New Speaker, Old Challenges: PEI Legislature's Spring Sitting

0:00It's March 28. I'm Cory with the Story. This is Canada News Today, driven by AI. Prince Edward Island's legislature kicked off its spring-sitting this week with a fresh face in the speaker's chair. Brad Trivers, the MLA from Rustico Emerald, won the secret ballot vote from his colleagues. Lieutenant Governor Dr. Waseem Salamone then laid out the throne speech, covering everything from global shifts to federal goals and boosting local communities. The session got delayed by a month while they nailed down the operating budget, which should drop in April. Premier Rob Lance's government highlighted ongoing affordability steps, including $20,000 for family starting fertility treatments. Opposition voices weren't holding back. Liberal leader Robert Mitchell hit the speech for skipping cost of living woes that islanders keep raising door-to-door. Green leader Matt McFarland called out seven years of stalled progress on healthcare access, electricity rates, and land protection, while new NDP.

1:01Leader Thomas Burley pushed for urgent fixes in primary care and long-term care. The island's primary care is among the nation's toughest, with just 73.1% of adults and 77.7% of. Kids having a regular provider. Over 33,500 folks wait for a doctor or nurse practitioner. Children's plan at least three bills, like one stabilizing long-term care rates, and Burley wants aid for oyster harvesters battling diseases plus. Better rural internet and cell service. As debates heat up, expect the budget to spark more fireworks on these homegrown pressures, keeping the focus on real fixes for islanders.