James Matthew Lee

LEE, P.C., HONOURABLE JAMES MATTHEW, real estate broker, tourist operator, and businessperson; b. 29 March 1937 in Charlottetown, son of James Matthew Lee and Catherine Blanchard; m. 2 July 1960 Patricia Laurie, and they had three children, Laurie Anne, Patricia Susan, and Jason; Roman Catholic. Lee, a Conservative, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in a by-election held 17 February 1975 for 5th Queens. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1978, 1979, and 1982. He was defeated in the general elections of 1974 and 1986. Lee was a candidate for the party leadership in 1976, which was won by J. Angus MacLean*. On 3 May1979, he became Minister of Tourism, Parks and Conservation. In 1980 Lee was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services. Lee was elected Leader of the provincial Conservatives upon the retirement of MacLean on 9 November 1981. On 17 November of that year, Lee was sworn in as Premier. Fie and the Conservative party were returned to power in the 1982 general election, winning 21 of 32 seats in the Legislature. Later that year, he was sworn into the Privy Council of Canada by Queen Elizabeth II. Lee's time as Premier was marked by difficult economic conditions. The North American economy was in its most marked recession in 30 years. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Development Plan ended during his time in office. The focus of Lee's government was to manage the finances wisely given the poor economic climate. Lee was a prudent, common-sense leader with a reserved style. He championed smaller government and less restriction for private enterprise. One of the most significant accomplishments of Lee's government was the successful negotiation process that resulted in the Atlantic Veterinary College being located at the University of Prince Edward Island. Lee was also successful in reducing energy costs for Islanders. Although Lee's Conservatives went into the 1986 election ahead in the polls, they lost support as the contest went on. Lee had staked his campaign in part on the attraction to the Island of Litton Enterprises and the high-tech jobs that came with it. Opposition leader Joseph Ghiz opposed this on the grounds that the government's financial arrangement with Litton was too generous. Lee resigned as Conservative Leader on 13 November 1986. Lee began his association with the Conservative party in 1957 as a member of the Queens County Young Conservatives. He served in several offices on the executive of the Young Progressive Conservatives and became Provincial Director of the Conservative Party in 1965. Lee was a party organizer for many years and also served as its Executive Director. "Jim" Lee received his early education at Queen Square School in Charlottetown. He then attended St. Dunstan's University and also trained as an architectural draughtsman at the Provincial Vocational School. Lee owned and operated Island Real Estate Limited. He was a real estate broker and developer until 1979, when he sold his business interests. Lee also operated a tourist business in Stanhope. Following his retirement from provincial politics, Lee served as Commissioner of the Canadian Pension Commission in Charlottetown. He is presently Chair of the Workers Compensation Board. Lee served as vice-president of the Charlottetown Jaycees and as director of the United Commercial Travellers, and is a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the United Services Officers Club, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. For the past 10 years, Lee has been involved with the Council for Canadian Unity and presently serves as National President. Lee has served as chairperson on the North Shore Community Council for the past five years. He also served as a director of the Stanhope Historical Society and as a 4-H leader. Jim Lee and his wife currently reside in Stanhope. Patricia Lee is the daughter of Ivan A. Laurie and Anne Gillan of Charlottetown.