Alex Campbell (politician)

Alexander Bradshaw Campbell PC OC OPEI (born December 1, 1933) 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. Later the same year he was elected leader of the PEI Liberal Party and, in 1966 took the party to power becoming, at 32, one of the youngest premiers ever elected in Canada. He also held the position of Attorney-General from 1966 until 1969.[1]

Alexander Bradshaw Campbell
23rd Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office
July 28, 1966 – September 18, 1978
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant Governor
Preceded byWalter R. Shaw
Succeeded byW. Bennett Campbell
Leader of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
In office
December 11, 1965 – September 18, 1978
Preceded byAlex W. Matheson
Succeeded byW. Bennett Campbell
MLA (Councillor) for 5th Prince
In office
February 9, 1965 – September 18, 1978
Preceded byLorne Monkley
Succeeded byPeter Pope
Personal details
Born (1933-12-01) December 1, 1933 (age 90)
Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Marilyn Ruth Gilmour
(m. 1961)
RelationsThane A. Campbell (father)
Children3
ResidenceStanley Bridge
Alma materDalhousie University
OccupationLawyer
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetAttorney General (1966–1969)
Minister of Development (1969–1972)
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (1972–1974)
Minister of Justice and Attorney and Advocate General (1974–1978)

Education edit

Campbell attended Dalhousie University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a law degree, and, in 1959, he passed the bar in Prince Edward Island. In 1971 he was recognized as a "Significant Sig" by the Sigma Chi fraternity, of which he is a member.

Political career edit

Campbell's government attempted to strengthen the province's economy and improve social conditions by instituting programs such as assistance to homeowners and homebuilders. His government also revamped the educational system and established the PEI Heritage Foundation. He also started the Land Development Corporation and the PEI Lending Authority to help develop the economy. The government also brought in controls on absentee ownership of land.

Legal career edit

Campbell left politics in 1978 to sit on the province's Supreme Court. Campbell delivered judgment in Government of P.E.I. v Walker in 1992, whose 1995 appeal has been cited in more than fifty subsequent cases.[2]

Personal life edit

A long-time resident of his hometown of Summerside, Campbell was a member of Scouts Canada and later served as a Scout Leader. In his retirement, Campbell now resides in Stanley Bridge during the summer months and is a part-time winter resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, where he has organized a "Prince Edward Island Picnic" at Desoto Park on the second Sunday of March every year since 2000.

Campbell was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2013.[3]

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Alexander Bradshaw Campbell". Premiers Gallery. Government of Prince Edward Island. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
  2. ^ "Walker v. Prince Edward Island, 1995 CanLII 92 (SCC), [1995] 2 SCR 407". The Canadian Legal Information Institute. May 23, 1995.
  3. ^ "Governor General Announces 74 New Appointments to the Order of Canada". Retrieved 29 June 2013.