The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:

Speaker, I rise today to honour the life and legacy of a proud Newfoundlander and Labradorian, a dedicated public servant, and a respected parliamentarian – the Honourable Len Simms.

Len answered the call to public service in 1979, beginning a distinguished career that spanned decades and left a lasting imprint on our province. He served the people of Grand Falls-Windsor and beyond as a Member of the House of Assembly and, in time, would hold many of the most respected roles in public life, including Speaker of this Honourable House, Cabinet Minister, and Leader of the Official Opposition.

No matter the title he carried, Len approached public life with the same steady sense of purpose: to serve people and strengthen the province he loved.

Following his time in elected office, Len continued to give back. Through his leadership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and his involvement in community and charitable organizations, he remained deeply committed to improving the lives of others, particularly those most in need.

Those who knew Len knew that public service was never about recognition. It was about people. It was about community. And above all, it was about family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he often spoke of how his family inspired his lifelong commitment to building a better Newfoundland and Labrador.

Len Simms represented the very best of public life – humility, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the power of service. His contributions helped shape our province, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.

On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and all Members of this Honourable House, I extend our deepest condolences to Len’s family, his friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.