Catherine Callbeck

Catherine Callbeck is a Canadian politician and Prince Edward Island's 28^th Premier. She was the second woman in Canada to become a provincial premier, and the first to win her office in a general election. Born in Central Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, Catherine was first elected in 1974. She served as Prince Edward Island's Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Disabled Persons until 1978, when she chose to return to the family business and did not seek re-election. Callbeck returned to politics a decade later, this time as federal Member of Parliament for Malpeque. In January 1993, she left federal politics to seek the leadership of the Prince Edward Island Liberal Party. Her bid was successful and she became Premier. Callbeck resigned in 1996 and was appointed to the Senate of Canada in 1997, where she served until 2014. She has received many honours and awards, including the Order of Canada.

“I think it’s important to have women in elected office and in our legislatures. We make up over 50 percent of the population, and I think it’s important that our views be heard as well as the men.”