Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
Encyclopedia
The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island
, Canada
. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada
. The party is led by Robert Ghiz
, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
, and son of Joseph A. Ghiz, a former premier
of the province.
It was created when PEI was a British colony by Reformers who agitated for the system of responsible government
. This was granted by the British crown to the colony in 1851.
George Coles
was its dominant figure in its first decades. While initially supportive of Canadian confederation
, Coles and the Liberals soured on the project, and it wasn't until 1873 that the island joined Canada as a means of relieving the PEI government's severe debts.
The early party supported the abolition of school fees, and a resolution to the land question
that divided the province. The Liberals supported land reform through were state acquisition of large landed estates. These estates were broken up and turned over to tenants and squatters.
The Liberals have been one of only two parties forming government on the island since 1851, the other being the Conservatives
. The Liberals have formed government more often, but not in recent times. In practice, there is little to distinguish the two parties from each other: both lean towards the centre of the political spectrum. The Liberals being slightly to the left and the Conservatives (Tories) slightly to the right.
Traditionally, the Tories have done better among Protestant, voters while Liberals have had more support from Catholics. Politics on the island, however, has never been sectarian, and both parties have always had voters and members from both populations. Indeed, it has been the custom until recently for a Liberal incumbent of one denomination to be opposed by a Tory challenger of the same denomination and vice versa. This had tended to minimise religious sectarianism within the parties. The Liberals have also traditionally enjoyed the support of the province's small Acadian
population concentrated in Prince County at the west end of the island. Conservative support has tended to be greater on the eastern half of the island.
In the past forty years the most significant figures in the party have been Alexander B. Campbell and, later, Joe Ghiz. Liberal governments in the 1960s and 1970s under Campbell supported diversification of the province's agricultural economy. Government incentives were provided to attract manufacturing and tourism. Under Ghiz in the 1980s, the Liberals opposed free trade
between Canada and the United States
, and the federal Tory
government's decision to close a military base on the island. The party's enthusiasm for economic intervention in the economy had waned since the Campbell years.
In addition to winning two general elections under Joseph A. Ghiz, Canada's first provincial premier of non-European ancestry, the PEI Liberal Party won a subsequent election in 1993 under Catherine Callbeck
, the first woman to be elected as a provincial premier in Canada.
After more than ten years in opposition (the last four under leader Robert Ghiz
), the Liberals defeated the Progressive Conservatives (under Pat Binns
) in the 2007 election
.
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...
, Canada
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...
. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
. The party is led by Robert Ghiz
Robert Ghiz
Robert Watson Joseph Ghiz, MLA is a Canadian politician who has been the 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island since 2007...
, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister Jean Chrétien
Jean Chrétien
Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
, and son of Joseph A. Ghiz, a former premier
Premier (Canada)
In Canada, a premier is the head of government of a province or territory. There are currently ten provincial premiers and three territorial premiers in Canada....
of the province.
It was created when PEI was a British colony by Reformers who agitated for the system of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
. This was granted by the British crown to the colony in 1851.
George Coles
George Coles
George Coles was a Canadian politician, being the first Premier of Prince Edward Island, and a Father of Canadian Confederation....
was its dominant figure in its first decades. While initially supportive of Canadian confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
, Coles and the Liberals soured on the project, and it wasn't until 1873 that the island joined Canada as a means of relieving the PEI government's severe debts.
The early party supported the abolition of school fees, and a resolution to the land question
Land Question
The Land Question, as it pertains to the history of Prince Edward Island, Canada, related to the question of the system of ownership of land on the island. Proprietors, the owners of the land parcels on Prince Edward Island, favoured a system of renting to tenants, whilst the tenants preferred a...
that divided the province. The Liberals supported land reform through were state acquisition of large landed estates. These estates were broken up and turned over to tenants and squatters.
The Liberals have been one of only two parties forming government on the island since 1851, the other being the Conservatives
Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party
The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. It and its rival, the Liberals have alternated in power since responsible government was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative...
. The Liberals have formed government more often, but not in recent times. In practice, there is little to distinguish the two parties from each other: both lean towards the centre of the political spectrum. The Liberals being slightly to the left and the Conservatives (Tories) slightly to the right.
