Herb Dickieson
Encyclopedia
Herb Dickieson is a physician
and a former educator and politician in Prince Edward Island
, Canada
. Dickieson is notably the first and currently the only member of the New Democratic Party
, or any third party, to have sat in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
.
Dickieson was raised in New Glasgow
on a small family farm. He graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island
with his B.Sc. in 1979 and received a B.Ed. in 1982. Dickieson taught high school in Calgary
, Alberta
for one year before entering medical school at Dalhousie University
, from which he graduated with his medical degree in 1987. Dickieson interned in New Brunswick
and in Prince Edward Island and established a family medicine practise in O'Leary
.
Dickieson led the Island New Democrats in the 1996 and 2000 provincial elections, seeking to be a Member of the Legislature for District 25, West Point-Bloomfield. He was successful in the 1996 election
, but was defeated in the 2000 election
. Dickieson led the party through the 1990s, but resigned after his personal electoral defeat.
Dickieson was a popular politician during his term, even among non-New Democrats, as a voice for change. He was pressured by many members to run for the federal New Democratic Party
in the 2004 federal election
and again provincially, but has not sought office since.
Dickieson was always involved in local and provincial issues, including concern over the closing of rural post offices, the fate of farmers, and the quality of education, particularly among children. He has served on boards for the promotion of a community youth centre, as a Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as Chief of Medical Staff at the Community Hospital. He is also currently the Past President of the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island.
He resides with his wife Kathleen and family in Howlan
.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
and a former educator and politician in 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...
, Canada
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...
. Dickieson is notably the first and currently the only member of the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, or any third party, to have sat in 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....
.
Dickieson was raised in New Glasgow
New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island
New Glasgow is an unincorporated area located in Queens County in the central portion of Prince Edward Island, south-west of North Rustico. It is situated on the Hunter River.-Climate:-External links:*...
on a small family farm. He graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island
University of Prince Edward Island
The University of Prince Edward Island is a public liberal arts university in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and the sole university in the province. Founded in 1969, it traces its roots back to its two earlier predecessor organizations, St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales...
with his B.Sc. in 1979 and received a B.Ed. in 1982. Dickieson taught high school in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
for one year before entering medical school at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, from which he graduated with his medical degree in 1987. Dickieson interned in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
and in Prince Edward Island and established a family medicine practise in O'Leary
O'Leary, Prince Edward Island
-References:*...
.
Dickieson led the Island New Democrats in the 1996 and 2000 provincial elections, seeking to be a Member of the Legislature for District 25, West Point-Bloomfield. He was successful in the 1996 election
Prince Edward Island general election, 1996
thumb|Map of PEI's ridings showing winning parties and their popular vote.The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island conducted a general election on November 18, 1996 to elect the 27 members of the Island legislature...
, but was defeated in the 2000 election
Prince Edward Island general election, 2000
The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island conducted a general election on April 17, 2000 to elect the 27 members of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island....
. Dickieson led the party through the 1990s, but resigned after his personal electoral defeat.
Dickieson was a popular politician during his term, even among non-New Democrats, as a voice for change. He was pressured by many members to run for the federal New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
in the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
and again provincially, but has not sought office since.
Dickieson was always involved in local and provincial issues, including concern over the closing of rural post offices, the fate of farmers, and the quality of education, particularly among children. He has served on boards for the promotion of a community youth centre, as a Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as Chief of Medical Staff at the Community Hospital. He is also currently the Past President of the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island.
He resides with his wife Kathleen and family in Howlan
Howlan, Prince Edward Island
Howlan is a settlement on Prince Edward Island....
.