Ron MacKinley

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Ronald W. "Ronnie" MacKinley (born 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 since, for a career of more than 20 years. He is 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
19851996
Succeeded by
district abolished
Preceded by
district created
MLA for North River-Rice Point
19962007
Succeeded by
district abolished
Preceded by
district created
MLA for Cornwall-Meadowbank
2007present
Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Paul Connolly
Leader of the Opposition
20002003
Succeeded by
Robert Ghiz
Preceded by
Wayne Carew
PEI Liberal Leader (interim)
20002003
Succeeded by
Robert Ghiz

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Weeks, Blair (2002). Minding the House: A Biographical Guide to Prince Edward Island MLAs. Acorn Press. ISBN 1-894838-01-7. 
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