James Lee (Canadian politician)

James Matthew Lee PC (March 29, 1937 – October 10, 2023) was a Canadian politician who was the 26th premier of Prince Edward Island from 1981 to 1986. He was the leader of the PEI Progressive Conservative Party from 1981 to 1987.

The Honourable
James Matthew Lee
PC
26th Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office
November 17, 1981 – May 2, 1986
MonarchElizabeth II
Lieutenant GovernorJoseph Aubin Doiron
Lloyd MacPhail
Preceded byAngus MacLean
Succeeded byJoe Ghiz
Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island
In office
November 7, 1981 – November 13, 1987
Preceded byAngus MacLean
Succeeded byLeone Bagnall (interim)
MLA (Assemblyman) for 5th Queens
In office
February 17, 1975 – April 21, 1986
Preceded byGordon L. Bennett
Succeeded byWayne Cheverie
Personal details
Born
James Matthew Lee

(1937-03-29)March 29, 1937
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
DiedOctober 10, 2023(2023-10-10) (aged 86)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative
Spouse
Patricia Laurie
​
(m. 1960)​
Children3
ResidenceStanhope, Prince Edward Island
Alma materSaint Dunstan's University
OccupationReal estate broker, tourist operator, and businessperson
ProfessionPolitician
CabinetMinister of Tourism, Parks and Conservation (1979–1980)
Minister of Health and Social Services (1980–1981)

Early life and education

Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on March 29, 1937, the son of James Matthew Lee and Catherine Blanchard.[1] Lee was educated at Saint Dunstan's University.

Island MLA

After a successful career in real estate and development, Lee ran in 1974 as a Progressive Conservative but failed to win a seat in the provincial legislature. Lee was elected to the PEI Legislature one year later after winning a by-election in 1975. Lee was re-elected in 1978, 1979 and 1982.[2] Lee ran for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of PEI in 1976 and narrowly lost to future premier J. Angus MacLean. When MacLean was elected Premier in 1979, Lee served in the provincial cabinet as Minister of Social Services and Minister of Tourism, Parks and Conservation from 1979 to 1980 and as Minister of Health and Social Services from 1980 to 1981.[3]

Premier

In 1981 Premier Angus MacLean resigned as PC leader and James M. Lee won the PC leadership convention held to choose MacLean's successor, thus becoming the 26th Premier of Prince Edward Island. Lee led his party to re-election in 1982. In April 1982, he was sworn into the Privy Council of Canada by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[2]

A major accomplishment by the Lee government was the successful negotiation with the federal government to obtain the establishment of a school of veterinary medicine at the University of Prince Edward Island. Lee's government was defeated in the 1986 election which also cost him his seat in the legislature to Wayne Cheverie.[4]

Life after politics

Lee was appointed to be a commissioner on the Canadian Pension Commission and in 1998 became chairman of the PEI Workers' Compensation Board.[4]

Personal life and death

Lee married Patricia Laurie in 1960.[2] He died on October 10, 2023, at the age of 86.[5][6]

References
  1. "Minding the House: a biographical guide to Prince Edward Island MLAs (Volume 2), 1993-2017 (Cassandra Bernard & Sean McQuaid, Eds.)" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  2. "James Matthew Lee". Premiers Gallery. Government of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  3. "Hon. James M. LEE". Canadian Who's Who. University of Toronto. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  4. "Lee, James Matthew". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2009.
  5. MacKay, Cody (October 11, 2023). "Former Prince Edward Island premier Jim Lee dead at 86". CBC News. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  6. "Hon. James M. Lee, P.C., LLB,". Hennessey Cutliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
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