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Pat Binns

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Patrick George Binns
File:Premier binns of PEI.jpg
Premier Pat Binns in Murray Harbour.
Photo taken by Cynthia Dunsford.
32nd Premier of Prince Edward Island
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 27, 1996
Preceded byKeith Milligan
Personal details
Born (1948-10-08) October 8, 1948 (age 76)
Weyburn, Saskatchewan
Political partyProgressive Conservative
SpouseCarol MacMillan

Patrick George Binns, MLA (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.

Career as an MLA and minister

Binns graduated from the University of Alberta in 1971 with a Master of Arts in Community Development while working for the government of Alberta as a community development officer.[1] In 1972, Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council[2] and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI.[citation needed] While working for the P.E.I. government from 1974 to 1978, Mr. Binns helped create and run the Regional Service Centres in the province's east.[2] In 1978, he received the Queen's Silver of Jubilee for Outstanding Public Service.[3]

Binns entered politics in 1978 when he was elected as a MLA for the district of 4th Kings.[1][2] He was subsequently re-elected in 1979 and 1982, serving various portfolios as Minister of Industry (1983), Community Affairs (1980), Fisheries (1982-83), Environment (1979), Labour (1979), Municipal Affairs (1979),[2] Housing[citation needed] and had responsibilities for Economic Development.[citation needed]

From 1984-1988 Binns was the MP for Cardigan, serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries in the Brian Mulroney government.[2] Binns subsequently established an edible bean farm in Hopefield (Island Bean Limited) and operated a management consultant firm, Pat Binns & Associates.[2]

Premiership

First term (1996 to 2000)

Binns entered the provincial PC Party leadership race to succeed Patricia Mella in 1996 and won a convincing first ballot victory on May 5,[2] over Charlottetown businessman Wes MacAleer and O'Leary Veternarian Dr. Gary Morgan. He immediately set about organizing the party for an election expected within months. Binns took over a party with only a single member in the 32 seat Provincial Legislature. Binns campaigned on a platform of strengthening health care and education, encouraging economic development, and energizing communities. A provincial election was planned for late May by Premier Catherine Callbeck, only to be called off by Premier Callbeck at the last minute at a nominating convention on the night of the planned election call. Subsequent media polls showed a surge in popularity for the PC Party. Premier Callbeck resigned shortly afterwards and a leadership convention was held in the fall, electing provincial Cabinet Minister Keith Milligan as Callebeck's successor as Liberal leader and Premier.

Binns' PC Party defeated the Liberal Party led by new Premier Keith Milligan in the general election on November 18, 1996, gathering 18 seats to the Liberals' 8, and the NDP's 1. This was the first provincial general election contested under a new single member, 27 seat system, replacing the previous dual member, 16 seat system. The previous system had been successfully challenged in the courts, triggering an electoral reform process that culminated in the new 27 seat system being approved in the Legislature as a Private Members Bill by Liberal MLA Ross Young, overturning the recommendations of an independent commission in favour of boundaries drawn by elected officials.

Second term (2000 to 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. Both Liberal Party Leader Wayne Carew and NDP Leader Dr. Herb Dickieson were defeated. The second term of the Binns government saw continued economic growth with new business investment,economic diversification, export and tourism growth, and construction of the Atlantic Technology Centre in Charlottetown as a catalyst for development of the burgeoning IT sector. Investments continued in education and health care for extensive school construction and repair, creation of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown and Prince County Hospital in Summerside. The province's first Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act was also passed. During this time Prince Edward Island launched Waste Watch, becoming the first Canadian province to offer waste management services to every home and business resulting in a 65% waste diversion rate and closure of many community landfills. Investments were also made to made expand renewable energy use with the development of the North Cape Wind Farm in West Prince, strengthening Prince Edward Island's credentials as a national leader in environmental sustainability.

Among the major issues during this period included major financial pressures in the farm sector as a result of plant disease, overcapacity and closure of the US border due to trade issues. The tourism industry also experienced a downturn in the face of post-9/11 travel concerns and rising energy prices.

In 2001, Binns' government inaugurated the Disability Support Program intended to provide assistive devices and social integration assistance to Islanders with disabilities. A Human Rights complaint questioned whether the program was "a service in the context of the Prince Edward Island Human Rights Act".[4] In 2003 Binns' government commissioned the Baker Report.[5] The report documented complaints under the DSP. Funding was restored to the DSP in 2007.

Third term (2003 to present)

The 2003 provincial election was held on September 29th, 2003. Infamously, the election date coincided with Hurricane Juan, a category 2 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 (83%).

Voters again placed significant confidence in the PC Party of PEI and elected 23 PCs and 4 opposition Liberals, led by new leader Robert Ghiz who had replaced Interim Leader Ron MacKinley that spring. Under the leadership of Binns the PC Party won it's third consecutive majority government, becoming the first Conservative Premier to accomplish this feat in over a century.

The popularity and resolve of Binns were tested as the government weathered challenges on many fronts.Unpredictability in federal equalization, coupled with rising health care and energy costs and weakness in the primary and tourism sectors, played havoc with provincial finances. Clashes with the federal government over the fiscal imbalance and fisheries management continued for several years. Binns launched a Program Renewal process to streamline duplication and improve delivery of public services. The provincial public service was reduced by several hundred people as services were reorganized and administrative overlap was reduced in the health sector. These measures, along with a steadily growing economy, have led to continued improvement of public finances.

Other reforms in health included expanded used of nurse practitioners and better utilization of ground ambulance services, increased use of technology to improve service delivery, focused strategies for recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and restructuring health care delivery to accommodate the needs of an aging population. Other reforms in health included expanded used of nurse practitioners and better utilization of ground ambulance services, increased use of technology to improve service delivery, focused strategies for recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and restructuring health care delivery to accommodate the needs of an aging population.

