Press Releases
Perry Congratulates work of Tignish Health Co-operative in securing new Physician
2012-02-22Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry is commending the efforts of the Tignish Health Co-op Centre Board and the Community of Tignish for their successful efforts in securing a physician for the residents of his district.
"I am delighted that the Tignish Health Centre has been able to obtain the services of Dr. Syed Naqvi who will be taking over for Dr. Baldev Sethi, who is retiring," said Perry. "I had been hearing from many residents concerned about losing Dr. Sethi and I am sure that they will be relieved to know that physician services will be available to them, in their own community."
Read More >
Crane calls Premier and Senior Minister out for not supporting EI processing Center in Montague
2012-02-20
Opposition Leader, Olive Crane is calling the Premier and his senior Minister Al Roach complacent for not attending Saturday's rally in Montague organized by employees of the EI Processing Center and the union that represents them. "I believe very strongly that the jobs with the EI Processing Center should stay here in Montague and that is why I attended the rally. I support the employees and their families and I believe as a provincial politician, it is my duty to advocate as much as I can for these employees," Crane remarked.
In the fall of 2011, federal HRSDC Minister, Hon. Dianne Findlay announced that the Montague processing center would close in 2014. Since that announcement, Crane and her Caucus have been advocating to keep the center open and the twenty eight employees working and contributing to the overall economy.
Read More >
Crane continues call for Castastrophic Drug Coverage
2012-02-16
Opposition Leader Olive Crane is commending the MS Society of P.E.I. as well as the PEI Health Charities Network for continuing to lobby the Ghiz government for a catastrophic drug program in P.E.I.
"As Leader of the Opposition and the Progressive Conservative party we have been urging Premier Robert Ghiz to keep his 2009 promise to Islanders and introduce a catastrophic drug program."
Crane said there are actually cost savings in implementing a pharmacare program that would ensure that the 35,000 Islanders who currently do not have any drug coverage, will have the access they deserve. "We believe that no Island family should be paying more than five percent of their household income on prescription drugs but we know that is not the case, for one in seven families in this province."
Read More >
Opposition claims partial victory on clean-up of sewage in Charlottetown Harbor
2012-02-16
The Opposition is claiming a partial victory in its push to get work started on the clean-up of the Charlottetown Harbor and the Hillsborough River.
"Our Caucus members first raised this in the legislature over two years ago and we have fought hard since then through press releases, in the Legislature, and with continuous pressure on officials at the federal, provincial and municipal level to get this issue some attention and to make it a priority," said PC Environment Critic Hal Perry. "We held numerous meetings with our oyster fishers and even told Islanders that it would be our top priority if elected as a new government during the 2011 provincial election."
Perry praised the City of Charlottetown for its initiative in ensuring a positive response to the Opposition's concerns not only about the environmental damage that was occurring to the Hillsborough River system but the economic impact on the oyster fishery due to river closures.
Read More >
Leader of the Opposition calls on Premier to start working on behalf of Islanders
2012-02-15
Opposition Leader Olive Crane is en route to Prince Edward Island today after having wrapped up a series of meetings in Ottawa with Federal Ministers and senior bureaucrats on job creation initiatives for Prince Edward Island.
"As a province, we must find solutions to secure long-term, meaningful employment for Islanders and it is imperative that we work with the Federal government to do this," said Crane. The need for the Employment Insurance Processing Centre in Montague to remain operational and for PEI businesses to be stakeholders in the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy were key issues raised during the discussions.
Crane stressed the importance of strengthening relations between the Federal Conservative Government and the Province of Prince Edward Island and expressed surprise to have discovered that the Premier has done little in terms of advocacy work in the area of job creation with federal departments.
Read More >
Aylward urges Minister to keep vascular surgery in province
2012-02-10
PC Health Critic James Aylward is encouraged that Health Minister Doug Currie has finally gotten around to talking about maintaining vascular surgery in this province, but is concerned that the Minister is hedging on a commitment.
"The fact that Dr. Peter Midgely has been requesting help for more than two years and nothing was done; the fact that Dr. Midgely finally in frustration ended up tendering his resignation January 4; and the fact that it has taken the Health Minister over a month to finally arrange a meeting, is disturbing," said Aylward. "It makes me wonder how serious this province is about ensuring Islanders have access to vascular surgery."
Aylward made reference to the Hay Report, that recommends P.E.I. utilize off-Island services for vascular surgery and discontinue vascular surgery here. "The Hay Report is this province's master plan for health care, and unfortunately it is all about dollars," said Aylward. "The province finds millions of dollars for liquor stores and gambling casinos but when it comes to health care, they start griping about money."
Read More >
News & Events
Crane urges Islanders to attend Public Accounts meeting in Summerside
2012-02-21
Opposition Leader Olive Crane is encouraging Islanders, especially those concerned about special education services to attend a meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Thursday Feb. 23 in Summerside.
"I think Thursday's meeting will be very interesting particularly to those who are concerned about the provision of special education in our province. We are currently in the process of reviewing the Auditor General's report on special education services in the Eastern School District," said Crane.
Crane noted that there are roughly 5,500 Island students with special educational requirements enrolled in P.E.I. schools and although 77 per cent are enrolled in the Eastern School District, special education is an issue for parents right across the province.
Read More >CELEBRATE ISLANDER DAY
2012-02-16
CELEBRATE ISLANDER DAY by joining PC MLA's for a FREE COMMUNITY SKATE!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Morell Rink, 2 - 3 PM with Leader, Olive Crane
Eastern Kings Sportsplex in Souris, 1 - 2 PM with Colin LaVie
Three Rivers Sportsplex in Georgetown, 5 - 6 PM with Steven Myers
Bunbury Outdoor Rink in Stratford, 2 - 3 PM with James Aylward
Bicentennial Park in Tignish, 6 - 8 PM (feat. DJ Jay Cee Tunes) with Hal Perry
See you there!Opposition Leader commends NDP Leader James Rodd for his service to Islanders
2012-02-10
Opposition Leader Olive Crane says NDP Leader James Rodd, who announced his resignation Wednesday will be missed within the political circles of Prince Edward Island.
"Mr. Rodd devoted several years of his to life to lead his party and to be a voice for his members. I commend Mr. Rodd for his service to Prince Edward Island and wish him well in his future endeavours."Spirit of co-operation in public accounts pleases Opposition
2012-01-20
Opposition Leader Olive Crane says she is pleased with the spirit of cooperation
that was exhibited by members of the Legislative Committee on Public Accounts during their second meeting Thursday.
"We have a new slate of Committee members and we see a great opportunity to make meaningful changes that will improve the effectiveness of this committee and ensure that it carries out its mandate in the best interests of Islanders," said Crane.
The Opposition had been advocating that Public Accounts Committee meetings be held outside of Charlottetown to help educate the public on the kind of work that Members of the Legislature do in between Legislative sessions. "I was so pleased that the committee has agreed to do this and has selected Summerside as its first location," said Crane.
Read More >Myers Congratulates those involved with Cardigan bridge replacement
2011-12-21
Steven Myers, MLA for Georgetown - St. Peters congratulated all those involved with the replacement of the Cardigan Bridge, as the project has come to an end and the bridge has officially re-opened.
"On behalf of the residents of District 2, I would like to thank all those who worked on the construction of the new Cardigan Bridge," stated Myers. "This replacement will increase safety for drivers in the village, and will make the Cardigan Marina more attractive for visitors."
Read More >