In 2003, Dr. Laura Campbell was hired by the Department of Health to provide counseling services to Islanders. Dr. Campbell has a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She is one of very few clinical psychologists on Prince Edward Island.
In 2007, Dr. Michael Mayne agreed to join the Provincial Government as Deputy Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning. Dr. Mayne has a Ph.D. in molecular biology. Dr. Mayne is a former medical school professor and Director of the National Research Council Institute of Nutrisciences and Health. His background uniquely suits him to guiding the modernization of government’s approach to Island economic development.
The couple have three children under the age of seven.
The Maynes are a tremendous asset to Prince Edward Island – and although they have the skills and qualifications to work anywhere in the world, I am very pleased they have chosen to devote their professional lives to our province.
In recent days, Conservative MLA Mike Currie has chosen to attack this family through unfounded and baseless accusation.
These are the facts:
• Laura Campbell accepted a one-year position in the private sector. In this capacity, Dr. Campbell will provide counseling services to Islanders who want to enter or re-enter the work force. In so doing, Dr. Campbell has taken a reduction in compensation because she believes this one-year project will offer a valuable service to many Islanders. After her one-year leave of absence from the public sector, Dr. Campbell hopes to return to her position at the Department of Health. Dr. Campbell won her one-year position after a competition that was publicly and nationally advertised.
• As a professional public servant, Michael Mayne removed himself from any involvement in his wife’s career. And given Dr. Campbell’s professional and educational background, such spousal involvement is clearly unnecessary.
Instead of establishing any facts, Mr. Currie has chosen to smear and attack a young Island couple that is dedicated to public service. Perhaps Mr. Currie needs to recognize the fact that he lives in the 21st century – and understand that women can have careers independent of their husbands.
Several months ago, Mr. Currie pleaded guilty to assault. Immediately after the assault, Mr. Currie publicly defended himself by saying he was angry that an individual had raised questions about his wife.
It is clear now that Mr. Currie’s distaste for unsubstantiated smear against family is reserved entirely for himself.
I trust Mr. Currie will reflect on his actions and take whatever steps are necessary to address the effects of his political bitterness and subsequent attack on an Island family.