Mike has spent the last 15 years serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, both in Government and in Opposition. From this experience, Mike has learned first hand that it is much easier to deliver results for his constituents while sitting in Government benches.
Mike was PEI’s Minister of Transportation & Public Works from 1996 to 2000 and Minister of Development & Technology from 2000 to 2007. Mike has also served as the Minister responsible for PEI Business Inc., Technology PEI, the PEI Food Technology Centre and the PEI Liquor Control Commission.
As a member of the Government of Prince Edward Island, Mike introduced aggressive tax reforms and incentives that helped create jobs in the Island economy. He also fostered the growth of the bioscience and aerospace industries and helped to deliver the Atlantic Technology Centre and National Research Centre to PEI.
Mike has been a member of the Healthy Child Development Board and the Community Development Bursary. He was also Vice-Chair of the Treasury Board and a member of Standing Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, Fisheries, Inter-governmental Affairs and Transportation.
Mike has represented District 2, Georgetown – St. Peters as a Member of the Official Opposition since 2007. In this role he has served as the Opposition Critic for Telecommunications, Economic Development & Technology, Transportation & Public Works, Energy & Communities and Cultural Affairs & Labour.
Before serving as an MLA, Mike owned and operated Currie Fuels in Georgetown, PEI for eighteen years. He has been a member of the Cardigan Village Commission and served on the Board of Directors of Eastern Ventures and on the Cardigan Recreation Committee.
Mike is a member of the Standardbred Association of Canada and enjoys time in the barn with horses. He is a former Canadian Rowing Champion and Canada Games Coach and during summer months, he can often be found on the Cardigan River with his wife, Christine (Shepherd). Mike and Christine reside in Cardigan and have two children and two grandchildren.
