A section of highway along the Burin Peninsula Highway is now known as Don Jamieson Highway, in honour of the broadcaster, politician and well-known radio and television personality. The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and members of the Jamieson family, today officially announced the naming of the section of Route 210 between the Trans-Canada Highway and Red Harbour.
In 1945, Mr. Jamieson became the first Newfoundlander to sit in the press gallery of the Parliament of Canada, reporting on the negotiations that led to Canada inviting Newfoundland to join Canadian Confederation. Then, in 1951, he entered into a partnership with local businessman Geoff W. Stirling for a new radio station in St. John’s, and they eventually established the island’s first television station CJON-TV. He became president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters in 1961 and remained in that position for four years.
Mr. Jamieson entered politics by successfully contesting a 1966 by-election as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada. He was re-elected in the 1968 election, and joined the Cabinet of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau as Minister of Defence Production. Then, in 1969, he became Minister of Transport, retaining that portfolio until 1972 when he became Minister of Regional Economic Expansion. In 1976, he became Secretary of State for External Affairs. Mr. Jamieson then moved to provincial politics as the leader of the Liberal Party in the June 1979 provincial election. In 1982, he was appointed Canada’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and remained in that position until 1985. He returned to Newfoundland and Labrador and his broadcasting interests until his passing in 1986.
Quotes
“Don Jamieson is an icon of provincial politics and broadcasting in Newfoundland and Labrador. His invaluable contributions to our province are many and varied, and include the notoriety of being part of the establishment of our first television station. He was a force on both the federal and provincial political scenes as well, always working hard to ensure the issues facing the people of our province were at the forefront. It is only fitting that we honour his tremendous legacy with this section of highway.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“Much like the highway we are naming today, Don Jamieson was a strong force in connecting the people of our province. Whether bringing them together through his broadcasting efforts, or as a Member of Parliament representing southern Newfoundland for 13 years, he is remembered for his tremendous contributions to Newfoundland and Labrador. The naming of the highway in his name is a means of keeping his memory alive.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Since he was first elected to Parliament in 1966, our father worked tirelessly for the betterment of what was then Burin-Burgeo, considered by some to be ‘the forgotten coast.’ Clearly that is no longer the case. But his special affection was always for this property, where he built our first summer cabin and where Kilmory Resort now sits. It is with deep gratitude that we thank the Premier and the government for the singular honour of attaching his name for perpetuity to the road that always brought him to his favourite place in the world.”
The Jamieson Family
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