Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly, Friday 29 May 2026
On this final day of the spring session, the PEI Legislative Assembly opened with recognitions and members' statements marking the sitting's conclusion, including tributes to award recipient Donnie MacKinnon and retiring staff, alongside remarks on women's health, hospital staffing, school transportation safety, Canadian unity, and gender-based violence. Following Question Period and the tabling of documents, the House sat as Committee of the Whole to review budget estimates for departments including Workforce and Advanced Learning, the Legislative Assembly, and Finance and Affordability, with detailed questions on labour agreements, apprenticeship, post-secondary and student financial assistance, statutory offices, pension divestment, tax modernization, and various government programs. The House then carried the budget and passed the Appropriation Act (Current Expenditures) 2026, the Loan Act 2026, and a slate of bills including the Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act, after which the Lieutenant Governor granted royal assent and the spring sitting was concluded with the Speaker's closing remarks and adjournment.
Members' Statements
Reflection on first legislative session
B. Curran
The Member for Georgetown-Pownal marked the end of his first session, reflecting on lessons learned and thanking constituents and House staff.
Importance of advocating for women's health
S. Dillon
The Member for Charlottetown-Belvedere called for sustained commitment to women's health through funding, research, and education, urging colleagues to champion equitable access and supports.
O'Leary Community Hospital
R. Henderson
The Member for O'Leary-Inverness praised the Community Hospital as a strong rural health care model but warned of 25 current staff vacancies and concerns over long-term care patients occupying acute care beds, urging government to respect the delivery model.
Routine Proceedings
School transportation safety
Hon. H. Perry
The Leader of the Opposition, following a recent PEI family tragedy, asked the Premier and Minister of Education what steps government would take to improve student safety; the Premier agreed lessons should be learned and the Minister of Education committed to reevaluating all bus routes over the summer.
Canadian unity and Council of the Federation
Hon. H. Perry
The Leader of the Opposition pressed the Premier on what actions he has taken as chair of the Council of the Federation to defend Canadian unity amid separation discussions; the Premier emphasized Canada is stronger united, particularly with Alberta, and pledged to champion unity as PEI hosts premiers in Charlottetown this summer.
Gender-based violence strategy and shelter capacity
C. Simpson
The Member for Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park questioned the Minister of Housing on shelter adequacy and whether PEI has a comprehensive gender-based violence strategy, and asked the Attorney General to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic as other Atlantic provinces have; ministers cited ongoing support work, the Status of Women's role, and the domestic violence therapeutic court.
Premier's closing reflections on the session
Hon. R. Lantz
The Premier reflected on the sitting, referencing the Lady Ball auction and defending government's record of making hard choices for Prince Edward Island.
Tabling of Synapse Energy Economics report on Maritime Electric application
P. Bevan-Baker
By leave, the Member for New Haven-Rocky Point tabled an examination of the MECL application for on-Island capacity supply prepared for IRAC by Synapse Energy Economics, Inc.; the motion carried.
Tabling of takebacks from Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy budget debate
Hon. E. Hudson
By leave, the Minister tabled takebacks from debate on the Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy operating budget; the motion carried.
Orders of the Day
Motion to resolve into Committee of the Whole on supply
Hon. B. Thompson
The Minister of Justice 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; carried, with the Member from Charlottetown-Belvedere chairing.
Estimates – General Administration / Corporate Management
K. Bernard
The committee reviewed Corporate Management appropriations (total $726,900); K. Bernard asked about MNP LLP professional services funding, which was identified as work related to an organizational review of Collège de l'Île.
Estimates – Population and Settlement
G. McNeilly
The committee considered Population and Settlement appropriations ($3,738,900); G. McNeilly asked about increased grants, a UPEI Work Integrated Learning partnership, and funding for the Black Cultural Society, which will rise and has secured a new three-year agreement.
Estimates – Labour and Industrial Relations
Multiple
Members reviewed Labour and Industrial Relations appropriations ($1,554,100), questioning legal fees (Stewart McKelvey), the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act implementation phases and staffing (one protection officer), the Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal caseload, employment standards inspectors, and the office's move to the Atlantic Technology Centre.
