Former P.E.I. Premier Named UNB Chancellor
FREDERICTON – Wade MacLauchlan will be the University of New Brunswick’s next chancellor.
MacLauchlan has been a law professor, the president of the University of Prince Edward Island, but is best known for his time as premier of P.E.I., from 2015 to 2019.
He was named leader of the provincial Liberal party, and premier of P.E.I., in early 2015, despite being considered by many an inexperienced political outsider.
MacLauchlan’s rise to P.E.I’s top political office helped him make history as the first openly gay man and the first member of the Order of Canada to become premier.
During his time as premier, MacLauchlan courted controversy by cutting teaching positions and funding to some arts organizations. He also oversaw a period of strong economic and population growth on the Island, and his government helped advance women’s rights when in 2017, a women’s wellness centre opened at Prince County Hospital.
After four years as premier, MacLauchlan’s Liberal party was walloped in an April 2019 general election, when the Liberals lost their 12-year majority reign and were reduced to third-party status.
MacLauchlan also lost his own seat in that election and announced he would step down as party leader just a few days later.
Before entering politics, MacLauchlan served as president of the University of Prince Edward Island from 1999-2011. During that time, he helped transform the university and the institution saw significant growth in enrolment, research activity, philanthropic support, and infrastructure.
MacLauchlan also served as UNB’s dean of law from 1991 to 1996. Aside from his UNB law degree, he earned a business administration degree from UPEI, and a master of law degree from Yale University.
In a statement announcing MacLauchlan’s appointment as UNB chancellor, UNB President Paul Mazerolle said he “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will have significant positive impacts and opportunities for our university and the province of New Brunswick.”
MacLauchlan’s term as chancellor will begin July 2, 2023, and the official installation will take place at UNB’s convocations in October.