Patrick George Binns (born October 8, 1948 in Weyburn, Saskatchewan), is a Canadian politician and the Premier of Prince Edward Island. He has been the leader of the Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party since 1996. November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Keith Milligan (born February 8, 1950) is a Prince Edward Island politician. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Weyburn is a city in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. ... Farmer spreading grasshopper bait in his alfalfa field. ... The PEI Progressive Conservative Party is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. ... October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Weyburn is a city in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples, strength) Official languages English (but legally required to provide some services in French) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 14 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked... A politician is an individual involved in politics to the extent of holding or running for public office. ... The Premier of Prince Edward Island is the first minister for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. ... The PEI Progressive Conservative Party is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

Before the premiership

Binns graduated from the University of Alberta in 1971 with a Masters 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 Wood Islands. Binns subsequently established an edible bean farm in Hopefield (Island Bean Limited) as well as continuing a home-based consulting business. Binns was also appointed to the Canadian Mint in a classic case of Tory porkbarrelling under former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The University of Alberta is situated along the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River in the heart of the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... A masters degree is an academic degree usually awarded for completion of a postgraduate course of one or two years in duration. ... Motto: Fortis et Liber (Latin: Strong and free) Official languages English Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong Premier Ralph Klein (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 28 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 6th (provinces and territories) 661,848 km² 642,317 km² 19... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1972 calendar). ... Green beans Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) used for food or feed. ...

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, Municipal Affairs, Fisheries, Environment, Labour, Housing and had responsibilities for Economic Development. From 1984-1988 Binns was the MP for Cardigan. 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island is one of two parts of the General Assembly, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters of an electoral district to a parliament; in the Westminster system, specifically to the lower house. ... Cardigan in relation to the other PEI ridings Cardigan is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004. ...

First term (1996-2000)

Binns entered the provincial PC Party leadership race to succeed Patricia Mella in 1996 and won by a convincing margin. He immediately set about organizing the party for an election expected within months and was in an extremely favourable position, given that the incumbent three-term Liberal government had used most of its political capital, after being in power for a decade. The Tories under Mella had been reduced to 1 seat in the 32 seat legislature in 1993 and Islanders were clamouring for a more balanced seat count. The PEI Progressive Conservative Party is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. ... This article concerns places that serve as centers of government and politics. ...

Binns' PC Party met the expectations of political observers by beating the Liberals in the general election on November 18, 1996, gathering 18 seats to the Liberal's 8, and the NDP's 1. This was the first general election in Prince Edward Island since entered Confederation that the electoral system had been modified; previously, there were 32 MLAs elected in 16 districts which had a councillor and assemblyman - so parties could put forth a Protestant and Catholic candidates. November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

In addition to voter exhaustion with the Liberal administration, and the electoral district changes, other factors came into play which benefitted Binns' Tory part. In 1994, the Liberal administration faced declining tax revenues and increased expenditures resulting from reductions in federal transfer payments. Pay cuts were imposed on the civil service ranging from 3.75%-7.5%. These measures reduced deficits in subsequent fiscal years and remain in place through a law passed by the provincial legislature. The imposed wage reductions resulted in an enduring bitterness toward the Liberal party by public sector employees; during the 1996 election, the public sector union leaders encouraged members to vote for Binns' PC Party, or the NDP led by Dr. Herb Dickieson. The Island New Democrats, is a social democratic political party in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and a branch of the national New Democratic Party. ... Dr. Herb Dickieson led the Island New Democrats in the 1996 and 2000 provincial elections and was the first and still only member of the NDP, or any third party, to have sat in the Prince Edward Island legislature winning a seat in 1996 and holding it for one term...

Given the abnormally large and inflated public sector in Prince Edward Island (largely explained by economies of scale), the influence of employees voting "en masse" over the wage issue arguably gave Binns' PC government a free ride for its first term, despite having a strong opposition in the legislature. An improving economy, largely resulting from the construction of the Confederation Bridge, as well as record tourism levels - partly due to the newly-discovered ease of access with the bridge, as well as skyrocketing economic growth in the northeastern U.S. and central Canada spilling over into the Maritimes and PEI, saw Binns' party gain increasing acceptance across the Island. ... The Confederation Bridge (, ; French: Pont de la Confédération) is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. ...

Second term (2000-2003)

Binns' won a second mandate in 2000 when his PC Party swept 26 of 27 seats, leaving a single opposition Liberal in the legislature. This was the third time since 1989 that a provincial election had resulted in such an unbalanced seat count compared to the popular vote. In 1989, the governing Liberals won 30 out of 32 seats, largely due to a voter backlash against the federal PC Party, which had announced the closure of CFB Summerside and the abandoning of the province's railway network by Crown corporation CN Rail. In 1993, the Tory presence in the Legislature was reduced by half, when only Progressive Conservative Leader Pat Mella won her seat. This article is about the year 2000. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC) (In French: Parti progressiste-conservateur du Canada) was a Canadian centre-right conservative political party that existed from 1867 to 2003. ... Canadian Forces Base Summerside was a Canadian air force base located in St. ... Canadian National Railways logo or herald (used pre-1960) Network Map of Canadian National Railway The Canadian National Railway (CN; AAR reporting marks CN, CNA, CNIS), known as Canadian National Railways (CNR) between 1918 and 1960, and Canadian National/Canadien National (CN) from 1960 to present, is a Canadian Class...

