election Mayor: Tasker Cook Councillors: James T. Martin, elected Deputy Mayor by Council Philip E. Outerbridge Nicholas J. Vinnicombe Samuel G. Collier Charles W. Ryan Reginald Dowden The new position of Deputy Mayor was determined by a Council vote.
1925-1944
December 8, 1925 - General Election Mayor: Tasker Cook - acclamation Councillors: Joseph Fitzgibbon, elected Deputy Mayor by Council Dr. Archibald C. Tait William E. Brophy Philip E. Outerbridge Charles W. Ryan James T. Martin This was first election in which women were allowed to run for Council. Three women ran unsuccessfully. Julia Salter Earle came within eleven votes of claiming the sixth and final Council seat. 1927: Appointment of the City's first Town Planning Commission. December 9, 1929 - General Election Mayor: Charles J. Howlett Councillors: Charles W. Ryan Andrew G. Carnell, elected Deputy Mayor by Council John P. Kelly Jonas C. Barter James R. Chalker Ernest St. Clair Churchill March 31, 1932: Charles J. Howlett died. Andrew Carnell led the administration. December 1933 - General Election Mayor: Andrew Carnell Councillors: James R. Chalker, elected Deputy Mayor by Council Charles W. Ryan John P. Kelly Philip E. Outerbridge Michael F. Caul James J. Spratt April 8, 1935 - By-Election John Williams won the seat left vacant by Philip E. Outerbridge’s resignation. December 16, 1937 - General Election Mayor: Andrew G. Carnell Councillors: James R. Chalker, elected Deputy Mayor by Council James J. Spratt John P. Kelly John M. Tobin Kenneth Ruby John T. Meaney May 1, 1941: Kenneth Ruby died while in office. December 15, 1941 - General Election Mayor: Andrew G. Carnell Councillors: Eric Cook, elected Deputy Mayor by Council Edward Lawrence Oliver L. Vardy James J. Spratt John P. Kelly John T. Meaney 1943: Edward Lawrence and John T. Meaney died while in office. Their seats were filled by A. M. Fraser and H.G.R. Mews in a by-election later that same year.
1945-1964
November 13, 1945 - General Election Mayor: Andrew G. Carnell Councillors: James J. Spratt, Deputy Mayor Harry G. R. Mews Oliver L. Vardy John P. Kelly William P. Ryan Eric Jerrett A tradition had evolved whereby the Deputy Mayor's position was given to the Councillor finishing first in the polls. In 1948, William P. Ryan died while in office. John P. Kelly died in September 1949. November 8, 1949 - General Election Harry G. Mews Councillors: George Nightingale, Deputy Mayor James D. Higgins Joseph Fitzgibbon Eric Jerrett James Tucker Leo A. Earle The new Council was sworn in on January 3, 1950. January 7, 1950: Ronald Martin was appointed City Engineer. March 9, 1950: Edward Foran was appointed Assistant City Clerk. June 1, 1950 - By-Election Won by Douglas Oilphant. November 10, 1953 - General Election Mayor: Harry G. R. Mews Councillors: James D. Higgins, Deputy Mayor George Nightingale Joseph Fitzgibbon James Tucker Leo A. Earle W. Gordon Warren November 12, 1957 - General Election Mayor: Harry G. R. Mews Councillors: James D. Higgins, Deputy Mayor Joseph Fitzgibbon James Tucker George Nightingale Geoffrey C. Carnell Alec Henley James Tucker resigned from Council on April 30, 1958. Joseph Fitzgibbon died on December 17, 1960 and no by-election was held. June 23, 1958 - By-Election Robert F. McLeod won the seat left vacant by the resignation of James Tucker. November 14, 1961 - General Election Mayor: Harry G. R. Mews Deputy Mayor: William G. Adams Councillors: James D. Higgins Geoffrey C. Carnell Alec G. Henley Walter C. Carter James M. Fagan October 1963: James D. Higgins was appointed to the Supreme Court and resigned. November 25, 1963 - By-Election Gerald A. Wiggins was elected.
