Aubin-Edmond Arsenault
Encyclopedia
Aubin-Edmond Arsenault was a Prince Edward Island
politician. He was the 13th Premier of Prince Edward Island
from 1917 to 1919.
Born in Egmont Bay, Prince County, Prince Edward Island
, Arsenault's family settled on the island in 1729 when it was a French
possession called Ile-Saint-Jean. His father, Joseph-Octave Arsenault
, was a provincial politician and the first Acadian
from PEI to be named to the Canadian Senate
. Arsenault was educated at St. Dunstan's College, Charlottetown, and St. Joseph University, New Brunswick. He studied law with McLeod, Morson and McQuarrie in Charlottetown
and with Charles Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen
in London
. He was admitted to the Bar in 1898. Arsenault married Bertha, the daughter of Francis Gallant
.
Aubin Arsenault was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
in 1908 as a Conservative. In 1912 he became Attorney-General in the government of Premier
John A. Mathieson. When Mathieson left politics for a judicial appointment in 1917, Arsenault succeeded him becoming the first Acadian to be premier in any province.
Arsenault's government repealed legislation which restricted automobile travel on the island to specific days and routes. His government also founded the PEI Travel Bureau. His government was defeated in the 1919 election and he served as leader of the opposition
until 1921 when he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island
. He retired in 1946.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
politician. He was the 13th Premier of Prince Edward Island
Premier of Prince Edward Island
The Premier of Prince Edward Island is the first minister for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive.The current Premier of Prince Edward Island is Robert Ghiz.-See also:...
from 1917 to 1919.
Born in Egmont Bay, Prince County, Prince Edward Island
Prince County, Prince Edward Island
Prince County, is located in western Prince Edward Island, Canada. The county's defining geographic feature is Malpeque Bay, a sub-basin of the Gulf of St...
, Arsenault's family settled on the island in 1729 when it was a French
French colonial empire
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
possession called Ile-Saint-Jean. His father, Joseph-Octave Arsenault
Joseph-Octave Arsenault
Joseph-Octave Arsenault was a Canadian politician who was the first Acadian from Prince Edward Island to be named to the Canadian Senate....
, was a provincial politician and the first Acadian
Acadian
The Acadians are the descendants of the 17th-century French colonists who settled in Acadia . Acadia was a colony of New France...
from PEI to be named to the Canadian Senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
. Arsenault was educated at St. Dunstan's College, Charlottetown, and St. Joseph University, New Brunswick. He studied law with McLeod, Morson and McQuarrie in Charlottetown
Charlottetown
Charlottetown is a Canadian city. It is both the largest city on and the provincial capital of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, Charlottetown was first incorporated as a town in 1855 and designated as a city in 1885...
and with Charles Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen
Charles Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen
Charles Arthur Russell, Baron Russell of Killowen, GCMG, PC, was an Irish statesman of the 19th century, and Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales.-Early life:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was admitted to the Bar in 1898. Arsenault married Bertha, the daughter of Francis Gallant
Francis Gallant
Francis "Frank" Gallant was a merchant, mariner and political figure on Prince Edward Island. He represented 1st Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1875 to 1876 as a Conservative member....
.
Aubin Arsenault was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
The Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, along with the Lieutenant-Governor, forms the parliament of the province. The General Assembly meets at Province House, which is located at the intersection of Richmond and Great George Streets in Charlottetown....
in 1908 as a Conservative. In 1912 he became Attorney-General in the government of Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
John A. Mathieson. When Mathieson left politics for a judicial appointment in 1917, Arsenault succeeded him becoming the first Acadian to be premier in any province.
Arsenault's government repealed legislation which restricted automobile travel on the island to specific days and routes. His government also founded the PEI Travel Bureau. His government was defeated in the 1919 election and he served as leader of the opposition
Leader of the Opposition (PEI)
The Leader of the Opposition in Prince Edward Island is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island.This list is incomplete...
until 1921 when he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island
Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island
The Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island is the top court in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island and the highest Court of Appeals in the province....
. He retired in 1946.
External links
- Aubin Edmond Arsenault profile page on Find-A-Grave
- PEI Premiers biography