Binns was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, and graduated from the University of Alberta in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1971, he earned a Master of Arts in Community Development while working for the government of Alberta as a community development officer. In 1972, Binns began working for the Prince Edward Island Rural Development Council and met and married Carol MacMillan of Stratford, PEI. While working for the P.E.I. government from 1974 to 1978, Binns helped create and run the Regional Service Centres in the province's east. In 1978, he received the Queen's Silver of Jubilee for Outstanding Public Service.