PEI Green Caucus

09/03/2026

Statement from Karla Bernard MLA: Let’s make this school year a safe, healthy and focused one! Calling on government to take action on cellphones, AI, and student physical health

As students head back to school next Tuesday, it’s an exciting time for families across the Island. A new school year brings new opportunities to learn, make friends, get active and grow.

As parents prepare their kids for the year ahead, I’m hearing many of the same concerns: How do we keep our kids safe, healthy and focused in an increasingly digital world?

This is about more than distraction. It’s about student safety, cyberbullying, privacy, mental well-being and creating an environment where kids can focus on learning.

Cellphones and artificial intelligence (AI) are now a part of our children’s lives, and our schools need clear, consistent rules that help students use technology responsibly while protecting their ability to learn and connect with each other.

Two years ago, the Minister of Education introduced a mandate around cellphone use in schools. But it’s clear that more needs to be done. I’m calling on government to implement a province-wide, bell-to-bell cellphone policy so that expectations are clear for everyone and so we make sure this isn’t another responsibility placed on our already busy teachers and support staff. Government needs to provide the leadership, resources and consistent provincial direction necessary to make this work.

The same thoughtful approach is needed with AI. We also need clear guidance around when and how AI should be used. I’m calling on government to establish clear, province-wide guidelines for the use of AI in our schools.

Limiting the use of cell phones and screens during the school day also presents an exciting opportunity to look for more ways to get students moving and be active. Physical education, outdoor activity and opportunities to move throughout the school day are an important part of a student’s overall well-being. Government should ensure our schools have the resources and time to make physical activity a meaningful part of every student’s day.

Let’s start this school year by giving Island students the tools and environment they need to thrive. I wish every Island student, teacher and school staff member a safe, healthy and focused school year!

Karla Bernard
MLA Charlottetown-Victoria Park
Green Party of Prince Edward Island Critic for Education

09/03/2026

Come on out to Canoe Cove Dairy Bar this Labour Day Monday for free ice-cream, fudge bars and freezies! Sponsored by MLA for District 17 Peter Bevan-Baker, this is the dairy bar's last day for the summer season. Enjoy a cool treat on the beach! 🍦☀

09/02/2026

Statement from Green Leader Matt MacFarlane on PC Government’s Eighth Cabinet Shuffle in a Year:

Today Premier Rob Lantz once again shuffled his Cabinet in an attempt to appear as if his government is taking action for Islanders. This is the eighth cabinet shuffle from this government in a year, demonstrating the level of disorganization and distraction within the Premier’s Office.

Right now, Islanders and Canadians want stability and action from their leaders – not more chaos. The current trade war with the U.S. calls for steady and principled provincial leadership. Islanders need a leader who will look at the trade war not as another crisis, but as an opportunity to build the province we want – by making our businesses more competitive, by building a clean and reliable energy sector, by making life more affordable for Islanders.

Shuffling a cabinet will not provide the meaningful change Islanders are looking for. Islanders need a leader who will work with our provincial counterparts and our federal government, stand up for PEI, and build a province that works for everyone. I am calling on Premier Lantz to stop rearranging the deck chairs, call a general election, and let Islanders have a say in their province’s future.

Matt MacFarlane
MLA Borden-Kinkora
Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island

09/01/2026

Green Health Critic Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank will be meeting with Minister of Health Cory Deagle to get answers for Islanders regarding recent special warrants totaling $30.9 million for Health PEI, including more than $17 million in “Professional Services."

Last week, the government posted special warrants totaling $30.9 million for Health PEI, including more than $17 million in “Professional Services” which in my experience means $17 million being sent to private companies.

That raises some serious questions for me.

The PC government spends $1.4 billion on Island healthcare. Islanders deserve to understand why millions more need to be authorized through special warrants.

What are Islanders paying for, who is being contracted, and why wasn’t this spending accounted for when the budget was presented?

I look forward to meeting with the Minister of Health to understand these decisions.

Islanders work hard for their money. They deserve transparency and accountability from their government.

08/29/2026

Statement from Green Party of Prince Edward Island Leader Matt MacFarlane on Government's Tariff Action Plan:

On Friday the PC government released its Tariff Action Plan. There are a number of good first steps in this plan to help our local businesses weather this unpredictable storm. However, I believe that government shouldn’t just stop there. This is an opportunity to improve conditions in our province for local businesses, workers, and all Islanders, and we should take full advantage of that. This trade war is a threat, but it's also a rare opportunity to fix the things that have been holding Island businesses back for years and make PEI more competitive.