1965-1984
November 16, 1965 - General Election Mayor: William G. Adams Deputy Mayor: John Crosbie Councillors: Walter Carter James Fagan Geoffrey Carnell Thomas Doyle Jim Browne July 1966: John Crosbie resigned from council. November 15, 1966 - By-Election Clarence L. Englebrecht (Bob Lewis) elected as Councillor. A by-election was called because of John Crosbie’s resignation from Council. November 18, 1969 - General Election Mayor: William G. Adams Deputy Mayor: Leonard Stirling Councillors: Clarence Englebrecht (Bob Lewis) James Fagan Brian E. Higgins Dorothy Wyatt Jim Browne Albert Andrews Geoffrey Carnell Dorothy Wyatt was the first woman elected to Council. November 13, 1973 - General Election Mayor: Dorothy Wyatt Deputy Mayor: John J. Murphy Councillors: Miller Ayre David G. Riche David Barrett James Fagan Brian E. Higgins Eric Gullage Ray O'Neill Dorothy Wyatt became St. John's first female mayor. October 26, 1973: Eric Gullage resigned from Council. November 8, 1977 - General Election Mayor: Dorothy Wyatt Deputy Mayor: Ray O'Neill Councillors: Suzanne (Shannie) Duff Brian E. Higgins James Fagan David Barrett Frances Innis Hugh Baird Andrew Wells Council took office on December 1, 1977. Previous councils had taken office on January 1st of the year following the election. June 24, 1979: First St. John's Day celebrations were held on June 24, 1979. September 25, 1979 - By-Election Thomas Osbourne won the by-election called due to the death of Brian Higgins. November 3, 1981 - General Election Mayor: John J. Murphy Councillors at large: Suzanne Duff, Deputy Mayor James Fagan David Barrett Ronald Pumphrey Ward 1: Andrew Wells Ward 2: John Tessier Ward 3: Bruce Tilley Ward 4: Thomas Osborne Council took office on December 1, 1981. September 1984: Ronald Pumphrey resigned from Council.
1985-2000
November 12, 1985 - General Election Mayor: John J. Murphy Councillors at Large: Suzanne Duff, Deputy Mayor Raymond O'Neill Dorothy Wyatt David Barrett Ward 1: Andy Wells Ward 2: Eric Gullage Ward 3: Bruce Tilley Ward 4: Thomas Osborne May 24, 1989: Eric Gullage resigned from Council. November 13, 1990 - General Election Mayor: Suzanne Duff Councillors at Large: Andrew Wells, Deputy Mayor Dorothy Wyatt Raymond O'Neill Basil Jamieson Ward 1: Wendy Williams Ward 2: Douglas Atkinson Ward 3: John Whalen Ward 4: Gerard Colbert Council took office on December 1, 1990. September 28, 1992: Douglas Atkinson resigned. February 25, 1992 - By-Election Ward 5: Paul J. Reynolds Ward 6: John Dinn Wards 5 and 6 were added after the towns of Wedgewood Park and Goulds amalgamated with St. John's. November 24, 1992 - By-Election By-Election called due to the resignation of Douglas Atkinson. Bruce Tilley was elected in Ward 2 and sworn in on December 7, 1992. November 9, 1993 - General Election Mayor: John J. Murphy Councillors at Large: Andrew Wells, Deputy Mayor Dorothy Wyatt Jeffrey Brace Marie White Ray O'Neill Ward 1: Sean Hanrahan Ward 2: Shawn Skinner Ward 3: Keith Coombs Ward 4: Gerry Colbert Ward 5: John Dinn September 30, 1997 - General Election Mayor: Andrew Wells Deputy Mayor: Marie White Ward 1: Sean Hanrahan Ward 2: Frank Galgay Ward 3: Keith Coombs Ward 4: Gerry Colbert Ward 5: John Dinn Councillors-at-Large: Peter Miller Shannie Duff Dennis O'Keefe Dorothy Wyatt New Council sworn in on October 14, 1997. Deputy Mayor Marie White was sworn in as Acting Mayor due to a recount of the votes for Mayor. Andy Wells sworn in as Mayor on October 31, 1997.
