Official Opposition announces priorities and critic roles ahead of spring session

Healthcare, school safety and the cost of living are among the key priorities for the Official Opposition as the spring sitting of the Provincial Legislature is set to open this week. 

“Islanders expect their elected officials to show up, do the work, and be accountable,” said Robert Mitchell, Leader of the PEI Liberal Party. “That’s exactly what we intend to do this session: ask the tough questions and push for better results.”

As the Liberal team gets ready to go back to the Legislature for the spring after being prorogued for a month, Mitchell stated that the following issues will form the key priorities for the Official Opposition:

• Healthcare: Driving action to reduce wait times, expand primary care access, and stabilize a front-line workforce stretched to its limit.
• School Safety: Demanding immediate action to address violence and bullying in Island schools, as well as stronger supports in place for educators and staff.
• Affordability: Addressing the growing cost of living pressure on Island families. 
• Fiscal Responsibility: Calling for disciplined spending, clear priorities, and a transparent path to manage the growing debt and deficit. 
• Energy Security & Cost Stability: Pushing for a real plan to secure reliable energy while protecting Islanders from rising power costs.
• Support for Fisheries & Oyster Industry: Standing with fishers, growers and processors facing the impacts of climate change and MSX/Dermo in demanding meaningful government assistance.
• Transparency & Accountability: Requiring government to be upfront with Islanders—no more surprise delays or decisions made behind closed doors.

As part of plans to advocate for Islanders, Mitchell also outlined the legislation the Liberal Caucus plans to table during the spring sitting:

• Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act: This new piece of legislation creates a procedure whereby someone can apply to a police service and sign an undertaking to be informed as to whether their intimate partner may pose a “low”, “moderate” or “high” safety risk to them based on the information available to police.
• An Act to Amend the Child, Youth and Family Services Act: These proposed amendments would incorporate a “runaway clause”  - if a child has withdrawn from the custody of their parents without consent, and the child’s safety or well-being is or is likely to be endangered, Child Protection or police may apply to a court for a warrant authorizing the Director or police to bring the child home (or if home is not safe, to a place of safety).
• An Act to Amend the Planning Act (No. 2): These proposed amendments would require that the Minister respond to either approve or deny a municipality’s official plan or bylaw changes within 60 days of receiving the submission, ensuring better accountability and responsiveness from Government so that Island municipalities can continue to plan for the future. 

Following the Cabinet shuffle which took place on February 12, the Official Opposition has also updated its critic responsibilities accordingly, as follows: 

• Hon. Hal Perry: Premier’s Office; Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy; Finance; Intergovernmental Affairs
• Robert Henderson: Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism; Land and Environment; Agriculture, Justice and Public Safety; Indigenous Affairs
• Gord McNeilly: Health and Wellness; Housing and Communities; Workforce and Advanced Learning; Acadian and Francophone Affairs; Diversity 
• Carolyn Simpson: Education and Early Years; Economic Development, Trade and Artificial Intelligence; Social Development and Seniors; Status of Women

“Islanders deserve a government that listens and delivers,” Mitchell said. “Our Liberal team will be there every step of the way to ask tough questions, hold government accountable, and work toward a better future for Prince Edward Island.”