In 2004 the Island's largest lobster processing company, Polar Foods, went into receivership. Polar Foods had been created in 1998 through the consolidation of several smaller plants to become more competitive. Polar Foods employed thousands of Islanders and contributed millions to the provincial economy in wages, product purchased from local fishermen, and taxes. The provincial government invested heavily in Polar Foods and assumed control of the company through receivership, eventually leading a rationalization of the lobster processing industry which several rural processing plants closing their doors. Binns received criticism for provincial losses in Polar Foods which could eventually total $31 Million yet the lobster processing industry has subsequently stabilized and a decades long pattern of provincial government investment in the lobster processing industry came to an end as the industry stands on its own feet in the marketplace.

Legacy and criticism

The Binns administration legacy has been defined by record economic growth and diversification with unemployment having dropped by more than half during his tenure.[citation needed] Record investments have been made in health care, education, and community development. Rural criticism centres around the decline in rural schools, health care access and decline in farm businesses.

Binns' government has been reluctant to regulate environmental controls for the agricultural industry.[citation needed] PEI's 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.[citation needed] The conflict between environmental forces and agricultural production has not been resolved.[citation needed]

The Oppostion has criticized Binns and his government on health care,[citation needed] economic development,[citation needed] fiscal management[citation needed] and long term planning.[citation needed] The Opposition has also criticized Binns' policies on rural investment,[citation needed] electoral reform,[citation needed] economic advancement,[citation needed] health care restructuring,[citation needed] and advancements on student achievement in education.[citation needed]

In 2001, Binns’ government inaugurated the Disability Support Program intended to provide assistive devices and social integration assistance to Islanders with disabilities. The DSP grandfathered several older programs.[6] Parents discovered the program was less generous than before.

Thirteen Human Rights complaints were filed with one closed. [7] Twelve Human Rights claims affecting 90 Islanders with disabilities were settled just prior to the 2003 election. [8]

Four alleged cases of Human Rights abuse, based on the changes in 2001 funding for autism supports, were heard in January of 2007 (undecided). [9] [10] [11] [12] (Official references do not disclose the nature of the complaints but media reports do.) [13] [14]

The DSP generated seven complaints to the PEI Privacy Commissioner, 5 reported and 2 reported in the media. [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

Facing DSP client dissatisfaction and an election in 2003 Binns’ government commissioned the Baker Report. [21] The Baker report faults the government in 9 instances for a “corporate culture of cost containment cost avoidance” that “manifested itself in a conservative approach to service delivery…”, “that is largely counterproductive to a new program…”, and “…appears to be systemic.” Baker provides a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the program, including some negative feedback from the disability community about access, coverage, equality and the review process. The report was swept under the rug after Binns’ election win that fall.

In 2006, Binns’ government cut DSP spending. 2006 spending had been $8.7 million but was cut to $8.1 million in the Budget estimates of April 1, 2006 (page 109) whereas all other groups in the department received at least a 5% increase in spending. [22] PEI Disability Alert, an advocacy group, was formed to publicize the cutbacks. [23] [24]

Personal life

He is the father of Rob Binns,[1] CA an executive with Diagnostics Chemicals Limited in Charlottetown, PE;[citation needed] Mark Binns,[1] a Partner at Torque Market Intelligence;[25] Brad Binns,[1] a provincial tax analyst;[citation needed] and Lilly Binns,[1] a business analyst with Dominion Insurance.[citation needed]

Binns has two grandchildren, Kristen and Andrew,[1] and resides with his wife Carol on the family farm in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island: Hon. Pat G. Binns Biography
  2. ^ a b c d e f g The Canadian Encyclopedia: "Binns, Patrick George".
  3. ^ Team Canada 2001: Canadian Provincial Premiers
  4. ^ File #1123-02: Pat Coady on behalf of Jennifer Coady, complainant, and Queens Region Health and Department of Health and Social Services, respondent, The Prince Edward Island Human Rights Panel, heard September 29, 2004.
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ CBC: P.E.I. offers new disability support program[2]
  7. ^ PEI Human Rights Panel: Jennifer Coady v. Dept. of Health and Social Services [3]
  8. ^ CBC:P.E.I. flip-flops on disability age cut-off [4]
  9. ^ PEI Human Rights Commission: Vic Douse v. Government of PEI[5]
  10. ^ Ibid: Carolyn Bateman v. Government of PEI [6]
  11. ^ Ibid: Brad and Dale Wonnacott v. Government of PEI [7]
  12. ^ Ibid: Margaret Murphy v. Government of PEI [8]
  13. ^ The Guardian January 31, 2007: Parents of autistic children allege discrimination under support program, reprinted [9]
  14. ^ CBC January 30, 2007: Disability funding complaint goes to human rights commission[10]
  15. ^ Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Re: Department of Social Services and Seniors Disability Support Program Prince Edward Island Information and Privacy Commissioner: INVESTIGATION REPORT PP-06-004[11]
  16. ^ Ibid: INVESTIGATION REPORT PP-06-001[12]
  17. ^ Ibid: INVESTIGATION REPORT PP-06-002[13]
  18. ^ Ibid: INVESTIGATION REPORT PP-06-005[14]
  19. ^ CBC December 5, 2006 No SIN in support applications, province told[15]
  20. ^ [16]
  21. ^ [17]
  22. ^ [18]
  23. ^ [19]
  24. ^ [20]
  25. ^ Torque Market Intelligence: Mark Binns
Template:Incumbent succession boxTemplate:Incumbent succession boxTemplate:Incumbent succession box
Parliament of Canada
Preceded by Member of Parliament from Cardigan
1984–1988 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Assemblyman for 4th Kings
1978–1984 		Succeeded by
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