Marion Reid was a trailblazer in politics and in life. For ten years she served as a PC MLA in the governments of Premier Angus J. MacLean and Premier Jim Lee, representing the riding of 1st Queens, serving from 1979 to 1989.
Marion was the first female to serve as Deputy Speaker and later she was the first female elected to be Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. She will be remembered for being a part of the “PEI Famous Five” photo, where the top 5 legislative positions were held by women for the first time in Canadian history. In 1990, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney named Marion to be Prince Edward Island’s first female Lieutenant-Governor.
Throughout her life and her career in politics, Marion Reid was a passionate champion of literacy and land use. She served as a shining example for future generations of Island women and aspiring politicians.
On behalf of the PEI PC Party, I want to extend our thanks for Marion Reid’s service and offer our condolences to her family and friends mourning her passing today.