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Dennis King (politician)

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His Excellency
Dennis King
King in 2021
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 3, 2025
Preceded byNancy Smyth
33rd Premier of Prince Edward Island
In office
May 9, 2019 – February 21, 2025
Monarchs
Lieutenant Governor
DeputyDarlene Compton (2019–2023)
Bloyce Thompson (2023–2025)
Preceded byWade MacLauchlan
Succeeded byRob Lantz
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island for Brackley-Hunter River
In office
April 23, 2019 – February 21, 2025
Preceded byRiding established
Leader of the
Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island
In office
February 9, 2019 – February 21, 2025
Preceded byJames Aylward
Succeeded byRob Lantz (interim)
Personal details
Born (1971-11-01) November 1, 1971 (age 53)
Georgetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Political partyProgressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island
Spouse
Jana Hemphill
​
(m. 1999)​
Children3
Residence(s)Brookfield, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Dennis King (born November 1, 1971)[1] is a Canadian politician and diplomat currently serving as the Canadian ambassador to Ireland. Previously, King served as the 33rd premier of Prince Edward Island,[2] leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island, and MLA for Brackley-Hunter River from 2019 to 2025.[3][4]

Early life

Born in Georgetown, Prince Edward Island,[5] King worked in many Prince Edward Island media outlets for years, including the Eastern Graphic, The Guardian and CFCY-FM. In 1997, he started work as a public relations coordinator for the Ministry of Transportation, then became director of communications for the Department of Development and Technology, and finally director of communications and executive assistant to the 30th premier of Prince Edward Island, Pat Binns.[6]

Political career

On February 9, 2019, King was elected leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island, at the party's leadership convention in Charlottetown.[3] King led his party to win a plurality of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island following the 2019 Prince Edward Island general election and won his seat in the district of Brackley-Hunter River. His party acquired 12 seats overall.[7]

Premier of Prince Edward Island (2019–2025)

On April 30, 2019, King was invited by Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Perry to form a minority government and was sworn in as premier on May 9, 2019.[8] With a victory in a November 2020 by-election, the PCs became a majority government. In March 2023, King announced an early election that was held on April 3, 2023. King and the Progressive Conservative Party won a majority government in the election, increasing their majority.[9]

On February 20, 2025, King announced his intention to resign as premier, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and MLA as of noon AST, February 21, 2025.[10]

King was announced as the next appointee for Canada's ambassador to Ireland on March 3, 2025.[11]

Personal life

King is the author of two books: The Day They Shot Reveen: Stories from a PEI Small Town (2016)[12] and The Legend of Bubby Stevens (2017).[13] He has been married to Jana Hemphill since 1999; together, they have three children.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Dennis King The Canadian Encyclopedia". thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  2. ^ Yarr, Kevin (May 9, 2019). "Compton takes Finance, Aylward Health in new P.E.I. cabinet". CBC News. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Dennis King new P.E.I. PC leader - CTV News Atlantic". CTV Atlantic. February 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Ross, Shane (April 4, 2023). "Who's in, who's out: Meet the new Legislative Assembly of P.E.I." CBC News.
  5. ^ "Hon. Dennis King". PC Party. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "Dennis King chosen as new leader of Prince Edward Island Tories". National Post. February 9, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  7. ^ "P.E.I. voters elect PC minority amid Green surge | CTV News". www.ctvnews.ca. April 23, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  8. ^ Campbell, Kerry (May 1, 2019). "King has lieutenant-governor's go-ahead to form government". CBC News. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  9. ^ "Dennis King promises humility, kindness after winning 2nd term as P.E.I. premier". CBC. April 4, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  10. ^ Mott, Sean (February 20, 2025). "'Thank you, P.E.I.': Premier Dennis King resigns after six years". CTV News. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
  11. ^ MacIsaac, Alex (March 3, 2025). "Dennis King appointed as Canada's ambassador to Ireland". CBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  12. ^ Cole, Sally. "Dennis King has a tale to tell | The Guardian". www.theguardian.pe.ca. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  13. ^ Cole, Sally. "Dennis King shares stories of his childhood, among other things, in his P.E.I. book "The Legend of Bubby Stevens" | The Guardian". www.theguardian.pe.ca. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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