Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly, Friday 8 May 2026
On Friday, 8 May 2026, the PEI Legislative Assembly opened with member greetings, including a welcome to a Bluefield High School political studies class, Mother's Day wishes, and recognition of Marie Kenny's election as world president of the Associated Country Women of the World, alongside members' statements honouring Dr. Olive Bryanton, raising youth mental health concerns, and criticizing the delay in budget debate. Following Question Period—which focused on health care, seniors' programs, French language supports, education funding, and the NHL tourism deal—ministers marked Family Violence Prevention Week and announced a new PreVenture mental health pilot for grade 8 students. The House then proceeded into Committee of the Whole on the estimates for the Department of Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism, examining seafood services, marine fisheries, aquaculture, rural and regional development, sport and recreation, cultural history and heritage, and the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. Debate continued through the estimates for Tourism PEI, covering corporate services, operations, parks, ski park operations, and provincial golf courses, before the committee reported progress and the House adjourned until Tuesday, May 12.
Members' Statements
Dr. Olive Bryanton – Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Awards
M. MacKay
MacKay recognized Dr. Olive Bryanton, who earned her PhD at UPEI at age 82, for being honoured as a recipient of the inaugural Top 7 Over 70 Atlantic Awards on May 14th and for her advocacy for rural women and seniors.
Youth Mental Health
G. McNeilly
McNeilly marked Mental Health Week and cited alarming Compass survey statistics on Island youth loneliness, depression, anxiety, bullying, and discomfort at school, urging the government to act before more young people fall through the cracks.
Prioritizing Budget Debate
Hon. H. Perry
The Opposition Leader criticized the government for shutting down the Legislature, delaying the budget, and showing no urgency to debate it, pointing to projected deficits of $450 million this year and $410 million next year.
Routine Proceedings
Family Violence Prevention Week statement
Hon. B. Ramsay
The Minister of Social Development and Seniors recognized Family Violence Prevention Week (May 11-17) with the theme 'Supporting intergenerational resilience in our communities,' noting Wednesday May 13 is Wear Purple Day and pointing to resources at stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca.
Responses to Family Violence Prevention Week statement
Multiple
C. Simpson, K. Bernard, and other members thanked the minister, cited statistics on partner violence, and acknowledged organizations such as Anderson House, Blooming House, Chief Mary Bernard Shelter, and Shelter Movers.
PreVenture Pilot Program statement
Hon. C. Deagle
During National Mental Health Week, the Minister of Health announced the launch of the PreVenture pilot, an evidence-based prevention program to promote mental health and prevent substance use, reaching approximately 300 grade 8 students across English and French school boards.
Responses to PreVenture announcement
Multiple
G. McNeilly urged the minister to consult young people directly, and M. MacFarlane welcomed the program but pressed government to fund it properly, citing cuts to pedagogy supports and the mental health alliance and referencing the Atlantic Summer Institute's Health in All Policies approach.
Tabling of documents on early childhood pedagogical support cuts
C. Simpson
The Member for Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park tabled by leave a non-anonymous social media post, a letter from the UPSE president, and two letters confirming 50 percent cuts to pedagogical support staff dated April 28, all addressing reductions in early childhood education support.
Tabling of document alleging political interference
Hon. R. Croucher
The Minister of Education and Early Years tabled by leave a non-anonymous document by a Liberal staffer and centre owner linking to a petition from liberalpei.ca, referencing his earlier comments about political interference and manipulation.
Orders of the Day
Motion to resolve into Committee of the Whole on Estimates
Hon. D. Compton
The Minister of Land and Environment moved that the first order of the day be read and that the House resolve into Committee of the Whole to consider the grant of supply, which carried; S. Dillon took the chair.
Estimates — Seafood Services
Multiple
With director of finance Stephen Mutch as stranger, R. Henderson questioned significant grant cuts and the role of Versatile Management Group (contracted for PEI seafood social media), and M. MacFarlane, K. Bernard and others discussed grant distribution amid the oyster industry's challenges, mussel and oyster market promotion funding, and the climate action policy coordinator position; the section carried at $987,400.
Estimates — Marine Fisheries and Regulatory Services
Multiple
R. Henderson questioned grant cuts to the future fisher program and demand from new fishers, while M. MacFarlane pressed on the 28-year lobster monitoring program, research reports, and DFO data-sharing; discussion also covered lobster carapace size increases and their effect on catches, with Henderson urging the minister to lead advocacy for uniform carapace sizes across LFAs. The section carried at $749,900 and total Marine Fisheries and Seafood Services at $1,737,300.
Estimates — Aquaculture
Multiple
R. Henderson questioned why grants to a struggling aquaculture industry were underspent, with the minister and Stephen Mutch explaining savings from dredging allocations (a federal responsibility) and no uptake on the future shellfisher program; discussion continued on the $100,000 oyster processor dredging at Bayview Channel, Raspberry Point/Malpeque dredging, and the shellfish enhancement program.
