New hire questioned

Opposition MLA Brad Trivers raises concern over new Liberal executive director

The former chairman of the Order of P.E.I. advisory committee has been hired as the new executive director of the Liberal party of P.E.I.

The new hire by the governing party drew criticism during question period Wednesday. Charles Curley was hired by the Liberal party last month to serve as its executive director, but up until sometime on Wednesday, he was still listed on the Order of P.E.I. website as its chairman. Opposition MLA Brad Trivers questioned Premier Wade MacLauchlan on whether Curley’s employment by a political party created an ethical dilemma.

“Premier, I mean, surely you, a former member of the Order of P.E.I. advisory council yourself and a former recipient of the Order of P.E.I., would recognize the inherent danger of politicizing this process the way you have,” Trivers said.

“How did you allow this situation to occur?” MacLauchlan assured there was no overlap between the two positions, as Curley had resigned from his post with the Order of P.E.I. before he was hired by the party.

But Trivers noted an executive council order is required to make changes to the advisory council.

“To date, cabinet has issued no order-in-council revoking Mr. Curley’s appointment or replacing him with a new chairperson. That’s fact,” Trivers said. MacLauchlan says cabinet dealt this with on Tuesday, and the order-in-council will be issued later this week. The delay in the cabinet decision was to allow Engage P.E.I. to find a replacement for Curley and two other vacancies on the advisory council.

The premier stressed that everything involving this change in positions was conducted above board and that the advisory council’s work remains untouched by any suggestion of politicization. “Islanders should have no concern about the integrity and the upstanding people and the decision-making of the Order of Prince Edward Island advisory council,” he said.

“They give a great service to our province… We should all, in this house, be doing our upmost to uphold the integrity and the reputation of these institutions.”

By the time the issue was raised in question period Wednesday, the Order of P.E.I. website had updated the chairperson position as vacant.

“Premier, I mean, surely you, a former member of the Order of P.E.I. advisory council yourself and a former recipient of the Order of P.E.I., would recognize the inherent danger of politicizing this process the way you have.’’ MLA Brad Trivers