Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, October 7, 2026 – The Honourable Brad Trivers, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island, is pleased to announce a lecture series hosted at the newly restored Province House to mark the 175th anniversary of Responsible Government in Prince Edward Island.
For the first nine decades of British colonial rule, executive power on Prince Edward Island was held by officials appointed by the Crown. These officials were not accountable to locally elected representatives. This changed in 1851, when Executive Council became responsible to the locally elected House of Assembly.
To commemorate this anniversary, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is holding the following lecture series.
Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
“Province House’s Restoration”
Brian Willis, Province House Site-Based Project Manager
Willis has been involved with the Province House Conservation Project since 2017, serving as construction site superintendent and heritage conservation specialist before stepping into the role of onsite project manager. In his lecture, Willis will discuss the conservation of the Province House National Historic Site.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
“Elections and Responsible Government”
Dr. Don Desserud, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. Desserud’s research interests include parliaments and legislative assemblies, and he frequently comments on local and national political issues in the media. In his lecture, he will address responsible government’s impact on Island elections.
Thursday, December 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
“Arrival of Responsible Government”
Dr. Edward MacDonald, Professor Emeritus, Department of History and Classics, University of Prince Edward Island
Dr. MacDonald is the pre-eminent scholar of Island history, having spent decades researching, writing, and teaching in the field. In his lecture, he will explain the history of the Island's achievement of responsible government.
Location: 1st Floor Theatre, Province House, 165 Richmond Street, Charlottetown