Pat Binns
Encyclopedia
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 Island Progressive Conservative Party
.
During his premiership, Binns was known as the province's "affable and unassuming premier."
, and graduated from the University of Alberta
in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts and 1971 with a Master of Arts
in Community Development while working for the government of Alberta
as a community development officer. In 1972, Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI
. While working for the P.E.I. government from 1974 to 1978, Mr. Binns helped create and run the Regional Service Centres in the province's east. In 1978, he received the Queen's Silver of Jubilee for Outstanding Public Service.
Binns entered politics in 1978 when he was elected as a MLA
for the district of 4th Kings
. He was subsequently re-elected in 1979 and 1982, serving various portfolios as Minister of Industry (1983), Community Affairs (1980), Fisheries (1982–83), Environment (1979), Labour (1979), Municipal Affairs (1979),
From 1984 to 1988 Binns was the MP
for Cardigan
, serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries in the Brian Mulroney
government. Binns subsequently established an edible bean
farm in Hopefield (Island Bean Limited) and operated a management consultant firm, Pat Binns & Associates.
and O'Leary Veterinarian Dr. Gary Morgan. He immediately set about organizing the party for an election expected within months. Binns took over a party with only a single member in the 32 seat Provincial Legislature. Binns campaigned on a platform of strengthening health care and education, encouraging economic development, and energizing communities. A provincial election was planned for late May by Premier Catherine Callbeck
, only to be called off by Premier Callbeck at the last minute at a nominating convention on the night of the planned election call. Subsequent media polls showed a surge in popularity for the PC Party. Premier Callbeck resigned shortly afterwards and a leadership convention was held in the fall, electing provincial Cabinet Minister Keith Milligan as Callbeck's successor as Liberal leader and Premier.
Binns' PC Party defeated the Liberal Party led by new Premier Keith Milligan in the general election on November 18, 1996, gathering 18 seats to the Liberals' 8, and the NDP's 1. This was the first provincial general election contested under a new single member, 27 seat system, replacing the previous dual member, 16 seat system.
and NDP Leader Dr. Herb Dickieson
were defeated.
The second term of the Binns government saw continued economic growth with new business investment,economic diversification, export and tourism growth, and construction of the Atlantic Technology Centre in Charlottetown as a catalyst for development of the burgeoning IT sector. Investments continued in education and health care for extensive school construction and repair, creation of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown and Prince County Hospital in Summerside. The province's first Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was also passed. During this time Prince Edward Island launched Waste Watch, becoming the first Canadian province to offer waste management services to every home and business resulting in a 65% waste diversion rate and closure of many community landfills. Investments were also made to made expand renewable energy use with the development of the North Cape Wind Farm in West Prince, strengthening Prince Edward Island's credentials as a national leader in environmental sustainability.
Among the major issues during this period included major financial pressures in the farm sector as a result of plant disease, overcapacity and closure of the US border due to trade issues. The tourism industry also experienced a downturn in the face of post-9/11 travel concerns and rising energy prices.
In 2001, Binns' government inaugurated the Disability Support Program intended to provide assistive devices and social integration assistance to Islanders with disabilities. A Human Rights complaint questioned whether the program was "a service in the context of the Prince Edward Island Human Rights Act". In 2003 Binns' government commissioned the Baker Report. The report documented complaints under the DSP. Funding was restored to the DSP in 2007.
, a category 2 hurricane which swept over the central part of the province during the early morning hours, causing several million dollars in property damage and disrupting electricity service for days. The election date was not delayed or canceled, although the decision to do so rested with the Chief Electoral Officer and not the premier. Despite the weather, there was a customary high voter turnout (83%).
The election resulted in 23 Progressive Conservatives and 4 Liberals being elected, returning the PCs to Government. The Liberals were led by new leader Robert Ghiz
who had replaced Interim Leader Ron MacKinley
that spring. Under the leadership of Binns the PC Party won its third consecutive majority government, becoming the first Conservative Premier to accomplish this feat in over a century.
