Patrick George Binns was born on October 8,1948 and is a Canadian diplomat, the 30th premier of Prince Edward Island from 1996 to 2007 and Canadian Ambassador to Ireland from 2007 to 2010.
20 Facts About Pat Binns
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Pat Binns served as Canada's Consul General in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Pat Binns was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and graduated from the University of Alberta in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts.
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In 1972, Pat Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI.
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Pat Binns entered politics in 1978 when he was elected as a MLA for the district of 4th Kings.
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Pat Binns was re-elected in 1979 and 1982, serving various portfolios as Minister of Industry, Community Affairs, Fisheries, Environment, Labour, and Municipal Affairs under Premier James Lee.
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From 1984 to 1988, Pat Binns was the MP for Cardigan, serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries in the Brian Mulroney government.
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Pat Binns immediately set about organizing the party for an election expected within months.
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Pat Binns took over a party with only a single member in the 32 seat Provincial Legislature.
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Pat Binns campaigned on a platform of strengthening health care and education, encouraging economic development, and energizing communities.
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Pat Binns' won a second mandate in 2000 when his PC Party swept 26 of 27 seats, leaving a single opposition Liberal in the legislature.
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The second term of the Pat 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.
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In 2001, Pat Binns' government inaugurated the Disability Support Program intended to provide assistive devices and social integration assistance to Islanders with disabilities.
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Pat Binns' popularity was tested as the government weathered challenges on many fronts.
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Pat Binns launched a Program Renewal process to streamline duplication and improve delivery of public services.
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Pat Binns' government waited for federal ruling on same-sex marriage before allowing it in Prince Edward Island in 2004.
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Pat Binns sought an unprecedented fourth term majority during the 2007 provincial election, running on a policy of continued good governance and job creation, pointing to the Island's increased prosperity under his tenure.
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In 2010 Pat Binns accepted an appointment in Boston, Massachusetts, as Canadian Consul General to New England, replacing Neil LeBlanc.
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Pat Binns is the father of Rob, Mark, Brad, and Lilly Binns.
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Pat Binns has six grandchildren, Kristen, Andrew, Olivia, Jackson, Elodie and Lachlan and resides with his wife Carol on the family farm in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island.