Ronald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley (b. August 24, 1947[1]) 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.[1] 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,[1] 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.
| Preceded by Robert Lloyd George MacPhail, Progressive Conservative |
Councillor for 2nd Queens 1985–1996 |
Succeeded by district abolished |
| Preceded by district created |
MLA for North River-Rice Point 1996–2007 |
Succeeded by district abolished |
| Preceded by district created |
MLA for Cornwall-Meadowbank 2007–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
| Preceded by Paul Connolly |
Leader of the Opposition 2000–2003 |
Succeeded by Robert Ghiz |
| Preceded by Wayne Carew |
PEI Liberal Leader (interim) 2000–2003 |
Succeeded by Robert Ghiz |
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