Binns' popularity was tested as the government weathered challenges on many fronts. Unpredictability in federal equalization, coupled with rising health care and energy costs and weakness in the primary and tourism sectors, put pressure on provincial finances. Clashes with the federal government over the fiscal imbalance and fisheries management continued for several years. Binns launched a Program Renewal process to streamline duplication and improve delivery of public services. The provincial public service was reduced by several hundred people as services were reorganized and administrative overlap was reduced in the health sector, evidenced by the disappearance of doctors in West Prince
. These measures, along with a steadily growing economy, have led to continued improvement of public finances.
Other reforms in health included expanded used of nurse practitioners and better utilization of ground ambulance services, increased use of technology to improve service delivery, focused strategies for recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and restructuring health care delivery to accommodate the needs of an aging population.
Binns' government waited for federal ruling on same-sex marriage before allowing it in Prince Edward Island
in 2004.
Binns sought an unprecedented fourth term majority during the 2007 provincial election
, running on a policy of continued good governance and job creation, pointing to the Island's increased prosperity under his tenure. The Leader of the Official Opposition Robert Ghiz
ran a campaign centred on the theme of change, as well as promising increased funding to health care and post-secondary education while reducing gasoline and property taxes. The Liberal Party won 23 of the 27 seats, reversing the standings in the legislature at the time of dissolution
.
Had Binns won the 2007 election, he would have tied the record set by former premier Alex Campbell
who is the only Prince Edward Island premier to have been elected to four consecutive terms. Binns and his cabinet resigned June 12, 2007, being succeeded by the administration led by Robert Ghiz
.
On August 30, 2007, Binns resigned as the PEI Progressive Conservative Party leader and Opposition leader, upon being named Ambassador of Canada to Ireland
by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
. In 2010 Binns accepted an appointment in Boston, Massachusetts as Canadian Consul General to New England, replacing Neil LeBlanc
.
Binns has three grandchildren, Kristen, Andrew, and Olivia and resides with his wife Carol on the family farm in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island.
|Progressive Conservative
|Pat Binns
|align="right"|1,527
|align="right"|55.15%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
|Charlie McGeoghegan
|align="right"|1,130
|align="right"|40.81%
|align="right"|
|-
|Green
|Ahmon Katz
|align="right"|112
|align="right"|4.04%
|align="right"|
|}
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...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
who was named Ambassador to Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on August 30, 2007.
Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island
Premier of Prince Edward Island
The Premier of Prince Edward Island is the first minister for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive.The current Premier of Prince Edward Island is Robert Ghiz.-See also:...
, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party
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...
.
During his premiership, Binns was known as the province's "affable and unassuming premier."
Before the Premiership
Binns was born in Weyburn, SaskatchewanWeyburn, Saskatchewan
Weyburn is a city in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located on the Souris River southeast of the provincial capital of Regina and is north of the border with the United States. The name is reputedly a corruption of the Scottish "wee burn," referring to a small creek. The city is...
, and graduated from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts and 1971 with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Community Development while working for the government of Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
as a community development officer. In 1972, Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI
Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Stratford is a Canadian suburban town located in central Prince Edward Island.It is situated on a peninsula formed by the Hillsborough River estuary, Charlottetown Harbour, and Hillsborough Bay - a sub-basin of the Northumberland Strait....
. While working for the P.E.I. government from 1974 to 1978, Mr. Binns helped create and run the Regional Service Centres in the province's east. In 1978, he received the Queen's Silver of Jubilee for Outstanding Public Service.
Binns entered politics in 1978 when he was elected as a MLA
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....
for the district of 4th Kings
4th Kings
4th Kings 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 southernmost portion of Kings County....
. He was subsequently re-elected in 1979 and 1982, serving various portfolios as Minister of Industry (1983), Community Affairs (1980), Fisheries (1982–83), Environment (1979), Labour (1979), Municipal Affairs (1979),
From 1984 to 1988 Binns was the MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Cardigan
Cardigan (electoral district)
Cardigan is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968.-Demographics:Ethnic groups: 98.5% White, 1.1% Native Canadian...
, serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries in the Brian Mulroney
Brian Mulroney
Martin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
government. Binns subsequently established an edible bean
Bean
Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae used for human food or animal feed....
farm in Hopefield (Island Bean Limited) and operated a management consultant firm, Pat Binns & Associates.
First term (1996 to 2000)
Binns entered the provincial PC Party leadership race to succeed Patricia Mella in 1996 and won a convincing first ballot victory on May 5 over Charlottetown businessman Wes MacAleerWes MacAleer
Wes MacAleer is a former Canadian politician, who was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1996 to 2007.Educated at Saint Dunstan's University, MacAleer is a former newspaper publisher. He spent 18 years in the Northwest Territories, where he helped introduce cable...
and O'Leary Veterinarian Dr. Gary Morgan. He immediately set about organizing the party for an election expected within months. Binns took over a party with only a single member in the 32 seat Provincial Legislature. Binns campaigned on a platform of strengthening health care and education, encouraging economic development, and energizing communities. A provincial election was planned for late May by Premier 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...
, only to be called off by Premier Callbeck at the last minute at a nominating convention on the night of the planned election call. Subsequent media polls showed a surge in popularity for the PC Party. Premier Callbeck resigned shortly afterwards and a leadership convention was held in the fall, electing provincial Cabinet Minister Keith Milligan as Callbeck's successor as Liberal leader and Premier.
Binns' PC Party defeated the Liberal Party led by new Premier Keith Milligan in the general election on November 18, 1996, gathering 18 seats to the Liberals' 8, and the NDP's 1. This was the first provincial general election contested under a new single member, 27 seat system, replacing the previous dual member, 16 seat system.
Second term (2000 to 2003)
Binns' won a second mandate in 2000 when his PC Party swept 26 of 27 seats, leaving a single opposition Liberal in the legislature. Both Liberal Party Leader Wayne CarewWayne Carew
Wayne 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...
and NDP Leader Dr. Herb Dickieson
Herb Dickieson
Herb Dickieson is a physician and a former educator and politician in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Dickieson is notably the first and currently the only member of the New Democratic Party, or any third party, to have sat in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.Dickieson was raised in...
were defeated.
The second term of the Binns government saw continued economic growth with new business investment,economic diversification, export and tourism growth, and construction of the Atlantic Technology Centre in Charlottetown as a catalyst for development of the burgeoning IT sector. Investments continued in education and health care for extensive school construction and repair, creation of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown and Prince County Hospital in Summerside. The province's first Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was also passed. During this time Prince Edward Island launched Waste Watch, becoming the first Canadian province to offer waste management services to every home and business resulting in a 65% waste diversion rate and closure of many community landfills. Investments were also made to made expand renewable energy use with the development of the North Cape Wind Farm in West Prince, strengthening Prince Edward Island's credentials as a national leader in environmental sustainability.
Among the major issues during this period included major financial pressures in the farm sector as a result of plant disease, overcapacity and closure of the US border due to trade issues. The tourism industry also experienced a downturn in the face of post-9/11 travel concerns and rising energy prices.
In 2001, Binns' government inaugurated the Disability Support Program intended to provide assistive devices and social integration assistance to Islanders with disabilities. A Human Rights complaint questioned whether the program was "a service in the context of the Prince Edward Island Human Rights Act". In 2003 Binns' government commissioned the Baker Report. The report documented complaints under the DSP. Funding was restored to the DSP in 2007.
Third term (2003 to 2007)
The 2003 provincial election was held on September 29, 2003. The election date coincided with Hurricane JuanHurricane Juan
Hurricane Juan was a significant hurricane that struck the southern part of Atlantic Canada in late September 2003. It was the tenth named storm and the sixth hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Juan formed southeast of Bermuda on September 24, 2003 out of a tropical wave that tracked...
