Description

CONNOLLY, JOHN PAUL educator and investment counsellor; b. 22 June 1946 in Charlottetown, son of Stephen Peter Connolly and Eulalia Catherine McNally; m. 20 May 1972 Etta Blanche MacLean, and they had four children, Susan Maureen, Nancy Mary, Heather Patricia, and John Paul; Roman Catholic.
Connolly, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1982 for 6th Queens. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1986, 1989, and 1993. In 1996 he was elected for the new riding of Charlottetown-Rochford Square. Connolly was defeated in the general election of 1979 for 3rd Queens. From 1982 to 1986, he was Opposition critic for Health, Social Services, and the Status of Women. In 1986 he co-chaired the Liberal Task Force on Job Creation and chaired Policy Board. In 1989 Connolly was appointed Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Native Affairs, and Minister Responsible

for the Status of Women. In 1992 he vice-chaired the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. While Minister of Education, Connolly initiated significant reform within the provincial education system. In 1993 he served on the Cabinet Committee for Public Consultation, and in 1996 he was appointed Minister of Higher Education. Connolly was a Commissioner for the Prince Edward Island Electoral Boundaries Commission which produced a new electoral map for the province, reduced the number of seats in the Legislature from 32 to 27, and eliminated the dual member system. From 1999 to 2000, he served as Leader of the Opposition.
Paul Connolly received his primary education at Queen Square School. Later he attended Birchwood High School. Connolly graduated from St. Dunstan’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1968. In 1971 he graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Education. A teacher by profession, Connolly has been involved in adult education at Holland College, and has worked at all levels within this institution, having served at different times as instructor, head instructor, chairman, and principal. While at the senior management level, he chaired a number of Holland College committees, one of which was a committee to revise the College Admissions Policy. Connolly presently is a member of the National Parole Board of Canada.
Connolly served on the Maritime Municipal and Training Development Board, was public education chair for the Canadian Heart Foundation, was a camp director for summer camp programs for mentally challenged children, and was a president of the University of Prince Edward Island Panther Booster Club. For three years he w'as a member of the board of directors of United Way. In 2000 and 2001 he was a co-chair of the Canadian Mental Health Golf Classic. Paul Connolly and his family reside in Charlottetown.
Etta Connolly is the daughter of Willard and Blanche MacLean of Peters Road., CPG 1998-1999.