H. Wade MacLauchlan Master in Surgery OPEI Modern Language Association, is a Canadian academic and politician.
Background
MacLauchlan was born in 1954 or 1955, the third of five children born to Harry and Marjorie MacLauchlan in Stanhope, Prince Edward Island. His father was a successful businessman who made his wealth in a number of ventures including pulpwood, heavy construction, golf, cable television, tourism, oil and gas distribution, and real estate.
Education
MacLauchlan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Laws from Yale University.
Career
He is the 32nd and current Premier of Prince Edward Island, since February 23, 2015. He worked as a law professor at Dalhousie University before becoming dean of the law school at the University of New Brunswick. MacLauchlan was president of the University of Prince Edward Island from 1999 to 2011.
During his tenure, he helped the university raise millions of dollars for research and development and oversaw a doubling of enrollment to 4,500 students.
He was previously dean of the law school of the University of New Brunswick and a law professor at Dalhousie University. MacLauchlan has been criticized for a 2006 decision as president of the University of Prince Edward Island when he banned from campus an edition of the student newspaper, The Cadre, which reprinted controversial Danish cartoons of Muhammad.
On November 28, 2014, MacLauchlan announced his candidacy for the leadership of the governing Prince Edward Island Liberal Party. He was the sole candidate at the close of nominations on January 20, 2015 and was acclaimed leader on February 21, 2015.
He was sworn in as the 32nd Premier of Prince Edward Island, on February 23, 2015.
MacLauchlan has chaired the Palmer Conference on Public Sector Leadership in 2012: Canada as a Leader in Immigration Policy and Practice, and co-chaired the 2013 Georgetown Conference: Redefining Rural. He also wrote Alex B. Campbell: The Prince Edward Island Premier Who Rocked the Cradle, a biography of Alex Campbell.
Membership
MacLauchlan is the first member of the Order of Canada to become premier of a province, the first openly gay Premier of Prince Edward Island, and the first openly gay man to be premier of a province.