William Bennett Campbell
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W. Bennett Campbell (born 1943) is a former politician and premier of Prince Edward Island, Canada .
Campbell, a teacher by profession, entered 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, W. 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 a seat in the Canadian House of Commons through a 1981 by-election, and became Minister of Veterans Affairs in the cabinet of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He retained his portfolio when John Turner succeeded Trudeau as Liberal leader and prime minister, but lost his seat in the 1984 election that brought down the short-lived Turner government.
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Preceded by: Alexander B. Campbell 1966-1978 |
Premier of Prince Edward Island 1978-1979 |
Succeeded by: J. Angus MacLean 1979-1981 |
| Preceded by: Daniel J. Macdonald, Liberal |
Members of Parliament from Cardigan | Succeeded by: Pat Binns, Prog. Cons. |