Traditionally, the Tories have done better among Protestant, voters while Liberals have had more support from Catholics. Politics on the island, however, has never been sectarian, and both parties have always had voters and members from both populations. Indeed, it has been the custom until recently for a Liberal incumbent of one denomination to be opposed by a Tory challenger of the same denomination and vice versa. This had tended to minimise religious sectarianism within the parties. The Liberals have also traditionally enjoyed the support of the province's small Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
population concentrated in Prince County at the west end of the island. Conservative support has tended to be greater on the eastern half of the island.
In the past forty years the most significant figures in the party have been Alexander B. Campbell and, later, Joe Ghiz. Liberal governments in the 1960s and 1970s under Campbell supported diversification of the province's agricultural economy. Government incentives were provided to attract manufacturing and tourism. Under Ghiz in the 1980s, the Liberals opposed free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
between Canada and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the federal Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
government's decision to close a military base on the island. The party's enthusiasm for economic intervention in the economy had waned since the Campbell years.
In addition to winning two general elections under Joseph A. Ghiz, Canada's first provincial premier of non-European ancestry, the PEI Liberal Party won a subsequent election in 1993 under Catherine Callbeck
Catherine Callbeck
Catherine Sophia Callbeck is a Canadian politician and a current member of the Senate of Canada.She was the 28th Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1993 to 1996, the second female provincial premier in Canadian history, and the first to win a general election Catherine Sophia Callbeck (born July...
, the first woman to be elected as a provincial premier in Canada.
After more than ten years in opposition (the last four under leader Robert Ghiz
Robert Ghiz
Robert Watson Joseph Ghiz, MLA is a Canadian politician who has been the 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island since 2007...
), the Liberals defeated the Progressive Conservatives (under Pat Binns
Pat Binns
Patrick George Binns , is a Canadian diplomat who was named Ambassador to Ireland on August 30, 2007.Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward...
) in the 2007 election
Prince Edward Island general election, 2007
The 63rd Prince Edward Island general election was held on May 28, 2007. It elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island, Canada...
.
Current MLAs
- Paula BiggarPaula BiggarPaula Biggar is a Canadian politician.She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Tyne Valley-Linkletter and is a member of the Liberal Party...
, Tyne Valley-LinkletterTyne Valley-LinkletterTyne Valley-Linkletter is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The district was formerly named Cascumpec-Grand River from 1996 to 2007.-Members:... - Carolyn BertramCarolyn BertramCarolyn Bertram is a Canadian politician.She was first elected to the Prince Edward Island Legislature in September 2003 to represent District 17, Crapaud-Hazel Grove. Ms. Bertram served as Opposition Critic for Education, Tourism, the Status of Women and Community and Cultural Affairs. She also...
, Rustico-Emerald - Richard BrownRichard Brown (Canadian politician)Richard Brown is a Canadian politician.The Honourable Richard Brown was appointed by Premier Robert Ghiz as Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry on January 13, 2009....
, Charlottetown-Victoria Park - Kathleen CaseyKathleen CaseyKathleen Casey is a Canadian politician. Casey was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Charlottetown-Lewis Point and is a member of the Liberal Party...
, Charlottetown-Lewis Point - Doug CurrieDoug CurrieDouglas W. Currie is a Canadian politician.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Charlottetown-Parkdale and is a member of the Liberal Party....
, Charlottetown-Parkdale - Valerie DochertyValerie DochertyValerie E. Docherty is a Canadian politician.She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election...
, Kellys Cross-Cumberland - Cynthia DunsfordCynthia DunsfordCynthia Dunsford is a Canadian politician.A native of Moncton, New Brunswick, she was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election...
, Stratford-Kinlock - Bush DumvilleBush DumvilleStanley Forrest Dumville is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election...
, West Royalty-Springvale - Sonny GallantSonny GallantSonny Gallant is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Evangeline-Miscouche and is a member of the Liberal Party.-External links:*...
, Evangeline-Miscouche - Robert GhizRobert GhizRobert Watson Joseph Ghiz, MLA is a Canadian politician who has been the 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island since 2007...
, Charlottetown-Brighton - Gerard GreenanGerard GreenanGerard Greenan is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Summerside-St. Eleanors and is a member of the Liberal Party. On June 12, 2007, he was sworn in as Attorney General...