Political observers noted that Binns' support base in the 1996 election had been largely concentrated in Kings County and part of Queens County, while incumbent premier Keith Milligan and NDP leader Dr. Dickieson were based in western Prince County. Toward the end of Binns' first term, many veteran Liberals from the Ghiz-Callbeck-Milligan administrations who had hung on in opposition opted to retire from politics. Coupled with this, a doctor shortage in rural western Prince County had locals wishing for Dr. Dickieson to give up politics and return to his medical practise. Sensing the momentum was with the Tories for at least a few more years, and given the disarray in the Liberal leadership, Islanders swung their vote in most districts to be on the side of the government in order to curry favour from Charlottetown. 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Kings County is the easternmost county of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Queens County is a county located in central Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Keith Milligan (born February 8, 1950) is a Prince Edward Island politician. ... Prince County is a county located in western Prince Edward Island, Canada. ...

Third term (2003-present)

Binns' joined with most other provincial premiers during 2003 and called a provincial election in advance of an expected 2004 federal election, partly to avoid conflicting with the federal campaign, but also to take advantage of his own record personal popularity. Infamously, the election date September 29, 2003 coincided with Hurricane Juan, a category 1 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 cancelled, 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 (80%). 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hurricane Juan was an Atlantic hurricane that struck Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in September 2003. ...

Islanders, however, were not willing to give a virtually blank mandate as had occurred in 2000, and elected 23 PCs and 4 opposition Liberals to provide a slightly more balanced legislature. The results are still somewhat skewed as the dedicated Liberal-Conservative voters give each party roughly 40% of the vote, with the remaining 20% split toward the winning party, the NDP and others. There was speculation - but absolutely no evidence - that the effects of Juan and the fact that the election date was not moved may have resulted in some votes swinging against the governing Tories.

While the provincial PC Party has enjoyed record popularity under Binns' leadership since 1996 it is believed that voter cynicism is starting to take hold as the Tories' political capital is being increasingly drained. There are two factors which are currently at play: 1) the declining level of personal popularity Binns enjoys province-wide; and 2) the relative inexperience of Liberal leader Robert Ghiz and the contrast of personalities, particularly when compared to Binns - many voters view Mr. Ghiz as the legitimate heir to his family's political legacy. Others though maintain that Binns has led a vague and unfocussed administration that will not be remembered for any positive achievements. 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Robert Ghiz (born January 21, 1974, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island) is a Canadian politician. ...

If Binns serves the maximum of his current term, to September 29, 2008, he will become the second longest serving premier since PEI became a separate colony in 1854. The current holder of the title is Alexander B. Campbell, who served for 12 years. If Binns is re-elected, and serves until January 9, 2009 he will be able to claim the title by a single day. September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years). ... 2008 (MMVIII) will be a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Alexander Bradshaw Campbell (born December 1, 1933) is a former Prince Edward Island politician. ... January 9 is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2009 (MMIX) will be a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On November 19, 2005, Binns announced to the provincial PC party that he intended to stay on to seek a fourth term, quelling closet leadership campaigns which had been underway in advance of the announcement. There had been speculation as to whether Binns would chose to continue as premier into another election, or opt to return to federal politics and run for the Cardigan seat under the federal Conservative party. Binns had also been on record numerous times stating that 10 years was enough time for someone in his position and that there should be a turn-over at that point; this would likely have been his true intentions were it not for an alleged lack of a credible opposition, and more importantly a lack of credible successors in his own party. November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cardigan in relation to the other PEI ridings Cardigan is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004. ... The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ...

A provincial non-binding plebiscite on a proposed mixed-proportional representation model was held on November 28, 2005. Binns had said that even though the plebiscite was non-binding, his government would only consider advancing the electoral reform discussion further should a super-majority of 60% of all voters and 60% of all districts chooses to vote "yes". This generated some controversy, but the proposed reform was in any event resoundingly rejected. A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... Proportional representation, also known as full representation, is an electoral system in which the overall votes are reflected in the overall outcome of the body or bodies of representatives. ... November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Recently, Binns' government announced that it will send the report of the Island's independent Electoral Boundaries Commission for review by a committee of the legislature, and possible alteration of the Commission's recommended electoral districts. Opposition Leader Robert Ghiz has accused the Premier of planning to gerrymander the districts. Robert Ghiz (born January 21, 1974, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island) is a Canadian politician. ... Redrawing electoral districts in this example creates a guaranteed 3-to-1 advantage for Party 1. ...

