Paul MacNeill

3 weeks ago | peicanada.com | Paul MacNeill

It’s not yet crumbled, but the foundation of the PC government, so firmly entrenched with Island voters under Dennis King, is showing significant wear and tear under Rob Lantz. King quit, Lantz replaced him, and the legislature was prorogued for a month to allow a supposed reset. But the Speech from the Throne was a snore fest, lacking both vision and boldness. Much was a rehash of rehash. Did we really need a delay simply to tell Islanders we’ll be investing more in trade missions?

4 weeks ago | peicanada.com | Paul MacNeill

It is the race that was never supposed to be. What was supposed to be a Conservative coronation is now a dogfight for the hearts and minds of Canadians in what is potentially the most consequential election in our nation’s history. Just a few months ago, Pierre Poilievre was viewed by all as the prime minister in waiting. Leading in the polls by 27 points, the political lifer with no work experience outside Ottawa was riding his sharp tongue and catch-phrases to a potentially historic majority.

1 month ago | peicanada.com | Paul MacNeill

Diminished by scandal, the Liberal government was near the end of its best-before date with the electorate. Surprising many, the unpopular leader quit, seemingly throwing the keys to government to an unproven opposition of questionable talent. But a white knight rode in who froze out any potential leadership opponents and used name recognition and reputation to turn flailing Liberal fortunes around, even securing an unexpected third majority government in a row. kAm%96 A2C2==6=D 36EH66?

1 month ago | peicanada.com | Paul MacNeill

Nothing in Island history quite compares to the head-spinning pace of change of the last three weeks…Premier King quits. Premier Lantz is sworn in. King is named Ambassador to Ireland. US tariffs are off. Then on. Then off again. If you kept track of all of that without suffering whiplash, throw in an imminent federal election – just two months ago guaranteed to be a Conservative blow-out – that now appears to be a dogfight.

1 month ago | peicanada.com | Paul MacNeill

Rob Lantz had the world by the tail in 2015 as the newly minted leader of the PC Party of PEI. The former Charlottetown city councillor immediately elevated an often dysfunctional party into something resembling a government in waiting. Enthusiasm for the provincial election later that year only grew in Tory circles.