Ron MacKinley
Encyclopedia
Ronald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley (b. August 24, 1947) is a Prince Edward Island
Liberal politician
, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
.
Born in Charlottetown
, MacKinley is the son of John McKinley and Mildred Sellar. He was raised on the family farm in the rural community of North River which was amalgamated into the town of Cornwall
in 1996. Before running for office, MacKinley worked as a farmer in North River. Apart from owning and operating his farm, he co-owns MacKinley Brothers beef farm with his mother and his son. He is married to Anne Clarkin, and has three children, and two grandchildren.
MacKinley has served as vice-chair of the Elliot River CIC; as a director of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture and of the P.E.I. Farm Centre. In addition to this, he is a former member of the Canadian Horticultural Council Labour Board and Uniform Legislation Board, as well as a former Queens County Chair for the P.E.I. Potato Producers' Association.
MacKinley has enjoyed a long political career. He was first elected to represent his riding in a 1985 by-election
, and has served continuously ever since, for a career of more than 20 years. He is easily the longest-serving member of the current Legislature.
In the 2000 provincial election
, MacKinley was the sole Liberal MLA elected, and also the only Opposition
MLA. As a result of this, he served as Leader of the Opposition
and de facto
Liberal leader until 2003, when he was replaced in both capacities by Robert Ghiz
. MacKinley has served as Opposition Critic for Transportation and Public Works, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture; he was the Chairman of the important Public Accounts Committee
of the legislature, which must always be chaired by a member of the Opposition.
On 12 June 2007, MacKinley assumed office as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, serving under PEI Premier
Robert Ghiz
. His position was renamed to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal during a government reorganization on 13 January 2010.
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...
Liberal politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and a current member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
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....
.
Born in Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
, MacKinley is the son of John McKinley and Mildred Sellar. He was raised on the family farm in the rural community of North River which was amalgamated into the town of Cornwall
Cornwall, Prince Edward Island
Cornwall is a Canadian suburban town located in Queens County, Prince Edward Island.The town is located immediately west of the provincial capital Charlottetown and functions as a bedroom community.-History:...
in 1996. Before running for office, MacKinley worked as a farmer in North River. Apart from owning and operating his farm, he co-owns MacKinley Brothers beef farm with his mother and his son. He is married to Anne Clarkin, and has three children, and two grandchildren.
MacKinley has served as vice-chair of the Elliot River CIC; as a director of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture and of the P.E.I. Farm Centre. In addition to this, he is a former member of the Canadian Horticultural Council Labour Board and Uniform Legislation Board, as well as a former Queens County Chair for the P.E.I. Potato Producers' Association.
MacKinley has enjoyed a long political career. He was first elected to represent his riding in a 1985 by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
, and has served continuously ever since, for a career of more than 20 years. He is easily the longest-serving member of the current Legislature.
In the 2000 provincial election
Prince Edward Island general election, 2000
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island conducted a general election on April 17, 2000 to elect the 27 members of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island....
, MacKinley was the sole Liberal MLA elected, and also the only Opposition
Opposition (parliamentary)
Parliamentary opposition is a form of political opposition to a designated government, particularly in a Westminster-based parliamentary system. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in Parliamentary systems, i.e. meaning the administration or the cabinet rather than the state...
MLA. As a result of this, he served as Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (PEI)
The Leader of the Opposition in Prince Edward Island is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.This list is incomplete...
and de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
Liberal leader until 2003, when he was replaced in both capacities 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...
. MacKinley has served as Opposition Critic for Transportation and Public Works, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Aquaculture; he was the Chairman of the important Public Accounts Committee
Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee is a select committee of the British House of Commons. It is responsible for overseeing government expenditures to ensure they are effective and honest...
of the legislature, which must always be chaired by a member of the Opposition.
On 12 June 2007, MacKinley assumed office as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, serving under PEI Premier
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:...
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...
. His position was renamed to Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal during a government reorganization on 13 January 2010.