Estimates – Workforce Development / SkillsPEI
R. Henderson
The committee considered SkillsPEI appropriations ($36,938,000); R. Henderson sought clarity on the difference between the Workforce Development Agreement and the Labour Market Development Agreement and raised eligibility concerns for fishery workers, with a $1.4 million contingency fund noted for the oyster industry.
Workforce Development / LMDA and workforce agreement flexibility
R. Henderson
Henderson questioned Minister Bell and official Jed MacEwen on flexibility within the LMDA agreement, federal versus provincial funding shares (roughly $30 million federal of a $36 million total), and eligibility, with the Minister committing to lobby the federal government for what benefits Island workers.
Essential skills training and salary lines
G. McNeilly
McNeilly asked about the discontinued federal essential skills training program, a $1.8 million tariff-response increase to the LMDA for steel and softwood lumber, and salary line increases due to filled vacancies and collective agreement changes, thanking staff.
Provincial programs, professional services and practical nursing seats
K. Bernard
Bernard asked about a $1 million underspend in provincial programs (delayed upskilling tied to steel/aluminum and softwood negotiations), professional services (social media management and Grant Thornton audit), and funding for practical nursing seats and LPN-to-RN bridging at Holland College and UPEI.
Oyster fisher and student summer employment programs location
Multiple
MacFarlane and MacLennan asked where student summer employment (Jobs for Youth) and oyster fisher re-training programs are found; officials noted $1.4 million in contingency funding available for oyster fisher re-training and directed youth employment questions to the Employment Development Agency.
EA training and upskilling
C. Simpson
Simpson asked about funding to help educational assistants who do not meet qualifications upskill, suggesting a target similar to Steps to Success; the Minister said he would look into it with the Minister of Education and Early Years.
Apprenticeship estimates
M. MacFarlane
MacFarlane questioned professional services (Council of Atlantic Premiers maintenance funding) and a grant related to the AMS online apprenticeship management service, a modernization initiative among PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Bernard raised past concerns that the apprentice program wasn't working effectively, and the section carried.
Post-Secondary and Continuing Education General
Multiple
McNeilly and MacFarlane clarified section placement of UPEI funding and Jobs for Youth (which is in the Employment Development Agency), and the general section carried.
Post-Secondary Grants including UPEI, Holland College and med school
Multiple
Bernard, MacFarlane and McNeilly questioned core operating grant increases (UPEI 4.5%, Holland College 4.5%, Collège de l'Île 2%), tuition losses from reduced immigration, the LPN bridging program, the Rubin Thomlinson report action plan ($261,000 restricted funding), the faculty of medicine's $21.8 million operational costs, the $2.7 million MUN partnership, and the med school construction debt (about $53 million net provincial cost after federal funding).
Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat
Multiple
Bernard, Simpson and McNeilly asked about translation consulting contracts, the $63,300 grant line (Acadian Heritage Month and the Quebec-PEI agreement), and the cut to the Cap Enfants program, with Simpson pressing for cost-sharing and McNeilly urging the Minister to lobby the federal government; the Minister committed to reporting back after a scheduled meeting.
Employment Development Agency General
Multiple
MacFarlane asked about a BDO Canada audit of the Crown corporation, and Henderson questioned salary changes tied to a retirement and collective bargaining, acknowledging worker Elliot Deighan for his accessibility.
Community and Business Projects grants
Multiple
Henderson raised concerns about reduced special projects funding affecting vulnerable workers including displaced oyster/shellfish labourers, noting EI eligibility barriers; officials cited $300,000 in EDA contingency and $1.4 million in oyster industry contingency. MacFarlane pressed for transparency on undisclosed grant dollar amounts, late notification timing for recipients, and reductions in student allocations, and will follow up in writing.
PEI Student Financial Assistance Corporation
Multiple
McNeilly and Bernard questioned a decrease in the grants line, attributed to declining costs in the federally-funded students with disabilities program, consistent disbursement numbers, and the needs-based Island Advantage bursary; the section carried and the Minister thanked officials for their work.
Legislative Services estimates and Council of State Governments membership
R. Henderson
The Committee reviewed Legislative Services ($3,619,100). R. Henderson asked about PEI's membership in the Council of State Governments; the Clerk confirmed the Standing Committee on Legislative Assembly Management voted last week to withdraw, citing poor return on investment compared to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, with the option to rejoin later.