2001-2025
September 25, 2001 - General Election Mayor: Andy Wells Deputy Mayor: Gerry Colbert Ward 1: Art Puddister Ward 2: Frank Galgay Ward 3: Keith Coombs Ward 4: Kevin Breen Ward 5: John Dinn Councillors at Large: Dennis O'Keefe Shannie Duff Paul Sears Dorothy Wyatt (elected after her death) New Council sworn in on October 9, 2001. Dorothy Wyatt was the first candidate to be elected posthumously resulting in a by-election to be held later in the year. November 27, 2001 - By-Election Sandy Hickman was elected Councillor at Large. New council sworn in on December 3, 2001. September 27, 2005 - General Election Mayor: Andy Wells Deputy Mayor: Dennis O'Keefe Ward 1: Art Puddister Ward 2: Frank Galgay Ward 3: Keith Coombs Ward 4: Ron Ellsworth Ward 5: Wally Collins Councillors at Large: Gerry Colbert Shannie Duff Tom Hann Sandy Hickman New Council sworn in on October 11, 2005. March 3, 2008 Mayor Andy Wells became Chairperson of the Public Utilities Board and resigned. March 3 to April 18, 2008 Deputy Mayor Dennis O'Keefe assumed the role of Acting Mayor. April 18 to June 9, 2008 Councillor Shannie Duff assumed the role of Acting Mayor. June 3, 2008 - By-Election Mayor: Dennis O’Keefe Deputy Mayor: Ron Ellsworth Ward 4: Debbie Hanlon New Council members sworn in on June 9, 2008. June 9 to September 2009 Council for the period June 9, 2008, to September 2009. Result of the June 3, 2008, By-Election Mayor: Dennis O’Keefe Deputy Mayor: Ron Ellsworth Ward 1: Art Puddister Ward 2: Frank Galgay Ward 3: Keith Coombs Ward 4: Debbie Hanlon Ward 5: Wally Collins Councillors at Large: Gerry Colbert Shannie Duff Tom Hann Sandy Hickman September 29, 2009 - General Election Mayor: Dennis O’Keefe Deputy Mayor: Shannie Duff Ward 1: Danny Breen Ward 2: Frank Galgay Ward 3: Bruce Tilley Ward 4: Debbie Hanlon Ward 5: Wally Collins Councillors at Large: Gerry Colbert Tom Hann Sandy Hickman Sheilagh O’Leary New Council sworn in on October 13, 2009. September 24, 2013 - General Election Mayor: Dennis O’Keefe Deputy Mayor: Ron Ellsworth Ward 1: Danny Breen Ward 2: Jonathan Galgay Ward 3: Bruce Tilley Ward 4: Bernard Davis Ward 5: Wally Collins Councillors at Large: Tom Hann Sandy Hickman Dave Lane Art Puddister New Council sworn in on October 7, 2013. February 23, 2016 - By-Election Sheilagh O’Leary elected Ward 4 Councillor. September 26, 2017 - General Election Mayor: Danny Breen Deputy Mayor: Sheilagh O’Leary Ward 1: Deanne Stapleton Ward 2: Hope Jamieson Ward 3: Jamie Korab Ward 4: Ian Froude Ward 5: Wally Collins Councillors at Large: Sandy Hickman Dave Lane Debbie Hanlon Maggie Burton New Council sworn in on October 10, 2017. October 20, 2020 - By-Election Shawn Skinner elected Ward 2 Councillor and sworn in on October 26, 2020. September 28, 2021 - General Election Mayor: Danny Breen Deputy Mayor: Sheilagh O’Leary Ward 1: Jill Bruce Ward 2: Ophelia Ravencroft Ward 3: Jamie Korab Ward 4: Ian Froude Ward 5: Carl Ridgeley Councillors at Large: Sandy Hickman Ron Ellsworth Debbie Hanlon Maggie Burton New Council sworn in on October 12, 2021. March 12, 2024 - By-Election Tom Davis elected Ward 4 Councillor and sworn in on March 19, 2024. November 5, 2024 - By-Election Greg Noseworthy elected Ward 3 Councillor and sworn in on November 12, 2024. October 8, 2025 - General Election Mayor: Danny Breen Deputy Mayor: Ron Ellsworth Ward 1: Jill Bruce Ward 2: Brenda Halley Ward 3: Greg Noseworthy Ward 4: Tom Davis Ward 5: Donnie Earle Councillors at Large: Sandy Hickman Kate Cadigan Lynn Hammond Nikita Ryall New Council sworn in on October 14, 2025.

