Catherine Sophia Callbeck CM OPEI (born July 25, 1939) is a retired Canadian politician and the current and ninth Chancellor of the University of Prince Edward Island.
Callbeck returned to politics in 1988 when she was elected to the federal House of Commons as an MP for the Liberal Party of Canada.
Callbeck was premier at the same time as the other three most important public offices in the province were also held by women: Elizabeth II was Sovereign in Prince Edward Island, Marion Reid was the Lieutenant Governor, and Patricia Mella was the Leader of the Official Opposition.
In addition, the two most elected senior roles within the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island were held by women during Callbeck's time in office: Nancy Guptill was Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island and Elizabeth Hubley as Deputy Speaker.
Spurred by new investments in food processing, manufacturing, aerospace and information technology, the rate of economic growth between 1993 and 1996 was the second highest in Canada.
Coming into office, the Callbeck government pledged to bring the high budget deficit under control.
Through a combination of rising revenues due to the stronger economy, and what a national accounting firm called one of the most aggressive deficit-cutting strategies in the country, the Callbeck government brought in a surplus budget in 1995–96.
In keeping with Callbeck's commitment to strengthen social programs, new investments were made in health and education.
Callbeck's time in office saw the beginning of construction of the Confederation Bridge linking Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.
On September 22, 1997, Callbeck was appointed to the Senate of Canada by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.