Herb Dickieson

Herb Dickieson (born March 8, 1954) is a physician and a former educator and politician in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Dickieson was the first and, to date, only member of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island to have sat in the Legislative Assembly.[1]

Herb Dickieson
Leader of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island
In office
1995–2002
Preceded byLarry Duchesne
Succeeded byGary Robichaud
MLA for West Point-Bloomfield
In office
1996–2000
Preceded byRiding created
Succeeded byEva Rodgerson
Personal details
Born (1954-03-08) March 8, 1954
New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island
Political partyNew Democratic
Occupationphysician

Dickieson was raised in New Glasgow on a small family farm.[2] 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 was elected leader of the Island New Democrats in March 1995,[3] and led the party 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,[4] but was defeated in the 2000 election.[5] Dickieson led the party through the 1990s, but resigned two years 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, he had refused until he announced on September 12, 2014 that he would seek the NDP nomination for Egmont for the 2015 federal election.[6][7] Dickieson was nominated as the candidate in October 2014.[8] On October 19, 2015, Dickieson was defeated in the election, finishing third behind the winner, Liberal Bobby Morrissey and Conservative incumbent Gail Shea.[9][10]

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. He worked as a doctor for years at The O’Leary Health centre.

Electoral record
2015 Canadian federal election: Egmont
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalBobby Morrissey10,52149.25+17.94$67,240.83
ConservativeGail Shea6,18528.95–25.70$110,058.32
New DemocraticHerb Dickieson4,09719.18+6.81$34,718.49
GreenNils Ling5592.62+0.95$4,895.27
Total valid votes/Expense limit 21,36299.59 $169,928.60
Total rejected ballots 870.41–0.39
Turnout 21,44977.29+5.62
Eligible voters 27,751
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +21.82
Source: Elections Canada[11][12]

References
  1. "Lopsided victory raises electoral reform". CBC News. May 30, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  2. "A look at Herb Dickieson, leader of NDP in Prince Edward Island". Toronto: Canadian Press NewsWire. March 21, 2000.
  3. "New NDP leader selected". The Globe and Mail. March 14, 1995.
  4. "Tories triumph in PEI election". The Globe and Mail. November 19, 1996.
  5. "Seatless NDP leader wants vote recount". The Globe and Mail. April 29, 2000.
  6. "Herb Dickieson seeking NDP nomination in Egmont". The Guardian. September 12, 2014. Retrieved 2014-11-19.
  7. "Dr. Herb Dickieson seeks Egmont NDP nomination". CBC News. September 15, 2014. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  8. "NDP's Dr. Herb Dickieson kicks off official campaign for Egmont". The Journal Pioneer. July 3, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  9. "Conservative Gail Shea loses Egmont to Liberal Bobby Morrissey". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  10. "Dickieson and the NDP have third-place finish in Egmont". The Journal Pioneer. October 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  11. "October 19, 2015 Election Results — Egmont (Validated results)". Elections Canada. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  12. Elections Canada – Final Candidates Election Expenses Limits
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