Gail Shea
Encyclopedia
Gail Shea, PC
, MP (born April 6, 1959) is a Canadian
politician, currently the Member of Parliament for Egmont
. She was previously a member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
from 2000 to 2007, representing the electoral district of Tignish-DeBlois as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
.
As of May 18, 2011, Shea serves as the Minister of National Revenue
. During this period Shea 's responsibilities included the Status of Women in the province, as well as providing oversight on the Workers Compensation Board and the Island Waste Management Corporation.
candidate in the riding of Egmont
for the 2008 federal election
.
On October 14, 2008, she became the first candidate to be elected MP from Prince Edward Island
who wasn't a Liberal
, in 24 years.
On October 30, 2008, Shea was appointed the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
.
She is only the third female MP from Prince Edward Island, following Margaret Mary Macdonald
and Catherine Callbeck
.
In the May 2, 2011 general election Shea was re-elected to represent the people of Egmont with a margin of 4500 votes.
On May 18, 2011 she was appointed Minister of National Revenue
and is the only female cabinet minister east of Ontario.
while giving a speech at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. An American PETA
activist, Emily McCoy, was later arrested in Burlington
, charged with assault in connection with the incident. PETA has taken public responsibility for the incident, saying that it was part of a broader campaign against the Canadian Government's support of the seal hunt.
In response to the pieing of the Fisheries Minister, a long time Liberal MP Gerry Byrne denounced the attack on the minister as an act of terrorism. He commented on the 26th, “When someone actually coaches or conducts criminal behaviour to impose a political agenda on each and every other citizen of Canada, that does seem to me to meet the test of a terrorist organization.” Byrne continued to say, “I am calling on the Government of Canada to actually investigate whether or not this organization, PETA, is acting as a terrorist organization under the test that exists under Canadian law.” In response to his interpretation of Canadian law, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk
said Byrnes reaction was "a silly, chest-beating exercise."
When commenting on the event later, Shea's opinion of the seal hunt did not appear affected. "I can tell you that this incident actually strengthens my resolve to support the seal hunt," she remarked. "If this is what it takes to stand up for Canadian sealing families and this industry I'm certainly very proud to do it."
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
, MP (born April 6, 1959) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician, currently the Member of Parliament for Egmont
Egmont (electoral district)
Egmont is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968. Its population in 2001 was 35,208.-Demographics:Ethnic groups: 98.0% White, 1.4% Native Canadian...
. She was previously a member of 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....
from 2000 to 2007, representing the electoral district of Tignish-DeBlois as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party
Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party
The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. It and its rival, the Liberals have alternated in power since responsible government was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative...
.
As of May 18, 2011, Shea serves as the Minister of National Revenue
Minister of National Revenue (Canada)
The Minister of National Revenue is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and the administration of taxation law and collection....
Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs
Shea served as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs from 2000 to 2003, under the second administration of Premier Pat BinnsPat Binns
Patrick George Binns , is a Canadian diplomat who was named Ambassador to Ireland on August 30, 2007.Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of Prince Edward Island, holding office from 1996 to 2007, during which time he was the leader of the Prince Edward...
. During this period Shea 's responsibilities included the Status of Women in the province, as well as providing oversight on the Workers Compensation Board and the Island Waste Management Corporation.
Minister of Transportation and Public Works
From 2003 to 2007 Shea served as Minister of Transportation and Public Works. In this position, Shea oversaw the implementation of a graduated licencing system in her home province.Canadian federal politics
Shea stood as the Conservative Party of CanadaConservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
candidate in the riding of Egmont
Egmont (electoral district)
Egmont is a federal electoral district in Prince Edward Island, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1968. Its population in 2001 was 35,208.-Demographics:Ethnic groups: 98.0% White, 1.4% Native Canadian...
for the 2008 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2008
The 2008 Canadian federal election was held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament after the previous parliament had been dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008...
.
On October 14, 2008, she became the first candidate to be elected MP from Prince Edward Island
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...
who wasn't a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, in 24 years.
On October 30, 2008, Shea was appointed the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada)
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for supervising the fishing industry and administrating all navigable waterways in the country...
.
She is only the third female MP from Prince Edward Island, following Margaret Mary Macdonald
Margaret Mary Macdonald
Margaret Mary Macdonald was a Canadian politician. On May 29, 1961 she became the first woman from Prince Edward Island to be represented in the House of Commons....
and Catherine Callbeck
Catherine Callbeck
Catherine Sophia Callbeck is a Canadian politician and a current member of the Senate of Canada.She was the 28th Premier of Prince Edward Island from 1993 to 1996, the second female provincial premier in Canadian history, and the first to win a general election Catherine Sophia Callbeck (born July...
.
In the May 2, 2011 general election Shea was re-elected to represent the people of Egmont with a margin of 4500 votes.
On May 18, 2011 she was appointed Minister of National Revenue
Minister of National Revenue (Canada)
The Minister of National Revenue is the Minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency and the administration of taxation law and collection....
and is the only female cabinet minister east of Ontario.
Pie incident
On January 25, 2010, Shea was piedPieing
Pieing is the act of throwing a pie at a person or persons. This can be a political action when the target is an authority figure, politician, or celebrity and can be used as a means of protesting against the target's political beliefs, or against perceived arrogance or vanity. Perpetrators...
while giving a speech at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. An American PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
activist, Emily McCoy, was later arrested in Burlington
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
, charged with assault in connection with the incident. PETA has taken public responsibility for the incident, saying that it was part of a broader campaign against the Canadian Government's support of the seal hunt.
In response to the pieing of the Fisheries Minister, a long time Liberal MP Gerry Byrne denounced the attack on the minister as an act of terrorism. He commented on the 26th, “When someone actually coaches or conducts criminal behaviour to impose a political agenda on each and every other citizen of Canada, that does seem to me to meet the test of a terrorist organization.” Byrne continued to say, “I am calling on the Government of Canada to actually investigate whether or not this organization, PETA, is acting as a terrorist organization under the test that exists under Canadian law.” In response to his interpretation of Canadian law, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk
Ingrid Newkirk
Ingrid Newkirk is a British-born animal rights activist and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , the world's largest animal rights organization...
said Byrnes reaction was "a silly, chest-beating exercise."
When commenting on the event later, Shea's opinion of the seal hunt did not appear affected. "I can tell you that this incident actually strengthens my resolve to support the seal hunt," she remarked. "If this is what it takes to stand up for Canadian sealing families and this industry I'm certainly very proud to do it."
External links
- Gail Shea official site