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Robert Ghiz

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Robert Ghiz
Premier-Designate of Prince Edward Island
Personal details
Born (1974-01-21) January 21, 1974 (age 50)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Political partyLiberal
SpouseDr. Kate Ellis

Robert Ghiz, MLA (born January 21, 1974, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island) is the Premier-elect of Prince Edward Island. He is also the son of former premier Joe Ghiz.

Ghiz grew up in Charlottetown and later attended Bishop's University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in political science. After graduating from university, he then went to Ottawa to work as a political aide for Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps before becoming a lobbyist for the Bank of Nova Scotia in 1998. In 2001 Ghiz joined the office of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien where he served as Atlantic Canada advisor before leaving to run for leader of the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island in 2003. Ghiz' relocation to Prince Edward Island in the fall of 2002 while still working for the Prime Minister's Office raised eyebrows, with some critics suggesting that Ghiz was using his job to further his own political ambitions while reestablishing legal residency in the province.

In 2003 Ghiz narrowly defeated former provincial Health Minister Alan Buchanan for the leadership of the party and went on to win a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island in the 2003 provincial election. The MLA for Charlottetown-Rochford Square is currently leader of the opposition in the legislature. Should Ghiz, like his father, become premier it would be the second time in the history of Prince Edward Island that a father-son team both became premier; the others are Thane Campbell (1936-1943) and his son Alexander B. Campbell (1966-1978).

Since becoming leader, Ghiz has struggled to match the personal popularity of PC leader Pat Binns, even when the Liberals led the PCs in opinion polls. A recent controversy involved Ghiz's decision to reject the nomination of one of his party's candidates, Larry McGuire, following a controversial nomination speech endorsing patronage.

Ghiz led his Liberal Party to power in the provincial election held on May 28, 2007, ending 11 years of Conservative Rule under Premier Pat Binns.

Preceded by
Ron MacKinley (interim)
 PEI Liberal Leader
2003–present 		Succeeded by
Preceded by MLA for Charlottetown-Rochford Square
2003–present 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Leader of the Opposition
2003–present 		Succeeded by

References

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