There had been rumours that, if the Conservative Party of Canada won the 2006 election, but no seats on PEI (as did happen), Stephen Harper would appoint Binns to the federal Cabinet and have him run in a provincewide election for the Island's currently vacant Senate seat. However, he stated that he was not interested in running for the Senate. The Conservative Party of Canada (French: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a right-of-centre political party in Canada, formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in December 2003. ... Although law requires only that the 39th general election must be held by 2009, there is emerging certainty that a federal election to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons will be held in Canada no later than early 2006. ... Stephen Harper (born April 30, 1959) is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. ... A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... The Senate (French: Sénat) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, which also includes the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the House of Commons. ...

Criticism

Binns and his government have been unwavering in their support for rural Prince Edward Island by refusing to consolidate and centralize services; choosing to deliberately maintain costly schools, hospitals, paved roads and other rural infrastructure in the face of a growing trend toward urbanization. In recent years, Binns has also endured criticism for his refusal to regulate increased subdivision of rural agricultural land and resulting "ribbon development" which has been degrading Prince Edward Island's countryside with urban sprawl extending into rural and near-urban areas.

Binns' government has also been reluctant to regulate environmental controls for the agricultural industry. PEI's explosive growth in industrial potato farming practises during the 1990s, following a tripling of french fry manufacturing capacity, has resulted in increased use of agricultural pesticides. Heavier-than-normal summer rain storms during the past decade (some speculate as a result of climate change) have resulted in environmental problems such as fish kills in freshwater streams, mostly due to pesticide run-off and siltation. Such political stances by his government might be reflective of Binns' background in rural economic development and his Red Tory heritage from the government of J. Angus MacLean, as well as his own status as a farmer-premier closely attuned to the PC Party's large rural base of support. Variations in CO2, temperature and dust from the Vostok ice core over the last 400 000 years Climate change refers to the variation in the Earths global climate or regional climates over time. ... Red Tory is an appellation given to a political tradition in Canadas conservative political parties. ... John Angus MacLean (May 15, 1914-2000) was a Prince Edward Island politician and farmer. ...

While Binns' personal popularity remains high, his administration has been criticized by economists and public policy experts for being a "caretaker" government ("governing to be popular") which has not adequately handled strategic issues facing Prince Edward Island; namely, decreases in the provincial tax base coupled in turn with declining federal equalization payments, a continued and increasingly rapid outmigration of young people as a result of increased personal mobility brought about by the Confederation Bridge and cheap airfares to job-rich regions such as Alberta energy projects or Ontario urban centres, higher health care costs for the remaining increasingly-elderly population, an aging and outdated transportation and public services infrastructure, changing trends in the regional and global tourism industries which are increasingly ignoring PEI. The Confederation Bridge (, ; French: Pont de la Confédération) is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. ...

Legacy

Binns may be remembered for running the largest deficits in the history of Canada's smallest province, with the net provincial debt forecast at $1.347 billion (CAD) for FY 2005-2006, a gain of $350 million alone since FY 1998-1999. The Binns administration has endured heavy criticism for sloppy accounting of ministerial expenses, as well as major hits to the provinicial treasury following investments/subsidies for several failed businesses. The growing economic crisis resulted in Binns' government reducing the provincial civil service by over 1,000 employees, largely through attrition and buy-outs, during FY 2004-2005 with further workforce reductions expected in FY 2005-2006; given the Liberals record is tied to the civil service salary roll-back in 1997, it is unlikely Binns' government will follow this route in reducing expenditures.

External link

• Premier of Prince Edward Island - Pat G. Binns

The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Kings County is the easternmost county of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a centrist political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... William Bennett Campbell (born 1943) is a former Prince Edward Island politician and premier. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... Cardigan in relation to the other PEI ridings Cardigan is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 2004. ... The Honourable Lawrence A. MacAulay PC (born September 9, 1946 in St Peters Bay, Prince Edward Island) is a Canadian politician. ... The Liberal Party of Canada (French: Parti libéral du Canada), colloquially known as the Grits (originally Clear Grits), is a Canadian federal political party positioned around the centre of the political spectrum, combining a generally progressive social policy with moderate economics. ... The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island is one of two parts of the General Assembly, the other being the Lieutenant-Governor. ... Murray River-Gaspereaux is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative assembly of Prince Edward Island, Canada. ... Keith Milligan (born February 8, 1950) is a Prince Edward Island politician. ... This is a list of the premiers of [Prince Edward Island] since the office was established (along with responsible government) in 1851 when PEI was a British crown colony. ...

First Ministers of Canada
Stephen Harper (Prime Minister of Canada) Pat Binns (PE) | Lorne Calvert (SK) | Gordon Campbell (BC) | Jean Charest (QC) | Gary Doer (MB) | Dennis Fentie (YT) | Joe Handley (NT) | Ralph Klein (AB) | Bernard Lord (NB) | Rodney MacDonald (NS) | Dalton McGuinty (ON) | Paul Okalik (NU) | Danny Williams (NL)