, a category 2 hurricane which swept over the central part of the province during the early morning hours, causing several million dollars in property damage and disrupting electricity service for days. The election date was not delayed or canceled, although the decision to do so rested with the Chief Electoral Officer and not the premier. Despite the weather, there was a customary high voter turnout (83%).
The election resulted in 23 Progressive Conservatives and 4 Liberals being elected, returning the PCs to Government. The Liberals were led by new 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...
who had replaced Interim Leader Ron MacKinley
Ron MacKinley
Ronald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley is a Prince Edward Island Liberal politician, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island....
that spring. Under the leadership of Binns the PC Party won its third consecutive majority government, becoming the first Conservative Premier to accomplish this feat in over a century.
Binns' popularity was tested as the government weathered challenges on many fronts. Unpredictability in federal equalization, coupled with rising health care and energy costs and weakness in the primary and tourism sectors, put pressure on provincial finances. Clashes with the federal government over the fiscal imbalance and fisheries management continued for several years. Binns launched a Program Renewal process to streamline duplication and improve delivery of public services. The provincial public service was reduced by several hundred people as services were reorganized and administrative overlap was reduced in the health sector, evidenced by the disappearance of doctors in West Prince
West Prince
West Prince was a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that was represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1896 to 1904.This riding was created in 1892 from parts of Prince County ridings....
. These measures, along with a steadily growing economy, have led to continued improvement of public finances.
Other reforms in health included expanded used of nurse practitioners and better utilization of ground ambulance services, increased use of technology to improve service delivery, focused strategies for recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and restructuring health care delivery to accommodate the needs of an aging population.
Binns' government waited for federal ruling on same-sex marriage before allowing it in Prince Edward Island
Same-sex marriage in Prince Edward Island
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island began the process of updating its laws to recognize same-sex marriage after the passage in the House of Commons of Bill C-38, the Civil Marriage Act, the federal law recognizing same-sex marriage...
in 2004.
Binns sought an unprecedented fourth term majority during the 2007 provincial 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...
, running on a policy of continued good governance and job creation, pointing to the Island's increased prosperity under his tenure. The Leader of the Official Opposition 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...
ran a campaign centred on the theme of change, as well as promising increased funding to health care and post-secondary education while reducing gasoline and property taxes. The Liberal Party won 23 of the 27 seats, reversing the standings in the legislature at the time of dissolution
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
.
Had Binns won the 2007 election, he would have tied the record set by former premier Alex Campbell
Alex Campbell
Alexander Bradshaw Campbell, PC is a former politician of Prince Edward Island, Canada. He is the son of former premier Thane A. Campbell and Cecilia L. Bradshaw. He entered politics by winning a seat in the legislature through a 1965 by-election in 5th Prince...
who is the only Prince Edward Island premier to have been elected to four consecutive terms. Binns and his cabinet resigned June 12, 2007, being succeeded by the administration 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...
.
On August 30, 2007, Binns resigned as the PEI Progressive Conservative Party leader and Opposition leader, upon being named Ambassador of Canada to Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
. In 2010 Binns accepted an appointment in Boston, Massachusetts as Canadian Consul General to New England, replacing Neil LeBlanc
Neil LeBlanc
Neil J. LeBlanc, is a former politician in Nova Scotia, Canada.-Biography:He was born to Alfred LeBlanc and Gladys Bourque.LeBlanc, a graduate of St...
.
Personal life
He is the father of Rob, Mark, Brad, and Lilly Binns,Binns has three grandchildren, Kristen, Andrew, and Olivia and resides with his wife Carol on the family farm in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island.
Electoral record (partial)
|-|Progressive Conservative
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...
|Pat Binns
|align="right"|1,527
|align="right"|55.15%
|align="right"|
|-
|Liberal
Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
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...
|Charlie McGeoghegan
|align="right"|1,130
|align="right"|40.81%
|align="right"|
|-
|Green
|Ahmon Katz
|align="right"|112
|align="right"|4.04%
|align="right"|
|}