Percy Farwell
Candidate for Vice President
A Gander resident since 1967, Mayor Farwell holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from MUN and Certified Small Business Counsellor designation with the Canadian Institute of Small Business Counsellors.
After a period of time working in the private sector, Mayor Farwell spent 27 years of public service with the Government of NL. In 2017, he concluded his career following 17 years as Regional Director with the department responsible for the province’s regional and economic development agenda.
First elected to Gander’s town council in 1993, Mayor Farwell served 12 years in various positions of municipal leadership before stepping away from municipal politics in 2005 to focus on his professional career and help raise a young family. In 2017, Mayor Farwell returned to the political arena and was elected as Gander’s 9th Mayor. He was subsequently re-elected in 2021 and 2025, continuing over 20 years of municipal service.
Farwell has served as MNL Central Director for the past 5 years. He also serves on the Central Regional Services Board, MNL representative on the board of TRIO Benefits, NL Director of the Atlantic Mayors’ Congress, and Chair of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Gander area of the Central Zone of NL Health Services. He is a longtime executive member of the NL Drama Society and a Past Master of Gander Masonic Lodge.
Mayor Farwell and his wife, Andrea, have raised two sons and share their home with their beloved German Shepherd, Casper.
Campaign Message
Hello colleagues.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the candidacies of those of us seeking election to MNL’s Board of Directors
For those who don’t know me, my name is Percy Farwell. I’m the Mayor of the Town of Gander and I’m seeking election as MNL’s Vice President. A brief biography has been provided separately which may better introduce me to those of you I do not already know.
Throughout my years of municipal involvement I have maintained a commitment to ensuring that my position on issues is evidence based. I operate by establishing respectful relationships and advancing priorities strategically. I believe most things are accomplished through informed, professional, civil discourse and listening to each other. I also acknowledge there are times when a willingness and ability to confront issues respectfully, directly, and firmly is necessary and important and I’ve never shied away from that.
While I have been attending MNL conferences since the 1990’s, in recent years I have taken an interest in devoting time and energy to MNL, an important organization supporting stability, sustainability and advancement of the municipal sector. I have served on MNL’s board for the past 5 years, in the role of Central Director.
I’m running for the office of Vice president of MNL because I think I have the experience, availability, and skill set to tackle the broader leadership role it entails.
I think it is important to have representatives at the executive level of your board who have experience in these circles and skillsets to support the organization’s objectives and the leadership skills required to advance them.
I pride myself on being non-partisan and fair. I will work comfortably with administrations and officials of all political stripes. I believe I have strategic communication skills important to successfully fulfilling the VP role and representing the perspective and voice of MNL and its members on any stage, at any level.
I understand and appreciate the diversity of our membership: from cities, large towns, and urban areas to smaller rural, sometimes quite remote communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Varying issues and varying capacities to address them. MNL has an important role in advocacy and program delivery that supports all members, large and small, and leverages the collective strength we have when we work and speak together.
Of course, I am not unique in these abilities and values. MNL’s membership is full of competent, skilled leaders. Congratulations and thank you to all candidates who have put their names forward.
I look forward to seeing everyone at this years’ conference in Corner Brook. If you are a voting delegate, please exercise your right to vote in our resolutions session and in elections for board positions. It’s a valuable, essential right in any democratic process.
And, of course, I would sincerely appreciate your support for me as your Vice President!
Thanks for considering me. See you soon.