Cornwall bypass must be delayed: Opposition

P.E.I. should hold off building the Cornwall bypass as long as Ron MacKinley remains transportation minister, the opposition says, because the government would have to buy land from the minister.

'It's his own property he'd be buying from himself.' — PC MLA Mike Currie

Transportation critic Mike Currie notes several members of MacKinley's family also own land along the proposed bypass route, which would reroute the Trans-Canada Highway around Cornwall, which is just west of Charlottetown. MacKinley has removed himself from negotiations, but Currie told CBC News Wednesday that's not enough.

"I would have trouble understanding how they could keep him removed from it when it's his own property he'd be buying from himself," Currie said.

"There is a proper procedure and that's one: wait until he's removed from politics and then sell it and then there's no argument over it."

Most of the land already purchased

Provincial officials say that, following the recommendation of the conflict of interest commissioner, MacKinley's private interests are in a blind trust while he is in the Liberal cabinet. Premier Robert Ghiz, who has taken charge of the file, said Currie's claim that MacKinley stands to gain millions of dollars is ridiculous.

"He knows full well that that's not true," said Ghiz.

"Unfortunately they are doing some sloppy work there and he thinks he can score some cheap political points at the expense of perhaps one of the most successful politicians here in the province of Prince Edward Island over the last quarter of a century."

Ghiz said the former Progressive Conservative government purchased 90 per cent of the land required for the bypass.

He added the Cornwall bypass is not a priority for his government at this time.