Lawrence MacAulay

Lawrence MacAulay
MacAulay in 2016
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
In office
July 26, 2023  March 14, 2025
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byMarie-Claude Bibeau
Succeeded byKody Blois
In office
November 4, 2015  March 1, 2019
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byGerry Ritz
Succeeded byMarie-Claude Bibeau
Minister of Veterans Affairs
Associate Minister of National Defence
In office
March 1, 2019  July 26, 2023
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byJody Wilson-Raybould
Succeeded byGinette Petitpas Taylor
Solicitor General of Canada
In office
November 23, 1998  October 22, 2002
Prime MinisterJean Chrétien
Preceded byAndy Scott
Succeeded byWayne Easter
Minister of Labour
In office
June 11, 1997  November 23, 1998
Prime MinisterJean Chrétien
Preceded byAlfonso Gagliano
Succeeded byClaudette Bradshaw
Member of Parliament
for Cardigan
In office
November 21, 1988  April 28, 2025
Preceded byPat Binns
Succeeded byKent MacDonald
Personal details
Born (1946-09-09) September 9, 1946
St. Peters Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Political partyLiberal
ResidenceSt. Peters Bay
Profession
  • Politician
  • farmer

Lawrence A. MacAulay PC (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. 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). 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.

On November 4, 2015, he was appointed the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food by the new prime minister Justin Trudeau. 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.

On March 1, 2025, MacAulay announced he wouldn't be seeking re-election in 2025 for Cardigan.

MacAulay lives in Midgell, Prince Edward Island with his wife, Frances.