Walter McEwen

MCEWEN, Q.C., WALTER, lawyer; b. 31 January 1940 in Montague, son of Ted McEwen and Mary Burke; m. 11 September 1965 Myrna Nicholson, and they had three children, Scott, Shawn, and Jamie; Roman Catholic. McEwen, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1989 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general election of 1993. On 15 April 1993, he was appointed Minister of Provincial Affairs and Attorney-General, and Minister Responsible for the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, the Workers Compensation Board, the Liquor Control Commission, the Human Rights Commission, Francophone Affairs, and Native Affairs. On 9 June 1994, McEwen was appointed Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Health and Community Services Agency, the five Regional Health Boards, and the Prince Edward Island Housing Corporation. McEwen received his secondary education at the Montague High School. He then attended St. Dunstan's University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1965. After graduating he worked for a few years as a scientific equipment salesperson before returning to school. McEwen studied law at Dalhousie University and graduated in 1971. He moved to Toronto and was called to the Ontario Bar in March 1973. McEwen returned to the Island, where he articled with J. Melville Campbell. He was admitted to the Prince Edward Island Bar on 9 October 1973, and began a law practice in Summerside with the firm that later became Campbell and McEwen. In 1986 he was awarded the designation of Queen's Counsel. The firm eventually became Campbell, McEwen, Taylor and McLennan. He is currently in private practice in Summerside as counsel to the firm of Taylor and McLellan. He is also a member of the National Parole Board. McEwen has been actively involved in his community for many years. He has served as president of the Summerside Boys and Girls Club, the Summerside Sheltered Workshop, and Junior Achievement of Summerside and Area. He was alsoa director of the Prince County Family Services Bureau, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee of the Prince County Hospital, and an executive member of the Summerside and Area Minor Hockey Association.