Morrissey, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 1982 general election for 1st Prince. He was re-elected in the 1986, 1989, and 1993 elections. He was re-elected in the 1996 election in the new electoral district of Tignish-Deblois. On May 2, 1986, Morrissey was appointed to the Executive Council of Prince Edward Island as Minister of Transportation and Public Works. He became Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for the Prince Edward Island Development Agency in 1989 and was also named Minister Responsible for the redevelopment of CFB Summerside and the community following the base closure by the federal government. On April 15, 1993, Morrissey was named Minister of Economic Development and Tourism and Minister Responsible for Enterprise PEI. Following the 1996 general election, he held the positions of Opposition House Leader and Opposition critic for finance. While a Member, Morrissey served on the Standing Committee on Privileges, Rules and Private Bills, and the Standing Committee on Community Affairs and Economic Development. He was the chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Morrissey did not reoffer for the 2000 general election.
Federal politics
In November 2007, Morrissey was nominated as the Liberal candidate in Egmont for the 2008 Canadian federal election, following the retirement of Liberal MP Joe McGuire. However, he withdrew his candidacy on August 5, 2008, choosing instead to return to the private sector. On November 22, 2014, Morrissey was nominated as the Liberal candidate in Egmont, for the 2015 federal election. On October 19, 2015, Morrissey won the election, defeating Conservative incumbent Gail Shea and New Democrat candidate Herb Dickieson.
Private career
Prior to entering politics in 1982 was employed in the fishery. Since 2000, Consultant specializing in corporate/government relations, fisheries, labor market, and community development. President of PFI Group and President of Global Food Technologies. Director of Royal Star Investments.
Community involvement
Morrissey served as a trustee of the Unit 1 School Board and was Chair of West Prince Community Advisory Board. He was also vice-chair of the Parish Council of St. Simon and St. Jude, and an organizer of the Tignish Irish Moss Festival prior to his election in 1982. Since 2000, he has served as a Board Member of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of PEI, was a founding member, President and treasurer of the Tignish Seniors Home Care Co-op, a member of the building and fundraising committees of the Credit Union Arena located in Tignish, and is Vice Chair of Tignish Special Needs Housing. Member of the Advisory Board to Holland College West Prince Campus.