Legislative Services materials line and caucus office budgets
M. MacFarlane
M. MacFarlane asked about a $100,000 reduction in the materials line, which the Clerk attributed to prior spending on the move back into Province House, and thanked legislative staff. The Government Members', Opposition Members', and Third Party offices all carried, for a Total Legislative Services of $5,131,700.
Members' remuneration estimates
The Chair
The Members section, covering MLA indemnity, expense allowance, and honoraria, carried at a total of $3,112,500.
Office of the Auditor General estimates
Multiple
M. MacFarlane confirmed salary increases were due to wage raises, not new positions, and that a staffing request was not granted. B. Thompson asked whether the Auditor General's office could itself be audited (the Clerk said yes, by an external entity). The section carried at $4,265,600.
Office of the Child and Youth Advocate estimates
M. MacFarlane
M. MacFarlane confirmed the increase was only cost of living and negotiated raises, and that a staffing request was not granted. The section carried at $1,231,100.
Office of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner estimates
Multiple
M. MacFarlane and B. Thompson questioned the small budget; the Clerk explained professional services such as outside legal opinions would come from the Legislative Assembly's budget. The section carried at $68,700.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner estimates
M. MacFarlane
M. MacFarlane noted the salary increase reflected one new position, which the Clerk confirmed was requested by the commissioner and granted by the committee. The section carried at $906,500.
Office of the Ombudsperson and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner estimates
Multiple
B. Thompson asked about turnover; the Clerk explained the deputy ombudsperson won the competition to become the new ombudsperson after Sandy left to become BC's ombudsperson, and is now hiring a replacement. M. MacFarlane confirmed the budget matched what was requested. The section carried at $841,500.
Elections PEI estimates and by-election funding
M. MacFarlane
M. MacFarlane asked how an upcoming by-election would be funded since it was not in the budget; the Clerk said efficiencies within the office typically cover by-election costs. The section carried at $691,800, bringing the Total Legislative Assembly to $16,249,400.
175th anniversary of responsible government
Hon. B. Trivers
B. Trivers reminded members that 2026 marks the 175th anniversary of responsible government on PEI (established 1851), which the Speaker's and Clerk's offices will celebrate this summer.
Finance Department Management / Corporate Services estimates
P. Bevan-Baker
With director of finance Lane Pineau on the floor, P. Bevan-Baker asked about the salary line dropping due to vacancies (policy manager/lead and industrial relations development officer). The section carried at $1,085,200.
Debt and Investment Management estimates and red tape reduction committee
P. Bevan-Baker
P. Bevan-Baker asked where the fiscal responsibility and red tape reduction committee is funded; Minister Burridge explained it is an internal committee of deputy ministers and ministers with no true cost, tasking departments to scan for synergies and savings. Discussion of the sinking fund was deferred to a later debt section. The section carried at $795,200.
Pensions and Benefits estimates and U.S. asset divestment
Multiple
H. Perry asked why $500,000 in professional services was budgeted but unspent; Pineau explained the pension CRM implementation costs were reclassified as capital. P. Bevan-Baker asked about divesting from U.S. assets; officials said the joint investment advisory committee has a fiduciary duty and the U.S. share had dropped from about 42% to 35-36%. The section carried at $2,144,200 (Total Pensions and Capital Management $2,939,400).
Economics, Statistics, and Federal Fiscal Relations estimates
Multiple
H. Perry questioned a 55% cut to professional services; Pineau said one consulting agreement was no longer required and the division could work with remaining consultants. P. Bevan-Baker raised the volunteer firefighter tax credit (stuck at $1,000 versus doubled federal credit) and asked about the Island essentials benefit and ride share program. The section carried at $28,597,000.
Island essentials benefit design and affordability
Hon. H. Perry
H. Perry asked how the benefit's funding level is set and whether it will keep pace with cost of living; Minister Burridge described the analysis (a $175 floor per household from average energy rebates, top-ups for lower incomes, and a sliding scale up to $114,000 household income) and said the model can be reviewed annually. The section confirmed at $28,597,700.
