Statement from Liberal Leader Robert Mitchell on Premier Lantz’s decision to avoid accountability by proroguing the Legislature

For over a year, the Government of Prince Edward Island has been at a standstill. Premier Lantz and his Conservative backroom have been consumed with changing party rules, leveraging government resources for self-promotion, and staging a leadership contest he narrowly survived.

While they focused inward, Islanders were left waiting.

We are living through one of the most challenging periods in our province’s history. Families are struggling with rising costs. Our health-care system is stretched to its limits. Our energy system needs major attention. Our oyster and aquaculture sector is under real pressure. We need policy changes to better protect Island students. Islanders are worried about their economic security and what the future holds.

When Premier Lantz won the leadership, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Islanders deserved stability. They deserved a reset. And part of me believed we might get one.

Instead, Islanders are getting more of the same and that should concern us all.

Today’s decision to prorogue the Legislature — the second time in a year — is unprecedented in modern Island history. It is yet another example of a Premier choosing political preservation over accountability. There is enough uncertainty in this province without the Premier adding to it.

The Legislative Assembly is where government answers to the people. Our team was prepared to return next week ready to press for action on affordability, health care, school safety, managing our ballooning debt and deficit and the protection of our land. Instead, the Premier has once again pulled the plug on accountability.

This pattern is deeply troubling.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again: government is not a plaything for Premier Lantz. The disrespect shown to the Legislature and to Islanders should not be accepted. From appointing a Minister to Cabinet under a cloud of conflict-of-interest concerns, to stretching last year’s part-time premiership well beyond a reasonable timeline — this government and this Premier have disregarded the standards Islanders expect and deserve. That is not who we are as Islanders. Islanders believe in hard work, accountability, and showing up. They expect their leaders to do the same.

Premier Lantz, it’s time to get back to work. Prince Edward Island cannot afford another lost year.