Aquaculture estimates - Shellfish Association and oyster seed importation
Multiple
R. Henderson questioned Minister Hudson on shellfish enhancement funding ($126,000), whether the Shellfish Association would get access to imported American oyster seed, and whether the minister had provided provincial support to CFIA for the importation; Hudson said seed approval is a federal CFIA jurisdiction following a risk assessment application by Atlantic Aqua, and declined to confirm details Henderson claimed to have.
Aquaculture estimates - organizational funding and $5.9M contingency
Multiple
Henderson pressed on continuing organizational funding for the Shellfish Association and Aquaculture Alliance and on how the announced $5.9 million contingency fund would be allocated to the oyster industry; Hudson confirmed continued support and referenced funding for oyster processors, but said allocation details of the $5.9M were 'stay tuned.'
Aquaculture estimates - grant decreases, lab purchase, and staffing
Multiple
M. MacFarlane questioned decreases in grants (from $1.3M to $872,000) and a quarter-million reduction; Stephen Mutch explained these were largely unused prior-year funding (dredging, waste reduction) rather than direct cuts, and that the administration increase was tied to a newly purchased aquaculture lab (including property taxes) that consolidates existing staff with no net new positions. The Aquaculture section carried at $2,250,800.
Rural and Regional Development estimates - grant reductions and church heat pump program
Multiple
R. Henderson questioned the roughly $1 million cut to rural development grants; Hudson and Mutch explained reductions came from the winding-down of a $200,000 places-of-worship heat pump program and a $1.25M reception centre resiliency program, noting demand had dropped after covering about 75 percent of churches.
Rural and Regional Development estimates - consultant services, grant communication, and northside windmill program
Multiple
M. MacFarlane asked about consultant services (community space directory online tool), how grants are communicated to applicants (application-based via ~five community development officers), and the northside windmill enhancement program; Mutch agreed to bring back applicant numbers and successful applicants for the windmill program.
Rural and Regional Development estimates - grant diversity, maximum funding, and eligibility
Multiple
K. Bernard explored the diversity of funded groups, maximum funding amounts (rural growth initiative $7M this year; large projects 50% up to $2M, small projects 75% up to $250,000), Youth on Board, ATV clubs, playgrounds, and farmer's markets; Mutch and Hudson explained eligibility and encouraged organizations to work with community development officers.
Rural and Regional Development estimates - member praise for rural growth initiative
S. MacEwen
S. MacEwen praised the rural growth initiative as a key fund for rural PEI, thanked staff and successive governments for increases, and highlighted the Youth on Board program; Hudson noted the budget grew from about half a million in 2017-18. The section carried at $8,587,300.
Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity estimates - professional services and Safe Sport
Multiple
M. MacFarlane questioned a consulting fee (website design for Team PEI Canada Games and EDI work by Chrysalis Human Rights Agency), the $59,300 professional services line potentially funding a combative sport commissioner, and a grants decrease attributed to a more accurate ($200,000 vs $290,000) estimate of Safe Sport costs administered by Sport PEI.
Sport estimates - Special Olympics, bilateral agreement, and swimming lessons
Multiple
MacFarlane asked about Special Olympics funding ($28,000 via bilateral agreement), the bilateral agreement total (~$1.2M covering many organizations), amateur sport organization amounts based on organization size, and the government's outstanding free swimming lessons commitment; Mutch agreed to bring back details on the swimming lessons contribution.
Sport estimates - EDI in sport governance
Multiple
G. McNeilly asked about equity work; Mutch explained an EDI lens was applied to sport governance in work between John Morrison and anti-racism coordinator Omar Broderick, to be implemented across provincial sport organizations. Hudson agreed to make findings public.
Sport estimates - Sport PEI, KidSport, Recreation PEI funding
Multiple
G. McNeilly questioned funding levels for Sport PEI (small $6,400 increase), KidSport ($450,000/year), and Recreation PEI (three-year contract with 2%/$10,000 annual increases expiring March 2027), and the exercise programs line ($112,000 for a free virtual program for Islanders with six chronic diseases led by Katie Beck); McNeilly praised the chronic disease exercise program.
Sport estimates - Rustico Arena, funding maximums, school and specific sport funding
Multiple
K. Bernard asked about the chronic disease exercise program, potential funding for the Eliyahu Wellness Centre/Rustico Arena (none through this section), maximum funding available, and funding for school sports and specific sports like Lacrosse (Island Oaks Junior B team); Mutch noted funding is application-based and school sports run through Education.
Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity estimates
Multiple
Members questioned funding for sport events, grants (including the Buckets and Borders basketball facility, Sport Law Inc. for the Safe Sport program), promotion of women and elite female athletes, and an individual grant recipient for a wrestling project; the section carried at a total of $4,457,000.
Cultural History and Heritage estimates
Multiple
Members discussed the apparent grants decrease (attributed to a budget realignment after transfer from another department), paleontology and heritage consultant contracts, travel and training increases, databases of heritage sites, and the discontinuation of a federal heritage site; the section carried at $356,800.
PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation estimates
Multiple
Discussion covered support for a provincial museum and new collections facility (capital), summer staffing through the foundation, break-even grants, reallocation of a digitization grant to permanent positions, funding for a Bog memorial structure (capital), and shout-outs to staff at Orwell Corner; the section carried at $2,266,200, completing the Department of Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism total of $20,630,500.