Office of the Controller / Accounting, Procurement, and Internal Audit estimates
Multiple
P. Bevan-Baker asked about $1.8M in professional services (HST contractor fees for tax recovery audits, which is largely revenue-neutral) and the internal audit program, where three positions have been created for 2026-27 with plans to develop an audit plan and launch initial audits. The section carried at $3,224,300.
Taxation and Property Records Administration estimates and system modernization
Multiple
P. Bevan-Baker questioned professional services tied to taxation system modernization; Pineau described phase 1 (review of current systems) and phase 2 (replacement of Govern, CHRIS and LIN systems, mostly on the capital side). Members discussed property tax fairness and market vs. assessed value, and R. Henderson raised an all-party committee recommendation to make property ownership and tax information accessible via GeoLinc, with the Minister noting a regulation change had modernized access to assessment roll data. The section total was $5,968,100.
Taxation and Property Records / GeoLinc property owner information
R. Henderson
Henderson questioned why property owner contact information for hunters and trappers isn't freely available, noting it exists on GeoLinc but only as a paid subscriber service; Minister Burridge agreed to look into whether removing the paywall could pose privacy concerns.
Treasury Board Secretariat Administration / special warrants
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked whether all special warrant applications now follow proper process; Minister Burridge confirmed he has no concerns. The section carried.
Information Technology Shared Services / cybersecurity
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker praised ITSS staff and asked about security breaches beyond the school issue; Burridge said there were no others to highlight and credited the IT team's cyber-defence work. The section carried.
Employee Benefits estimates
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked why employee future benefits and pension expenses became a near-wash this year; Lane Pineau explained it was largely coincidental due to actuarial variables like discount rates. The section carried.
Contingency Fund and Salary Negotiations
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked about the fluctuating contingency amount; Pineau explained it depends on outstanding collective agreements (currently about six expired or being negotiated) with a base provision held in general government until settlements are placed in department budgets.
Response and Recovery Contingencies / oyster industry support
R. Henderson
Henderson sought a breakdown of contingency money distributed to the oyster industry; Pineau listed UPEI AVC testing ($497,500), training and employment support ($800,000), adaptation strategy ($90,800), relief wage assistance ($1.46M), growers income stabilization ($3M) and a disease network ($50,000), and committed to clarifying the reported EDA and LMDA funding.
Response and Recovery Contingencies / forecast variance and tobacco settlement
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker asked about the roughly $20M gap between estimated and forecast contingency; Pineau attributed most to an unused tariff and trade contingency and explained unspent funds go back to the bottom line, and that the tobacco settlement was booked in 2024-25 with payments applied against that provision.
Tobacco settlement fund allocation
G. McNeilly
McNeilly questioned why tobacco settlement money went against the debt rather than health promotion; Pineau explained accounting rules required recognizing it in 2024-25 while Burridge argued equivalent spending on the Live Well and smoke-free generation programs was already occurring. McNeilly disagreed, citing cuts to health promotion.
Interest Charges on Debt and sinking funds
P. Bevan-Baker
Bevan-Baker questioned the large interest expense, the impact of a potential bond rating downgrade, and refinancing timing; Pineau confirmed no debentures come due this fiscal year, explained sinking funds set money aside to repay debt at maturity, and Burridge noted locked-in debt is unaffected by rate changes. The sections and the budget carried.
Report of Committee of the Whole (Supply) and recorded division
S. Dillon
The Chair reported the committee had gone into supply; the adoption of the report and passage of the budget was carried on a recorded division of 15 yeas to 7 nays, granting supply to His Majesty.
Appropriation Act (Current Expenditures) 2026, Bill No. 17
Hon. B. Thompson
Bill No. 17 was read a second time, considered in Committee of the Whole (with Lane Pineau as witness) and passed without amendment.
Loan Act 2026, Bill No. 18
Hon. B. Thompson
Bill No. 18 was read a second time, considered in Committee of the Whole (with Ryan Bradley as witness) and passed without amendment.
