Premier's surprise resignation leaves P.E.I. in an unsettling position, Opposition MLAs say

Some MLAs from the P.E.I. Liberal and Green parties wish Premier Dennis King well as he walks away from political office, but they say the timing of the announcement has them concerned.

The resignation came just days before the spring legislative sitting was due to begin, with the threat of American tariffs looming and ready to ram the Island's resource-based economy.

"Islanders expected [King] to bring forward a budget with a clear plan to address this serious economic threat that Islanders may face," interim Liberal Leader Hal Perry told CBC News, referring to the possibility of American tariffs.

"Now that clarity is in question."

Perry said the PC government might become focused on "internal leadership struggles" instead of the top concerns facing the Island. 

Green MLA Matt MacFarlane said he was surprised by the announcement coming at a "precarious" time for the Island, citing local issues like health care and housing as well as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat.

Describing the situation as "unsettling," he called on all the provincial parties to work together on addressing the Island's problems.

"We're going to need a return to collaboration to deal with issues like the threat of tariffs that we're looking at right now, the major electricity issues and challenges that the grid is facing," MacFarlane said. "We're going to need all hands on deck."

'It couldn't have been an easy decision'

Despite the challenges, some opposition MLAs expressed well wishes for King, who's calling it a political career after nearly six years in charge. 

I wish the premier well in his future endeavours and whatever might be next for him and his family.— Official Opposition Leader Hal Perry

"It's a shocking day, and I wish him the best. It couldn't have been an easy decision," Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly told CBC News.

"I just want to wish him the best in his future endeavours."

Perry also sent his regards, saying: "The decision to enter politics and the decision to exit politics is a deeply personal one.

"I wish the premier well in his future endeavours, and whatever might be next for him and his family, I wish them all the best.

MacFarlane expressed similar sentiments. 

"A little earlier than I would have expected, but the premier has his reasons for making the decision that he's making. I wish him well," he said. "In the meantime, we need to get on with the business of running this province and we need to get new leadership in place."

In a surprise announcement, Dennis King says he is stepping down as P.E.I.'s premier

22 hours ago

Duration 2:20

P.E.I. Premier Dennis King is resigning as the province's 33rd premier after nearly six years in the job. 'I've felt for a while… that I had more runway behind me than I had in front of me,' the Progressive Conservative politician said, adding that the province needs a leader who can be focused on the long term. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin introduces an excerpt of video from his news conference.

As the parties shape up their plans for the spring sitting, which is scheduled to begin Tuesday, they'll do so with interim leaders at the helm of all three parties in the legislature.

That tees up a busy run of leadership contests ahead of the next provincial election on P.E.I., which is scheduled for October 2027 under the province's fixed election date system.

The Official Opposition Liberals have a leadership convention scheduled for May 2026. The Greens, led for now by Karla Bernard, recently moved up their leadership vote to June 7 of this year.