PEI

P.E.I. tries to lure Regis and Kelly

The P.E.I. government is trying to bring the popular U.S. morning talk show Live with Regis and Kelly to the Island as a tourism promotion.

The P.E.I. government is trying to bring the popular U.S. morning talk show Live with Regis and Kelly to the Island as a tourism promotion, sources have confirmed for CBC News.

The sources say negotiations are underway but no deal has been signed. The plan is for two shows at a time close to the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, in early July.

Weeks of rumours became public in dramatic fashion Wednesday when Opposition MLA Jim Bagnall asked in question period why the province was spending $750,000 on the show.

Tourism Minister Rob Vessey would not confirm or deny the story.

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"We're in negotiations with a lot of different people," Vessey told CBC News after question period, reiterating his response to Bagnall.

"I'm not going to comment on anything until we have a signed contract. And [then] I'll be more than glad to share it with the media and Prince Edward Island."

CBC sources said the provincial cabinet has been told bringing the show to P.E.I. would be expensive.