Third reading and passage of government bills
Hon. B. Thompson
With unanimous consent, a slate of orders (2nd through 25th) covering numerous bills was read a third time and passed unanimously, including amendments to child care, education, health professions, lands protection, and government reorganization acts.
Disclosure to Protect Against Intimate Partner Violence Act, Bill No. 104
C. Simpson
By unanimous consent the House reverted to Orders Other Than Government and passed the private member's Bill No. 104 unanimously on third reading.
Conclusion of government business
Hon. B. Thompson
The Minister of Justice advised that government had concluded the business it wished to conduct during the spring sitting.
Royal assent and prorogation address
Hon. Dr. Wassim Salamoun (Lieutenant Governor)
The Lieutenant Governor received the reply to the Speech from the Throne, granted royal assent to all bills passed in the session, and commended members before wishing them a good summer.
Speaker's closing remarks and adjournment
The Speaker
The Speaker offered closing remarks and a poem marking the 37-day sitting before M. MacKay moved adjournment to the call of the Speaker, which carried.
Other business
Mark McLane Memorial Award and session-end thanks
Hon. R. Lantz
The Premier welcomed guest Donnie MacKinnon, congratulating him as the first recipient of Ringette PEI's new Mark McLane Memorial Award, recognized the Lady Ball fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada, and thanked Legislative Assembly staff and the Speaker as the session nears its end.
Session-end remarks and recognitions
Hon. H. Perry
The Leader of the Opposition welcomed guests, congratulated Donnie MacKinnon, thanked Legislative Assembly and opposition staff, and recognized Della Sweet, a West Prince cancer survivor and volunteer honoured at the Lady Ball.
Community events and recognitions
M. MacFarlane
The Leader of the Third Party highlighted the Kinkora Regional High School survivors breakfast and Relay for Life, upcoming community events, and recognized retired firefighter Gabriel Edgcomb for saving Barry Fraser's life, while thanking Legislature staff.
Retirement of Terri Wood
Hon. R. Croucher
The Minister of Education and Early Years congratulated Terri Wood, an executive administrative assistant retiring after a 32-year public service career.
Recognition of Donnie MacKinnon
Hon. K. Dollar
The Minister of Housing and Communities welcomed and praised Donnie MacKinnon as a deserving first recipient of the Mark McLane Memorial Award, noting their shared ringette involvement.
Recognition of Jackie MacDonald
B. Curran
The Member for Georgetown-Pownal recognized constituent Jackie MacDonald, who rang the bell for his final cancer treatment.
Birthday recognitions
K. Bernard
The Member for Charlottetown-Victoria Park wished happy birthdays to Sadie Cusack, Heather Lea, and her daughter Gracie's 18th birthday, and thanked staff and Pages.
Alzheimer's walk invitation
Hon. J. Redmond
The Minister of Economic Development welcomed colleagues and Donnie MacKinnon and invited everyone to Sunday's IG Management Walk for Alzheimer's.
Constituent recognition and International Day of the Potato
R. Henderson
The Member for O'Leary-Inverness wished a happy 100th birthday to constituent Ada Ellis and marked May 30 as the UN International Day of the Potato.
Retirement of Denise Lewis Fleming
Hon. J. Burridge
The Minister of Finance and Affordability recognized her retiring deputy minister Denise Lewis Fleming after 30 years and thanked the budget team she built.
Session reflections and tribute to Mark McLane
Hon. D. Compton
The Minister of Land and Environment thanked staff, praised the Lady Ball and survivor Marg Brady, noted this was her 23rd sitting, and shared a fond memory of Mark McLane's love of the phrase 'jiggery-pokery.'
Session-end personal remarks
P. Bevan-Baker
The Member for New Haven-Rocky Point thanked members and reflected on the likely final day of session, greeting his grandchildren.
Session-end thanks and event
C. Simpson
The Member for Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park thanked staff and members, wished retirees well, and promoted the John Andrew Memorial Fishing Derby.
Speaker's remarks
The Speaker
The Speaker thanked members for their cooperation and especially recognized the Office of the Clerk and Legislative Assembly staff for their support.
This is Tabled's summary of the sitting, written from the official record; Hansard is only ever quoted at the link above. Search Prince Edward Island Hansard for the words themselves, or read this sitting in the archive.