Local Procurement Long Overdue

The plan mentions "new local procurement policies" as a next step, with no details, no timeline, and no legislation. The Green Caucus has been calling for procurement legislation for years – PEI remains the only province in Canada without procurement of services legislation. Local procurement keeps Island tax dollars circulating in the Island economy and employs more Islanders. This is not a hard call and it’s long overdue.

No Accountability or Measurable Targets

The plan also contains no mention of targets or accountability with results. Islanders are being told 80% of our exports currently go to the United States, but there is no indication what trade targets government is aiming for in the coming months and year. Without defined targets, "diversifying trade" is a slogan, not a strategy, and that makes it difficult for Islanders to hold government accountable for the promises it is making.

No Details On Trade Missions

The plan indicates government completed 46 trade missions, involving 186 businesses, across three continents. That's a lot of travel. What isn’t clear in this action plan is what these missions actually bought us. How many new deals were signed? How many million dollars in exports moved from the U.S. to new markets? If we're going to keep sending Island businesses and PC Cabinet Ministers around the world on the public dime, Islanders deserve targets set in advance and results published afterwards.

No Energy Plan, No Plan for Affordability

Islanders have been asking for relief on power costs for years, and this trade war has made that need more urgent. If we're serious about competitiveness and trying to make life more affordable, government should be indexing our tax brackets to inflation, we should be reforming Maritime Electric so costs actually come down instead of ratcheting up, and we should be aligning our gas pricing with the rest of the Maritimes. These aren't new ideas. They're the same asks Island businesses and residents have made for years, and this is the moment to finally act on them.

Islanders don't just need a government that helps them survive this trade war. They need one that uses it to build a stronger, more self-reliant Island economy. That's the plan Islanders deserve, and it's not the one government delivered.

Matt MacFarlane
MLA Borden-Kinkora
Leader of the Green Party of PEI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2026 Statement from Green Leader Matt MacFarlane on Government’s Tariff Action Plan Charlottetown, PE – On Friday the PC government released its Tariff Action Plan. There are a number of good first steps in this plan to help our local businesses weather this unpr...

08/28/2026

IRAC's public hearing on Maritime Electric's application to purchase two used diesel generators for over $350 million took place this week. Green Energy Critic MLA Peter Bevan-Baker presented on behalf of Islanders and advocated strongly against this costly and unreliable purchase.

The Maritime Electric application before IRAC does not represent the best value for money, it is not the best investment in our grid, it does not align with our province’s climate and environmental goals, and finally, it is designed to benefit Maritime Electric, not Islanders.

The Green Caucus continues to call on all elected officials to stand up for Islanders to ensure that we get a reliable grid that we can afford.

08/27/2026

RELEASE: Green Caucus Announces New Critic Roles as it Welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows

Today the Green caucus announced new critic roles as it officially welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows to the caucus.

“We are thrilled to have MLA Tayte Willows join our team! Tayte is a strong voice for her community who will bring forward the concerns and ideas of people in District 16. Tayte also has extensive experience working in our healthcare system. As the Green Caucus’ new Health Critic, Tayte will work to improve Islanders’ access to healthcare across the province,” said Green Leader Matt MacFarlane.

Leader of the Third Party Matt MacFarlane will serve as critic for:
- Agriculture
- Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism
- Justice and Public Safety
- Intergovernmental Affairs

Third Party House Leader Peter Bevan-Baker will serve as critic for:
- Housing and Communities
- Finance and Affordability
- Land and Environment
- Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Third Party Whip Karla Bernard will serve as critic for:
- Education and Early Years
- Social Development and Seniors
- Acadian and Francophone Affairs
- Indigenous Relations

Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank will serve as critic for:
- Health and Wellness
- Status of Women
- Workforce and Advanced Learning
- Economic Development, Trade and Artificial Intelligence

“A growing Green caucus means an even stronger opposition in the Legislature that will continue to hold Premier Lantz and his government accountable, and bring forward positive solutions for all Islanders,” said MacFarlane.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2026 Green Caucus Announces New Critic Roles as it Welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows Charlottetown, PE – Today the Green caucus announced new critic roles as it officially welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows t...

08/26/2026

Today Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank was officially sworn in as the newest MLA in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Congratulations and welcome to the PEI Green Caucus, Tayte!

08/24/2026

Statement from Matt MacFarlane: Trade breakdown with the US presents economic opportunity for PEI energy sector

Canada continues to face serious challenges and adversities with our largest trading partner the United States. At a moment like this, I’m proud to see Islanders, Canadians and political parties looking for ways to come together, build our economy and strengthen our country.

