Prince Edward Island general election, 1966
Encyclopedia
The Prince Edward Island general election, 1966 was held on May 30, 1966.
The election in the riding of 1st Kings
was delayed until July 11, 1966 due to the death of Liberal
Assemblyman and candidate William Acorn. As it turned out, other ridings elected a total of 15 Liberals and 15 Progressive Conservatives
, and the riding of 1st Kings would by itself decide the general election.
The outgoing Progressive Conservative government attempted to win 1st Kings by resorting to such methods as naming one of the Conservative candidate (Keith Mackenzie) as Minister of Transports, and paving 30 miles of road in the district. At the time, a reporter from the Charlottetown Guardian commented on how "the riding may well sink under the weight of the [paving] machines". The strategy failed as both Liberal candidates in 1st Kings ultimately won, enabling Alex Campbell
to become Premier
.
The 1966 election was the first following the splitting of the 5th Queens
district. The Progressive Conservative government decided to break with the tradition of each county having five ridings and ten members; by splitting 5th Queens, it gave the city of Charlottetown
two ridings and therefore four members. This was the single biggest change to the map since 1893 when the ridings were devised. In that time population shifts had made some changes needed, as Charlottetown's population was more than five times that of some of the more rural ridings. The Progressive Conservatives had hoped that traditionally Progressive Conservative Charlottetown would vote in two new Progressive Conservative members to the legislature; on election day the new riding elected two Progressive Conservatives, but the now modified old riding elected two Liberals.
The election in the riding of 1st Kings
1st Kings
1st Kings was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1993.The district comprised the easternmost portion of Kings County....
was delayed until July 11, 1966 due to the death of Liberal
Prince Edward Island Liberal Party
The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada. The party is led by Robert Ghiz, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister...
Assemblyman and candidate William Acorn. As it turned out, other ridings elected a total of 15 Liberals and 15 Progressive Conservatives
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...
, and the riding of 1st Kings would by itself decide the general election.
The outgoing Progressive Conservative government attempted to win 1st Kings by resorting to such methods as naming one of the Conservative candidate (Keith Mackenzie) as Minister of Transports, and paving 30 miles of road in the district. At the time, a reporter from the Charlottetown Guardian commented on how "the riding may well sink under the weight of the [paving] machines". The strategy failed as both Liberal candidates in 1st Kings ultimately won, enabling Alex Campbell
Alex Campbell
Alexander Bradshaw Campbell, PC is a former politician of Prince Edward Island, Canada. He is the son of former premier Thane A. Campbell and Cecilia L. Bradshaw. He entered politics by winning a seat in the legislature through a 1965 by-election in 5th Prince...
to become Premier
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:...
.
The 1966 election was the first following the splitting of the 5th Queens
5th Queens
5th Queens was an electoral district in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, which elected two members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1873 to 1993. The district was also known as Charlottetown Common until 1939....
district. The Progressive Conservative government decided to break with the tradition of each county having five ridings and ten members; by splitting 5th Queens, it gave the city of 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...
two ridings and therefore four members. This was the single biggest change to the map since 1893 when the ridings were devised. In that time population shifts had made some changes needed, as Charlottetown's population was more than five times that of some of the more rural ridings. The Progressive Conservatives had hoped that traditionally Progressive Conservative Charlottetown would vote in two new Progressive Conservative members to the legislature; on election day the new riding elected two Progressive Conservatives, but the now modified old riding elected two Liberals.
| Prince Edward Island general election, 1966 | ||
| Name | Seats | Pop Vote |
| Prince Edward Island Liberal Party Prince Edward Island Liberal Party The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada. The party is led by Robert Ghiz, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister... |
17 | 50.5% |
| Prince Edward Island 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... |
15 | 49.5% |