Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
PEI

Emergency session of legislature ends, budget passes, COVID-19 deficit and all

Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry wore a face mask as she walked into the legislative chamber Tuesday night to bring to an end the 28-day emergency sitting of the Prince Edward Island Legislature.

Budget passed unopposed with 'unprecedented' deficit to fight COVID-19

Brian Higgins · CBC News ·
Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry removed her face mask once inside the chamber. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry wore a face mask as she walked into the legislative chamber shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday to bring to an end the 28-day emergency sitting of the Prince Edward Island Legislature.

The emergency session began May 26.

The sitting of the house, originally intended to last just a day or two to pass emergency bills related to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, included passing of a budget with what the premier called an "unprecedented" deficit.

The budget passed unopposed in a vote Tuesday night.

"I think everybody realized how important it was for the expenditures to be made and I think all three parties acted accordingly," said Premier Dennis King.

The budget included a $173 million deficit, with spending intended to battle the economic fallout of the pandemic. 

"Government has a lot on their plate with this budget going forward and we'll see what happens," said Sonny Gallant, interim Liberal leader.

Premier Dennis King listens with other members of the assembly as the lieutenant-governor ends the legislative session. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Opposition leader Peter Bevan-Baker and other Green MLAs brought forward a motion Tuesday night urging government to build a "stronger, more resilient post-COVID Island." The motion passed, but Bevan-Baker expressed disappointment that no members of government joined debate on the subject.

He said the session was productive but the collaborative spirit is waning.

"Islanders voted for change in the last election and I think there's growing disappointment that we're getting more of the same old, same old politics here on Prince Edward Island."

The government has a lot of work to do with its budget, says interim Liberal leader Sonny Gallant. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

The emergency session also saw the minority Conservative government try and fail to expand powers under emergency measures legislation.

"It seemed to be a little more than what was needed," said Gallant.

MLAs are slated to return to the House in the fall, unless another emergency session is needed.

In 2021, evening sessions of the legislature will come to an end. The termination of this long-standing practice generated intense debate during the emergency session.

More from CBC P.E.I.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Higgins

Former CBC videojournalist

Brian Higgins joined CBC Prince Edward Island in 2002, following work in broadcasting and print journalism in central Canada. He follows law courts and justice issues on P.E.I., among other assignments. He retired in 2023.

    CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices|About CBC News
    Corrections and clarifications|Submit a news tip|