 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.He 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.