In a country loaded with conservative leaders who are shy about combating over-immigration, former Prince Edward Island premier Dennis King was a rarity. He saw that numbers were too high, so he lowered them — and he didn’t cower when cries of protest broke out afterwards.

When he resigned on Friday, ending his six-year premiership on a high note, he left the world of Canadian conservatism a model to emulate when it comes to standing one’s ground: be honest, be frank and, above all, don’t be a coward.