[2] Binns has a long history of public service, most notably being the 30th Premier of PEI for 11 years, during which time he was the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island.
[4][5] In 1972, Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council[6] and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI.
[6] Binns entered the provincial PC Party leadership race to succeed Patricia Mella in 1996 and won a convincing first ballot victory on May 5[6] over Charlottetown businessman Wes MacAleer and O'Leary Veterinarian Dr. Gary Morgan.
Binns campaigned on a platform of strengthening health care and education, encouraging economic development, and energizing communities.
Binns' won a second mandate in 2000 when his PC Party swept 26 of 27 seats, leaving a single opposition Liberal in the legislature.
Investments continued in education and health care for extensive school construction and repair, creation of the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre in Charlottetown and Prince County Hospital in Summerside.
Under the leadership of Binns the PC Party won its third consecutive majority government, becoming the first Conservative Premier to accomplish this feat in over a century.
Unpredictability in federal equalization, coupled with rising health care and energy costs and weakness in the primary and tourism sectors, put pressure on provincial finances.
Binns sought an unprecedented fourth term majority during the 2007 provincial election, running on a policy of continued good governance and job creation, pointing to the Island's increased prosperity under his tenure.
The Leader of the Official Opposition Robert Ghiz ran a campaign centred on the theme of change, as well as promising increased funding to health care and post-secondary education while reducing gasoline and property taxes.
In 2010 Binns accepted an appointment in Boston, Massachusetts as Canadian Consul General to New England, replacing Neil LeBlanc.
[4] Binns has six grandchildren, Kristen, Andrew, Olivia, Jackson, Elodie and Lachlan[4] and resides with his wife Carol on the family farm in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island.