Bennett Campbell

William Bennett Campbell, PC (August 27, 1943 – September 11 2008) was a politician and 26th Premier of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Born in Montague, Prince Edward Island, Campbell was a teacher by profession before entering politics in 1970 and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island as a Liberal candidate. In 1972, he became Minister of Education; Provincial Secretary in 1974; and Minister of Finance in 1976.

When Liberal leader and PEI Premier Alexander B. Campbell (no relation) announced his retirement, Bennett Campbell ran and won the Liberal leadership and was sworn in as Premier on September 18, 1978.

His government was defeated in the general election held the next year. He remained party leader and leader of the opposition until he decided to enter federal politics. He won the seat for Cardigan in the Canadian House of Commons through a 1981 by-election following the death of Daniel J. Macdonald. He also immediately took over Macdonald's cabinet portfolio and became Minister of Veterans Affairs in the government of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He retained his portfolio when John Turner succeeded Trudeau as Liberal leader and prime minister, but lost his seat to Pat Binns in the 1984 election that brought down the short-lived Turner government.

Campbell died of cancer and is survived by his wife Shirley and eight children.

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