Statement by Robert Henderson, MLA for District 25: O’Leary–Inverness
Opposition Critic for Energy

Over the coming days, Prince Edward Island is expected to experience extreme winter weather. Forecasts are calling for windchill values approaching minus 35 in some areas, along with the potential for a significant snowstorm that could bring 20 centimetres of snow or more early in the week. This is a moment that requires us to pause and seriously ask whether we are truly prepared.

Last week, Maritime Electric warned Islanders that we are at a cautionary stage and that rolling brownouts are a real possibility. That warning alone is concerning. There has already been at least 3 days this winter where we’ve near hit capacity.

What has added to the anxiety is what many Islanders heard during the recent Conservative leadership debate. Former premier and rumoured frontrunner Rob Lantz suggested that Islanders prepare by “not doing their laundry on Friday” and that “most of you can use the gas generator in your shed.”

The reality is that most Islanders do not have generators nor do they have easy access to one. That is not a plan. If this reflects the Conservative government’s approach to energy preparedness and resilience, then serious questions need to be answered.

As we head into this period of extreme weather, I encourage all Islanders to take every precaution possible and to look out for one another. At the same time, I am calling on the Conservative government and its leadership candidates to do better. After a year of government on autopilot, Islanders are paying the price and that is simply not acceptable.