Tourism PEI – Corporate Services estimates
Multiple
After a short recess, members began Tourism PEI estimates, clarifying that Confederation Trail maintenance falls under Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy and that sponsorship arrangements appear under Advertising and Public Relations; Corporate Services carried at $440,000.
Operations and Industry Investment estimates
Multiple
Members questioned reductions to the grants line, including a $350,000 cut to the innovation fund and reduced seasonal extension grants to six regional tourism associations, plus the beach program grants and washroom needs at West Point/Cedar Dunes and the Confederation Trail; the total was $4,480,000.
Parks Administration estimates
M. MacFarlane
Members reviewed a new intern position and a security fee (identified as the Bloomfield office security system); the section carried at $631,600.
Parks Operation estimates
Multiple
Discussion covered the roughly $600,000 salaries increase from collective agreement raises and extended park seasons/24-7 staffing, the completed Parks Strategy (which Mutch agreed to table), the former Victoria day park, upgrades to day parks, and clarification that new park development and shoreline repairs fall under capital; the section carried at $5,723,000.
Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale estimates
Multiple
P. Bevan-Baker praised investments and increased year-round use of the ski park for skiing and biking; the minister attributed the budget increase to expanded usage and season extension via snowmaking, noting new investments and the aging alpine chairlift are capital matters.
Brookvale alpine centre chairlift and ski park operations
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked about the aging chairlift at the alpine centre, a capital matter; Minister Hudson and Stephen Mutch noted a company tests it each fall and the minister agreed to look into it.
Strathgartney Park accommodations (Meridian63° glamping)
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker raised the status of geodesic domes and tiny homes installed in Strathgartney Park by Meridian63°, a company reportedly no longer operating, and asked about government plans; Minister Hudson said he had no answer but would look into it.
Accommodations investment in the area
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked whether investments were being made to encourage more accommodations to support the ski hill and biking facilities; Minister Hudson said this fell under other departments such as Finance PEI and was not relevant to this budget section.
Snowmaking costs at the ski park
K. Bernard
Bernard asked whether the department pays for snowmaking; Stephen Mutch confirmed supplies and staffing are covered in the operational budget under materials, supplies and services, and members noted little cost variation between years.
Golf Courses estimates (total $6,958,900)
M. MacFarlane
MacFarlane questioned the revenue side and the roughly $700,000 increase; Minister Hudson reported projected revenue of about $9.27 million, said the courses are profitable and busy, attributed the increase to cost of goods sold, maintenance and inflation, and noted the private sector would respond to demand for new courses. The section carried.
Committee report and adjournment
The Speaker
The committee reported progress and begged leave to sit again, the report was adopted, and the House adjourned until Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
Other business
Recognition of guests and matters of privilege
Multiple
Members welcomed a grade 12 advanced political studies class from Bluefield High School, recognized Marie Kenny's election as world president of the Associated Country Women of the World, honoured Dr. Olive Bryanton, noted the Women's Institute roadside cleanup and other community events, and extended Mother's Day wishes.
Nursing care for level 4 residents in community care facilities
Hon. H. Perry
Perry questioned the Minister of Health about Health PEI asking community care facilities to provide nursing-level care to level 4 residents they were never designed to handle; Minister Deagle acknowledged the risks, cited hospital overcapacity and staff shortages, and committed to work with the department and Health PEI to find staffing supports.
Long-term care (further)
G. McNeilly
McNeilly raised concerns about inappropriate placements in long-term care facilities like Beach Grove and PE Home, staff burnout and violence, and staff losses to home care; Minister Deagle acknowledged the issue, said Health PEI is trying to relocate a resident, and committed to touring facilities across the province.
Kings County Memorial Hospital report
G. McNeilly
McNeilly asked the Minister of Health to release a redacted version of a $40,000 outside review of staff concerns at KCMH; Deagle said the report was heavily redacted, declined to release it unredacted citing sensitive information, and committed to attending consultant meetings with staff.
Social programs and privacy (bank statement requirement)
C. Simpson
Simpson pressed the Minister of Social Development and Seniors on whether the removal of the three-month bank statement requirement applied only to the seniors independence program; Minister Ramsay confirmed it applied only to that program, saying income-tested programs require verification of public funds.
Review of program eligibility thresholds
C. Simpson
Simpson asked the Minister of Social Development and Seniors to commit to reviewing eligibility requirements for underutilized programs; Ramsay responded that reviews are done monthly and annually.
French language supports (further)
C. Simpson
Simpson urged the Minister of Education and Early Years to reinstate a $57,000 program supporting Acadian and Francophone families; Minister Croucher said he and the Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs were still discussing it and were not committing to reinstating it.
Education and Early Years funding
C. Simpson
Simpson asked whether the early childhood sector was carrying the majority of cuts and whether other divisions received comparable cuts; Minister Croucher denied the early years sector was cut, saying it increased by $15.6 million this year to $101 million.
Tourism contract with NHL
M. MacFarlane
The Leader of the Third Party asked whether the government would renew the NHL tourism deal that cost millions; Minister Hudson pointed to tourism growth and said he would address the tourism budget once other portions of his department were completed.
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