Robert Allison Ellis

ELLIS, ALLISON, farmer, manufacturer of farm machinery, and fisher; b. 19 April 1935 in West Cape, son of Robert Earl Ellis and Clara Barton Dumville; m. 6 November 1956 Elsie Melba Maclsaac, and they had five children, Michael Allison, Sydney Blake (deceased), Amber Melba, Stephen Merle, and Melody Ann; United. Ellis, a Liberal, and later an Independent Liberal, was first elected in the general election of 1978 for Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1979, 1982, 1986, and 1989. He was defeated in a by-election held 8 November 1976. From 1978 to 1979, Ellis was a Minister without Portfolio. While in Opposition, he served for a time as House Leader. On 2 May 1986, he was appointed Minister of Energy, Minister responsible for the PEI Liquor Commission, Minister responsible for the PEI Energy Corporation, and a member of Treasury Board. Ellis chaired the Standing Committee on Agriculture. In April 1992 he became an Independent Liberal after resigning from the party caucus, feeling he had been misled by a Cabinet Minister regarding the construction of the O'Leary Hospital. Allison Ellis was educated at Green Hill School #49 and completed grade 8. He has worked as a farmer, a fisher, and farm machinery manufacturer. He operated Allison Industries Ltd. He was awarded the Environmentally Friendly Farmer Award from the Atlantic Salmon Federation for Soil Conservation. He served as president of the Acadian Fishermen's Association and as the local president, regional director, and national board member of the National Farmers Union. Ellis was chair of the Prince Edward Island Land Development Corporation and was a director of the Athletic Association in O'Leary. In 1992 he was awarded a commemorative medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation from the Canada 125 Committee for his significant contribution to the country, and in the same year he was named Citizen of the Year at the Potato Blossom Festival. Ellis is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and in 1968 was elected Master of the Corinthian Lodge in O'Leary. In 1991 he was elected Grand Master of Prince Edward Island Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. He is also a life member of the Lions Club. Allison and Melba Ellis reside in West Cape. Melba Ellis is the daughter of Benjamin and Pearle Maclsaac of Dunblane.