01/09/2026
Prince Edward Island’s energy future is at a crossroads. Now more than ever we need to have a plan to make sure Islanders now and into the future can rely on our energy supply.
People know me primarily as a politician and as Leader of the PEI Liberal Party. My career outside of politics is in the electric utility industry.
I’ve climbed poles across Prince Edward Island. I was part of the small team that helped repair the undersea cables when they were damaged in December 1997. I’ve traveled across North America supporting communities in getting their power back on after a major storm. I’ve worked on the control, protection and maintenance of electrical substations and turbines. I understand firsthand how our grid works, and just as importantly, where it’s being stretched beyond its limits. That experience gives me a unique and practical perspective on our energy needs.
The reality is this: technology has changed, demand has surged, and planning has not kept pace. While electrification is essential, and while smart environmental policy matters, the Conservatives pushed aggressive policies around heat pumps, electric vehicles, and electric buses without doing the necessary work to prepare our grid for the increased demand.
Now Islanders are being warned about the very real possibility of rolling blackouts this winter as a result of the Conservatives’ lack of planning. That is simply unacceptable.
Today, I listened closely to two Standing Committee meetings where Maritime Electric outlined both the need for rate increases and the necessity of new undersea cables. At a time when the cost of living is already squeezing Island families trying to make ends meet, the prospect of yet another rate hike is deeply concerning.
As we build our platform for the next general election, we are engaging directly with Islanders and energy experts.
Through those conversations, guided by my firm belief that we must do better, we will commit to the following under a new Liberal government:
▪️Review the mandated rate of return for Maritime Electric, currently near 10%. Islanders are already carrying an increasing burden in this energy crisis. That burden must be shared by Maritime Electric and its shareholders, and not borne solely by ratepayers.
▪️Build innovation into our grid. That means responsibly exploring natural gas infrastructure, expanding solar and wind capacity, and investing in emerging, cutting-edge technologies, such as storage. Conservatives have been reactive, not proactive. We must meet today’s needs while building for tomorrow so Islanders are never again left playing catch-up on something as essential as power.
▪️Deliver real regulatory accountability. Late last year, I committed to a full review of IRAC and its functions. That commitment stands. Islanders deserve transparency, strong oversight, and clear answers about how Maritime Electric plans, operates, and prepares for the future.
Islanders deserve better. I was proud to be part of a government that reduced electricity rates by 14% while investing in new technologies. I will bring that same focus, urgency, and determination back to government because our energy system must work for Islanders, not against them.
