J. Léonce Bernard
Encyclopedia
Joseph Gérard Léonce Bernard, (born May 23, 1943) is an Acadian
-Canadian
politician, who was the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
, the third Island Acadian to hold this position.
Born in Abram Village, Prince Edward Island
, he received his early education at Evangeline School in Abram Village, becoming a member of the first class to graduate from the school after the completion of its construction, in 1962. He then went on to take courses in bookeeping and accounting while a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force
. Soon after, he married Florence Gallant of Cap-Egmont, located in the same area as Abram-Village. Together, they have four children, Michel, Pierre, Francine, and Charles, as well as two grandchildren.
Before entering politics, Bernard served as office manager with McGowan Motors in Montague
and as general manager of the Evangeline Credit Union in Wellington, Prince Edward Island.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly
, as a member of the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island, representing the district of 3rd Prince
in a by-election
in 1975, and was re-elected in 1978
, 1979
, 1982
, 1986
, and 1989
, serving as a member of the Official Opposition from 1979 to 1986. He was Minister of Industry and Chairman of the P.E.I. Development Agency from 1986 to 1989, and from 1989 to 1991 was Minister of Fisheries and Community Affairs.
Mr. Bernard has always been a strong supporter of the co-operative movement, both provincially and nationally, having served as President of the Conseil de la coopération de l'Î.P.É as well as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Conseil Canadien de la coopération . Among other positions, he also served on the Advisory Committee of the Federal Minister responsible for co-operatives.
He is also very active in community affairs, having held executive positions throughout the years with such organizations as the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities, the French Language School Board, the Wellington Boys&Girls Club and the Evangeline Tourism Association.
He was appointed Lieutenant Governor on May 28, 2001. His term ended in 2006.
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
-Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician, who was the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island
The Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island is the viceregal representative in Prince Edward Island of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her...
, the third Island Acadian to hold this position.
Born in Abram Village, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, he received his early education at Evangeline School in Abram Village, becoming a member of the first class to graduate from the school after the completion of its construction, in 1962. He then went on to take courses in bookeeping and accounting while a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
. Soon after, he married Florence Gallant of Cap-Egmont, located in the same area as Abram-Village. Together, they have four children, Michel, Pierre, Francine, and Charles, as well as two grandchildren.
Before entering politics, Bernard served as office manager with McGowan Motors in Montague
Montague, Prince Edward Island
Montague is a Canadian town and the largest population centre in Kings County, Prince Edward Island.The town straddles the Montague River which is the dividing line between the townships of Lot 52 and Lot 59. The town functions as a regional service centre for a rural population of 20,000...
and as general manager of the Evangeline Credit Union in Wellington, Prince Edward Island.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
, as a member of the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island, representing the district of 3rd Prince
3rd Prince
3rd Prince was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1993.The district comprised the eastern central portion of Prince County....
in a by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
in 1975, and was re-elected in 1978
Prince Edward Island general election, 1978
The Prince Edward Island general election, 1978 was one of the closest on record on PEI. The Liberal Party won its fourth consecutive election by a narrow majority....
, 1979
Prince Edward Island general election, 1979
The Prince Edward Island general election, 1979 saw the election of a new Progressive Conservative government, which was elected with a majority both of seats and votes. The PC were led by Angus MacLean. This also marks the only appearance of the Draft Beer Party. This was the only party to contest...
, 1982
Prince Edward Island general election, 1982
The Prince Edward Island General Election, 1982 saw the re-election of the Progressive Conservative government , with a majority of seats and votes cast. It also marked a low point for the Island New Democrats, who captured 0.7% of the vote, the lowest since they started running candidates in 1974....
, 1986
Prince Edward Island general election, 1986
The Prince Edward Island general election, 1986 saw a change in government from the Progressive Conservatives to the Liberals. It led to the Liberal Leader Joseph A. Ghiz becoming premier. Ghiz, who was Lebanese by birth, was one of the first non-British or French premiers in the history of Canada....
, and 1989
Prince Edward Island general election, 1989
The 1989 Prince Edward Island general election saw a huge victory for Premier Joe Ghiz's Liberal Party. In this election, the Liberals won 60.7% of the popular vote, the highest percentage that a winning party has taken on record in Prince Edward Island. The Progressive Conservatives were able to...
, serving as a member of the Official Opposition from 1979 to 1986. He was Minister of Industry and Chairman of the P.E.I. Development Agency from 1986 to 1989, and from 1989 to 1991 was Minister of Fisheries and Community Affairs.
Mr. Bernard has always been a strong supporter of the co-operative movement, both provincially and nationally, having served as President of the Conseil de la coopération de l'Î.P.É as well as Vice-President and Treasurer of the Conseil Canadien de la coopération . Among other positions, he also served on the Advisory Committee of the Federal Minister responsible for co-operatives.
He is also very active in community affairs, having held executive positions throughout the years with such organizations as the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities, the French Language School Board, the Wellington Boys&Girls Club and the Evangeline Tourism Association.
He was appointed Lieutenant Governor on May 28, 2001. His term ended in 2006.