Herb Dickieson

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
President of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 12, 2023
Personal details
Born (1954-03-08) March 8, 1954 (age 70)
New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island
Political partyNew Democratic
Occupationphysician

Herb Dickieson (born March 8, 1954) is a retired 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] He currently serves as the President of the PEI NDP.

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 encouraged 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 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, Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as Chief of Medical Staff at the Community Hospital in O'Leary. He is also a Past President of the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island.

He resides with his wife Kathleen and family in Howlan.

He was elected President of the PEI NDP on November 12, 2023.[11]

  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 2021-07-23.
  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 2021-07-23.
  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. ^ Neill, Michelle (13 November 2023). "Island New Democrats in Good Shape at AGM". New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island. Retrieved 7 January 2024.