, Summerside-St. EleanorsSummerside-St. EleanorsSummerside-St. Eleanors is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Prior to 2007, it was called St... - Robert HendersonRobert Henderson (Canadian politician)Robert Henderson is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of O'Leary-Inverness and is a member of the Liberal Party. He is the son of former MP George Henderson.-External links:*...
, O'Leary-InvernessO'Leary-InvernessO'Leary-Inverness is provincial electoral district #25, for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. It was formerly known as West Point-Bloomfield from 1996 to 2007. It was created in 1996 from parts of 1st Prince and 2nd Prince... - Neil LeClairNeil LeClairNeil J. LeClair is a Canadian politician.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represented the electoral district of Tignish-Palmer Road and is a member of the Liberal Party. He was defeated by Hal Perry in the 2011 election.-External...
, Tignish-Palmer RoadTignish-Palmer RoadTignish-Palmer Road is provincial electoral district #27, for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. It was formerly Tignish-DeBlois from 1996 to 2007.-Members:The riding has elected the following Members of the Legislative Assembly:... - Ron MacKinleyRon MacKinleyRonald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley is a Prince Edward Island Liberal politician, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island....
, Cornwall-Meadowbank - Charlie McGeogheganCharlie McGeogheganCharlie McGeoghegan is a Canadian politician.He graduated from Montague High School in 1992.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in a by-election on October 15, 2007, following the resignation of Pat Binns...
, Belfast-Murray RiverBelfast-Murray RiverBelfast-Murray River is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Created mostly from 4th Kings, part of 5th Kings and a small part of 4th Queens in 1996... - Robert MitchellRobert Mitchell (Prince Edward Island politician)Robert Mitchell is a Canadian politician.Mitchell was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election and represents the electoral district of Charlottetown-Sherwood as a member of the Liberal Party....
, Charlottetown-Sherwood - Pat MurphyPat Murphy (Canadian politician)Pat Murphy is a Canadian politician.Murphy was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election and represents the electoral district of Alberton-Roseville and is a member of the Liberal Party....
, Alberton-RosevilleAlberton-RosevilleAlberton-Roseville is provincial electoral district #26, for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. It was formerly known as Alberton-Miminegash from 1996 to 2007.It includes, among others, the following communities:*Alberton... - Alan McIsaacAlan McIsaacAlan McIsaac is a Canadian politician.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Vernon River-Stratford and is a member of the Liberal Party....
, Vernon River-Stratford - Allan Campbell, Stratford-Kinlock
- Wes SheridanWes SheridanWesley J. Sheridan is a Canadian politician.A native of Shediac, New Brunswick and a graduate of Dartmouth College, Sheridan was an assistant manager at the Malpeque Bay Credit Union prior to entering politics....
, Kensington-Malpeque - Janice SherryJanice SherryJanice Sherry is a Canadian politician.She was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Summerside-Wilmot and is a member of the Liberal Party....
, Summerside-WilmotSummerside-WilmotSummerside-Wilmot is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Formerly named Wilmot-Summerside 1996-2007.-Members:The riding has elected the following Members of the Legislative Assembly:... - Robert VesseyRobert Vessey (Canadian politician)Robert Vessey is a Canadian politician.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election and represents the electoral district of York-Oyster Bed as a member of the Liberal Party....
, York-Oyster BedYork-Oyster BedYork-Oyster Bed is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The district was named Stanhope-East Royalty from 1996 until 2007.-Members:... - Buck WattsBuck WattsFrancis "Buck" Watts is a Canadian politician.He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2007 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Tracadie-Hillsborough Park and is a member of the Liberal Party....
, Tracadie-Hillsborough Park - George Webster, Borden-Kinkora
Liberal leaders
- George ColesGeorge ColesGeorge Coles was a Canadian politician, being the first Premier of Prince Edward Island, and a Father of Canadian Confederation....
- 1851-1869 - Joseph HensleyJoseph HensleyJoseph Hensley was a Prince Edward Island politician. His father, Charles Hensley, had been a member of the legislative council and colonial treasurer....
