Former Premier J. Angus MacLean was honoured today by the Government of Prince Edward Island.
At a ceremony at Province House, Premier Binns dedicated the Province House Annex, more commonly known as 180 Richmond Street, as the J. Angus MacLean Building. Members of the MacLean family, including Mr. MacLean's widow Gwen, were on hand for the special ceremony.
"Governments in this province, from time to time, reserve a special honour for outstanding individuals who have contributed significantly, not only to our way of life, but to our quality of life. Angus MacLean is one such individual and by dedicating this building to his legacy we are honouring a great Islander," said Premier Binns.
Known to many as simply "Angus," MacLean devoted his life to the service of his country and province. First elected to the House of Commons in 1957, MacLean was re-elected nine subsequent times. He served capably as Minister of Fisheries from 1957 to 1963.
He returned to Prince Edward Island and was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1977. He was re-elected in 1978 and 1979 and sworn in as Premier of Prince Edward Island and President of the Executive Council on May 3, 1979.
Premier Binns indicated, however, that while J. Angus MacLean had a lengthy and distinguished political career, he should be remembered as a war hero.
MacLean was posted overseas during World War II and, in his 1998 biography Making It Home, he documented his European exploits avoiding capture after his plane was shot down over Holland following a bombing raid. For his heroic achievements during and following the raid, King George VI presented him with the Distinguished Flying Cross at Buckingham Palace.
The J. Angus MacLean Building stands on land opposite the Provincial Legislature, forming the corner of Great George and Richmond streets. In 1872, the Union Bank began construction of the existing brick building on land once owned by General Edmund Fanning, the second Governor of the Island of St. John. The building was designed by architect Thomas Alley and includes features of the Italian style popular at the time.
The provincial government acquired the building in 1939 from Charlottetown exporter Frank B. Clark, and it has been used since that time to house various government and non-government office operations over the years. Current occupants are the Public Service Commission's Learning Centre and Elections PEI.