Bond, Sir Robert

Bond, Sir Robert, 1857–1927, Newfoundland political leader. He was educated in England and later entered Newfoundland politics. In 1890, he negotiated a reciprocity agreement between Newfoundland and the United States, but protests from the rest of Canada prevented its ratification. After he became prime minister in 1900, he repurchased the railways and docks from private interests. His ministry was marked by attempts to diversify Newfoundland's economy away from fishing and by disputes over U.S. fishing in provincial waters. Bond's government fell in 1909, and his influence quickly declined. He was knighted in 1901.