Past election from 1997 to 2025 results complete with vote counts can be viewed on the City of St. John’s website: https://www.stjohns.ca/en/city-hall/past-election-results.aspx

City Administration

Throughout the City's history, a number of individuals have served in key roles.

City Clerks

1895-1899 P.W. Kelly, Secretary-Treasurer
1899-1902 M.K. Greene, Secretary-Treasurer
1902-1920 I.J. Slattery, Secretary-Treasurer
1920-1952 J.J. Mahoney, City Clerk
1952-1970 E.B. Foran, City Clerk
1970-1990 R.J. Greene, City Clerk
1990-2002 Damian Ryan, City Clerk
2002-2014 Neil Martin, City Clerk
2014-2021 Elaine Henley, City Clerk
2021- 2024 Karen Chafe, City Clerk
2024-present Theresa Walsh

City Managers

As early as 1949, it was recommended that City Council appoint a City Manager to coordinate the overall activities of the municipal government. However, it was not until 1976 that the Office of the City Manager was created. Prior to this appointment Council provided administrative supervision and coordination for the entire organization, with department heads reporting directly to council. The Office of the City Manager was designed to take over this role so Council could concentrate on the function of developing municipal policy.

The City Manager was designated responsibility of integrating city staff and operating services; budgetary planning and control; and the development of uniform personnel policies and procedures. All departments would report to the City Manager, who would then act as an advisor to Council.

1976-1979 E.P Henley
1979-1983 Neil Cohoon
1983-1992 Frank Power
1993-1995 William Mann

In 1995, Council decided to change to a commissioner system, upon the recommendation of the Doane-Raymond Report released in 1992. The position of City Manager was replaced by a Chief Commissioner who oversaw three commissioners chosen from among the department heads. Each department reported to a specific commissioner, and those commissioners reported to and advised Council.

The position of Chief Commissioner was held by one person:

1995-2010 Ron Penney

Ron Penney also held the position of City Solicitor during this time.

In 2010 the system of Chief Commissioner was abandoned and replaced by the City Manager system which continues today.

2011-2014 Robert Smart
2014-2016 Neil Martin
2016-present Kevin Breen

City Engineers

1888-1890 Charles J. Harvey
1890-1891 F.H. Balfour (acting Engineer)
1891-1892 R.M. Pratt
1892-1893 A.J. Waghorne (acting Engineer)
1893-1894 Samuel Chapman
1894-1896 R.M Pratt
1896-1920 John Ryan
1921-1944 William P. Ryan
1944-1949 Grant Jack
1949-1959 Ronald Martin
1959-1963 Duncan Sharpe
1963-1979 Eric Mercer
1979-1992 James J Finn
1992-2010 Art Cheeseman
2010-2013 Walt Mills
2013-2019 Brendan O’Connell
2019-present Scott Winsor

Municipal Services

City services have come a long way in the last century.

Did you know, for example, that by the turn of the century, electric street cars provided public transit downtown along Water Street, Adelaide Street, Queens Road, Rawlins Cross and Military Road? Gasoline powered buses replaced the street cars in 1948.

Although there were electric street lights on the main roads and a public water supply, many residents registered complaints about inadequate sewage disposal facilities.

Under the Streets

The first sewage disposal systems in St. John's were put in place beginning in the late nineteenth century. Sewage discharge outfalls went to St. John's harbour. Neighbouring communities followed suit when installing their sewage disposal systems.

By the early 2000s the St. John's Harbour Clean-up project was in place. The plan was to treat wastewater before discharging it into the harbour. The Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Facility opened on the south side of St. John's harbour in 2009.

Archaeology and the Harbour Interceptor Sewer Project

The Harbour Interceptor sewer project installed two kilometres of sanitary sewer pipe under the historic downtown streets St. John's. This massive project required an Environmental Assessment. Part of the assessment was a historic resources (archaeological) study. The City hired Gerald Penney Associates Limited to conduct it.

Since 2004 they have had more than 10 archaeology permits and more than 60 archaeology sites in the area of the sewer installation. Many of these findings are outlined in a public presentation first given in February 2010.