PEI may be small, but we can play a big role in solving some of Canada’s largest challenges. One of our greatest opportunities is right in front of us: our electricity grid.

We are at a critical moment for PEI’s energy future. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars locking Islanders into more fossil-fuel generation, we should be asking what that investment could do to modernize our grid, build battery storage and create room for more clean, renewable energy.

For perspective, $350 million is the amount currently being considered to buy two used 50 MW diesel turbines from a US company. Instead we could purchase roughly 100 MW battery storage for as little as $110 million.

That matters because batteries aren’t just a way to store electricity. They can help make a grid with more renewable energy work better. They can store power when supply is high and provide it when demand is high, making it easier to integrate new wind, solar and other renewable generation.

Batteries can also be distributed around the Island and connected to current and new renewable energy source locations which decreases electricity loss over long distance transmission. Locally placed batteries also allow more communities to stay powered – if one goes down the others stay up

We're already seeing the benefits of batteries being taken advantage of in several other provinces. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator recently awarded 640 MW of new generation across 14 projects – its first major procurement of new generation in more than a decade. Every one of these 14 projects paired renewable generation with battery storage.

PEI should be seriously looking at what we can learn from that model.

And we shouldn’t look at this as a PEI issue alone. This is an Atlantic Canadian opportunity.

New Brunswick brings transmission and energy expertise. Nova Scotia has major energy and industrial capacity. PEI can contribute renewable energy, agricultural innovation, opportunities to integrate energy with agriculture, and a manageable scale for testing and demonstrating new technologies.

We shouldn’t sit back and wait for Ottawa to design a program that happens to fit PEI.

We should put PEI-made ideas on the table and ask Canada to invest with us.

If we’re going to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our energy system, Islanders deserve to know that we’re getting the greatest possible value; lower long-term costs, greater energy security, more renewable power and an opportunity to build new economic capacity here at home.

Now is the time to work with our Atlantic neighbours, think bigger than our borders and make the case for PEI.

We can build a stronger grid, a stronger Atlantic economy and a stronger Canada, and PEI can be part of leading that work.

Matt MacFarlane
MLA Borden-Kinkora
Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2026 Statement from Matt MacFarlane: Trade breakdown with the US presents economic opportunity for PEI energy sector Charlottetown, PE – Canada continues to face serious challenges and adversities with our largest trading partner the United States. At a moment like...

08/19/2026

Statement from the PEI Green Caucus: Islanders need leadership for our energy future

Next week, Prince Edward Island is facing one of the biggest energy decisions in decades, and Islanders deserve to have a voice in it. Maritime Electric currently has a proposal in to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) looking for approval to purchase two 50 megawatt used diesel Combustion Turbines at a cost of over $350 million. That cost will be passed on to Island ratepayers through rate increases.

Every Islander with a power bill has a stake in this decision — but Premier Lantz and his government have remained silent. The Green Party is the only political party on PEI standing up for Islanders on these decisions that will impact our energy future for generations to come.

We have a singular goal — that Islanders have the best possible economic and environmental outcome, both present and future.

And expert conclusions are crystal clear: the Maritime Electric application before IRAC does not represent the best value for money, is not the best investment in our grid, does not align with our province’s climate and environmental goals, and finally, is designed to benefit Maritime Electric, not Islanders.

The need to invest in a modern, reliable grid is real. But the solutions Maritime Electric has presented don’t prioritize fiscal responsibility and long-term planning. Experts have been clear that a combination of battery storage and renewal energy options as well as formal collaboration with our neighbouring provinces is the best and cheapest way for Islanders to have long-term reliable access to energy.

Just last month, Premier Lantz signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our neighbouring Maritime provinces to begin a collaborative approach to energy generation and distribution. The Premier and his Minister should ensure that the importance and potential benefit of this new relationship not be hindered by a decision made in haste behind closed doors.

The Green Caucus is calling on all elected officials to stand up for Islanders to ensure that we get a reliable grid that we can afford.

A decision like the one before IRAC where the ratepayers of this province have no advocate is simply wrong. The Green caucus will always be ready to represent the best interests of Islanders.

Matt MacFarlane, MLA Borden-Kinkora and Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island
Peter Bevan-Baker, MLA New Haven-Rocky Point
Karla Bernard, MLA Charlottetown-Victoria Park
Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2026 Statement from the Green Caucus: Islanders need leadership for our energy future Charlottetown, PE – Next week, Prince Edward Island is facing one of the biggest energy decisions in decades, and Islanders deserve to have a voice in it. Maritime Electric curren...