- 1869 - Robert Haythorne - 1869-1873
- Louis Henry DaviesLouis Henry DaviesSir Louis Henry Davies, was a Prince Edward Island lawyer, businessman and politician, the third Premier...
1876-1879
- Frederick PetersFrederick PetersFrederick Peters was a lawyer and Prince Edward Island politician, who served as the sixth Premier of Prince Edward Island.-Early life and career:Peters was born in Charlottetown and educated at King's College in Nova Scotia...
- 1891-1897 - Alexander Warburton - 1897-1898
- Donald Farquharson - 1898-1901
- Arthur PetersArthur PetersArthur Peters was the ninth Premier of Prince Edward Island.Arthur Peters and his brother Frederick Peters were born in Charlottetown....
- 1901-1908 - Francis Haszard - 1908-1911
- Herbert James PalmerHerbert James PalmerH. James Palmer was the 11th Premier of Prince Edward Island and the son of former colonial Premier Edward Palmer....
- 1911
- John Howatt BellJohn Howatt BellJohn Howatt Bell was a lawyer and politician from Prince Edward Island, and the 14th Premier of Prince Edward Island....
- 1915-1923 - Albert Charles SaundersAlbert Charles SaundersAlbert Charles Saunders was a Canadian politician and jurist from Prince Edward Island.Saunders served as mayor of Summerside for four terms...
- 1923-1930 - Walter Lea - 1930-1936
- Thane Campbell - 1936-1943
- John Walter JonesJohn Walter JonesJohn Walter Jones was a politician and farmer in Prince Edward Island, Canada. An agronomist, he was instrumental in introducing the potato crop to the island, which was to become a staple of the economy...
- 1943-1953 - Alex W. Matheson - 1953-1965
- Alexander B. Campbell - 1965-1978
- William Bennett Campbell - 1978 (Interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
) - William Bennett Campbell - 1978-1981
- Gilbert ClementsGilbert ClementsGilbert Ralph Clements, is a Canadian retired politician and the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island.Born in Victoria Cross, Prince Edward Island, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in 1970 representing 4th Kings. He was re-elected in 1974, 1979,...
- 1981 (Interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
) - Joseph A. Ghiz - 1981-1993
- Catherine CallbeckCatherine CallbeckCatherine Sophia Callbeck is a Canadian politician and a current member of the Senate of Canada.She was the 28th Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1993 to 1996, the second female provincial premier in Canadian history, and the first to win a general election Catherine Sophia Callbeck (born July...
- 1993-1996 - Keith MilliganKeith MilliganKeith Milligan was the 29th Premier of Prince Edward Island, serving for two months in the autumn of 1996. He was educated at Inverness District School, O'Leary Regional High School and the University of PEI, where he obtained Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees. He is married to...
- 1996-1999 - Wayne CarewWayne CarewWayne Carew is a businessman and former Canadian politician in the province of Prince Edward Island.A resident of Summerside, Carew was elected by acclamation as leader of the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island, then the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, in...
- 1999-2000 - Ron MacKinleyRon MacKinleyRonald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley is a Prince Edward Island Liberal politician, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island....
- 2000-2003 (Interim leaderInterim leaderAn interim leader, in Canadian politics, is a party leader appointed by the party's legislative caucus or the party's executive to temporarily act as leader when a gap occurs between the resignation or death of a party leader and the election of a formal successor...
) - Robert GhizRobert GhizRobert Watson Joseph Ghiz, MLA is a Canadian politician who has been the 31st Premier of Prince Edward Island since 2007...
- 2003-present
See also
- List of Prince Edward Island premiers
- List of PEI political parties
- Politics of Prince Edward IslandPolitics of Prince Edward IslandThe politics of Prince Edward Island are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces. The capital of the province of Prince Edward Island is Charlottetown, where reside the premier, provincial legislature, lieutenant-governor and cabinet.-The...
- Prince Edward Island Liberal Party leadership electionsPrince Edward Island Liberal Party leadership electionsThe Prince Edward Island Liberal Party, a political party in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island choses its leadership by an open vote of party members at a convention called by the party executive when there is a vacancy in the leadership . The first convention was held when Alex W...
External links
- Prince Edward Island Liberal Party, official website
- Young Liberals of PEI