The Member for Humber West since August 2, 2001, Danny Williams served since 2001 as Progressive Conservative Party Leader and as Opposition Leader prior to winning the government on October 21, 2003. Mr. Williams studied political science and economics at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1969, he received a degree in Arts in Law from Oxford University in England, and returned to Canada to earn a Bachelor of Law degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. He practised law in Newfoundland and Labrador beginning in 1972 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1984. While studying at Dalhousie, Mr. Williams led a consortium of business people seeking Newfoundland and Labrador’s first cable television license. From 1975, he guided Cable Atlantic through acquisitions of systems in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook, Port aux Basques and other centres, to become one of the largest communications companies in Atlantic Canada. He has also been involved in Newfoundland and Labrador’s oil and gas industry as president of offshore oil and gas supply and services company OIS Fisher, and in the hospitality and tourism industry through the operation of three golf courses and one hotel resort. He has been actively involved in hockey as a player and coach, was the founder and president of the St. John’s Junior Hockey League, was instrumental in bringing the St. John’s Maple Leafs AHL team to St. John’s, was a significant driver in making Mile One Stadium, and served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. He has served as Chair of the Canadian Parliamentary Channel, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation, Chair of the Provincial Government Offshore Oil Impact Advisory Council, and a member of charitable organizations such as the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Iris Kirby House, and the Arthritis Society. Mr. Williams is married to Maureen (Power) and has four children - Jillian (spouse of Trevor) Morris, Daniel, Jane and Katie - and two grandchildren - Abbigayle and Gabriel.