Ridings

Wayne Easter

Party: Liberal Party of Canada
Birth Date: June 22, 1949
Age: 54
Birthplace: Charlottetown

Education: Diploma from N.S. Agricultural College, 1970 certificate from Canadian International Grains Institute, 1973
Profession: Farmer
Career Background:
Since 1970, dairy, beef, grain producer at Easterhaven Farms. 1971-1982 — Various offices, National Farmers Union. 1973 — Youth President, National Farmers Union (NFU). 1982-1993 — President, National Farmers Union. In 1990, he served as an adviser to the Trinational Exchange on Agriculture, the Environment and Free Trade Agreements. Adviser: P.E.I. Family Farm advisory Committee, 1976-78; N.Wiltshire CIC. 1976-78; Canagrex, 1983; Trinational Exchange on Agriculture. Environment and Free Trade Agreements, 1990. 1992 — Executive Member, Council of Canadians. Charter Member, Rural Dignity of Canada.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Helen
Children: Two — Kimberley, Jamie

Political History
Party: Non-partisan until retirement as president of NFU
Federal: Elected in Malpeque in 1993, 1997, 2000

Political History (Federal/Provincial)
Parliamentary Secretary: July 10, 1997 to Sept. 7, 1999 — to Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Cabinet: Oct. 22, 2002 to Dec. 12, 2003 — Solicitor General
Committee: Former chair: fisheries and oceans; subcommittee on grain transportation. Former Member: fisheries and oceans; procedure and house affairs. Member: Agriculture and Agri-food
Caucus: Former member of Prime Minister's Task Force on Future of Farming
Office Address:
P.O. Box 70
Hunter River, PEI
(902) 964-2428
Capital Address:
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON
(613) 992-2406

Mary Crane

Party: Conservative Party of Canada

Education: Currently working on her Masters of Literacy Education, focused on literacy for the new knowledge economy.
Career Background:
Operates a small beef farm with her husband in Kensington. They have been an active Island 4-H family for 20 years. A high school teacher of Law, History and English, she has encouraged and mentored students and student teachers in theatre productions and drama festivals. She is the author of an English text and Teachers Guide, currently used in P.E.I., Newfoundland, Ontario and Western Canada. She has involved her students in the P.E.I. Youth Parliament and the Maritime Model UN, organizes student educational tours of Europe, and started a Free the Children group.
Community Involvement:
Involved with tourism through her family's business at Penderosa Cottages in Darnley. Founder and president of the Indian River Festival, a key event in P.E.I.'s summer festivals. Worked on the restoration of St. Mary's Church, Indian River; church organist for 20 years and involved in many community events and committees. Named Motivator of the Year (2001) by P.E.I. Festival and Events. Awarded Queen's Jubilee Medal (2002) for her community work.
Marital Status: Married
Name of Spouse: Mel Crane
Children: 4

Ken Bingham

Party: New Democratic Party of Canada
Birthplace: Summerside

Career Background: He is a musician, financial adviser and enjoyed a 20-year teaching career. He is a working partner in a certified organic farming operation near New Glasgow. He is involved in many social justice organizations and currently serves as provincial NDP treasurer.

Political History
Provincial: Defeated in Park Corner-Oyster Bed in 2003
Federal: Defeated in Malpeque in 2000

Sharon Labchuk

Party: The Green Party of Canada
Age: 51

Career Background: Has worked full-time as an environmental activist for the past 15 years, and is politically engaged at both local and national levels. Her work has been featured in several recent books and documentary films. Currently, she works with Earth Action in P.E.I. and focuses largely on agriculture issues. She is also a small-scale organic beekeeper and mead-maker. Lives in a solar home she built mostly herself.
Children: Two

Political History (Federal/Provincial)
Office Address:
(902) 621-0719