P.E.I. Liberals looking forward to party renewal, says interim leader
As provincial Liberals prepare for new leader, Hal Perry says the federal party should do the same
With 2024 coming to a close, Islanders and political leaders alike are looking back on the year in provincial politics.
The year was "in some ways, uneventful," the P.E.I. Liberal Party's interim leader Hal Perry told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin on Dec. 16.
"There doesn't seem to be much reaction from this government to help people who are struggling," he said.
In his second year as the party's interim leader, issues like housing and health care remained concerns among Islanders, but cost of living was the "number one issue," Perry said.
Liberals in the legislature
In 2024, the legislature saw the P.E.I. Liberals challenged by the Green Party for Official Opposition status. After picking up an additional seat in a February byelection, the Green Party brought its total number of seats up to three — the same amount as the Liberals.
Despite the challenge, the Liberals held on to their Official Opposition status.
Opposition politicians spent a lot of time this year pressing the government on its controversial marketing deal with the National Hockey League. In fact, it was brought up by opposition members every day of the fall sitting of the legislature that wrapped up on Nov. 29.
When asked whether his attention to this issue was the best use of time during the legislative session, Perry said the deal "clearly demonstrates how this government is dealing with the situations on Prince Edward Island — they're not."
"We cannot have a government that's working on this Island self-serving and that is putting priorities elsewhere where they should be on health care, the cost of living and those individuals on Prince Edward Island who are struggling to make ends meet."
The Liberal Party's attempts to pass legislation aimed at easing cost of living expenses, like removing yearly vehicle registration fees for private vehicles, were struck down. But Perry said the party will continue to table more legislation in the new year.
Looming tariff threats
Although he was critical of the province's marketing deal with the NHL this year, Perry said marketing the Island's products does play an important role when it comes to addressing the threat of U.S.-imposed export tariffs.
Last year, almost 80 per cent of international exports from P.E.I. were shipped to the U.S., representing $1.8 billion in trade. A 25 per cent tariff could devastate some of the Island's major industries, some say.
I'm happy to have a role in building this party so that in 2027 ... we will be the party that will be in best position to form government.— Hal Perry
To protect its economy, the Island should be marketing itself to other parts of the world, Perry said.
"We have some great products here on Prince Edward Island and they are known worldwide," he said.
"Get out there right now, find these new markets to secure — in the case that tariffs are imposed — that our economy won't fall to a devastating number."
On the national level, Perry said a united approach, from one end of Canada to the other, is required to tackle the issue.
The state of the Liberal Party
Perry described the P.E.I. Liberal Party as being in a "healthy state of renewal." A state he thinks the federal Liberals should take note of.
"I believe that the federal government needs to go through the same process that we're going through," he said. "But they have to do the renewal with a new leader."
He said a new leader with new direction is needed at the federal level, but it will also help the party at the provincial level.
"We have four MPs here on Prince Edward Island who are working hard to help Islanders and they are getting beat up in the media daily because of the confidence that's lost in the present prime minister," he said
The provincial Liberals are planning for a leadership convention in 2026. But Perry said there is some flexibility around that date depending on when the federal election takes place.
Perry won't be putting his name forward for permanent leader, and said he took on the role of interim leader knowing that.
"I'm happy to have a role in building this party so that in 2027, when the next election does roll around, we will be the party that will be in best position to form government."
Before then, Perry said the Liberal Party "will bring new legislation forward in 2025 that will help Islanders struggling in the immediate."
Our other 2024 year-end interviews:
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With files from CBC News: Compass