| Honorific prefix | The Honourable |
|---|---|
| Office | Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food |
| Term start | July 26, 2023 |
| Term end | March 14, 2025 |
| Prime minister | Justin Trudeau |
| Predecessor | Marie-Claude Bibeau |
| Successor | Kody Blois |
| Term start 1 | November 4, 2015 |
| Term end 1 | March 1, 2019 |
| Prime minister 1 | Justin Trudeau |
| Predecessor 1 | Gerry Ritz |
| Successor 1 | Marie-Claude Bibeau |
| Office 2 | Minister of Veterans Affairs Associate Minister of National Defence |
| Term start 2 | March 1, 2019 |
| Term end 2 | July 26, 2023 |
| Prime minister 2 | Justin Trudeau |
| Predecessor 2 | Jody Wilson-Raybould |
| Successor 2 | Ginette Petitpas Taylor |
| Office 4 | Solicitor General of Canada |
| Term start 4 | November 23, 1998 |
| Term end 4 | October 22, 2002 |
| Prime minister 4 | Jean Chrétien |
| Predecessor 4 | Andy Scott |
| Successor 4 | Wayne Easter |
| Office 5 | Minister of Labour |
| Term start 5 | June 11, 1997 |
| Term end 5 | November 23, 1998 |
| Prime minister 5 | Jean Chrétien |
| Predecessor 5 | Alfonso Gagliano |
| Successor 5 | Claudette Bradshaw |
| Riding 6 | Cardigan |
| Parliament 6 | Canadian |
| Term start 6 | November 21, 1988 |
| Term end 6 | April 28, 2025 |
| Predecessor 6 | Pat Binns |
| Successor 6 | Kent MacDonald |
| Birth date | September 9, 1946 (age 80) |
| Birth place | St. Peters Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada |
| Profession | Politician · farmer |
| Party | Liberal |
Lawrence A. MacAulay (born September 9, 1946) is a Canadian politician, who represented the riding of Cardigan, Prince Edward Island in the House of Commons from 1988 until 2025.
On June 11, 1997, he joined the cabinet of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien as Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Prince Edward Island. In 1998, he was appointed Solicitor General of Canada and served in that role until his resignation from Cabinet on October 21, 2002, during a conflict of interest inquiry.[1] MacAuley served as a Liberal backbench member of Parliament (MP) through the rest of the Liberal years in power and as an opposition member during the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper (2006–2015). He is the former Secretary of State (Veterans) and Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).[2] He was also the Official Opposition Critic for Seniors.
On March 20, 2014, MacAulay became the longest-serving MP in the history of Prince Edward Island, surpassing the record previously set by Angus MacLean.[2]
On November 4, 2015, he was appointed the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food by the new prime minister Justin Trudeau.[3] On March 1, 2019, Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, appointing MacAulay as Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. On July 26, 2023, Trudeau shuffled his cabinet, appointing MacAulay as Minister of Agriculture for the second time.[4]
On March 1, 2025, MacAulay announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election in 2025 for Cardigan.[5]
MacAulay lives in Midgell, Prince Edward Island with his wife, Frances.
Controversy
In December 2022, MacAulay was confronted in parliament by other MPs on multiple reports of Veterans Affairs Canada offering medical assistance in dying (MAID) to veterans seeking medical care. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the incidents as "absolutely unacceptable".[6]
References
- ^ "Profile"
- ^ Sharratt, Steve (March 20, 2014). "Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay breaks political record". The Charlottetown Guardian. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
- ^ "Full list of Justin Trudeau's cabinet 31-member cabinet includes 15 women, attempt at regional balance". CBC News. 2015-11-04.
- ^ "'Trudeau overhauls his cabinet, drops 7 ministers and shuffles most portfolios". cbc.ca. 2023-07-26.
- ^ McKenna, Kate (March 1, 2025). "After 11 election wins, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay is retiring". CBC News
- ^ "'Doesn't line up': MPs challenge minister over instances of MAID offered to veterans". ctvnews.ca. 2022-12-05.