Palmer ‘ready’ for new role

Chris Palmer will draw from his past as a former business owner as he takes on the role of minister of Economic Development and Tourism. On Wednesday, Premier Wade MacLauchlan shuffled cabinet; announcing two ministers were stepping down and would not run in the next election.

With the switch-up, Palmer joined cabinet taking over the department formerly run by Heath MacDonald. Palmer, who represents Summerside-Wilmot, was elected in the 2016 byelection after Janice Sherry resigned from politics. “Business, economic development and tourism are my thing. It’s an area I’m passionate about,” said Palmer.

He said he was surprised to be part of the shuffle but he’s ready to take on the role.

“I’m looking forward to making a change. Making it so Islanders don’t have to move away or so that Islanders can come back.”

Palmer says the first thing he plans to do is analyze the tools used to determine if the department is successful in growing economic development and Island tourism. “I want to find those key indicating factors and understand the business of what this department does and if we’re doing it right.” Minster Robert Henderson was also part of the shuffle. The former minister of Health is now the minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. Robert Mitchell has taken over the Health portfolio. The O’Leary-Inverness MLA said he is starting out with a depth of knowledge of Agriculture and Fisheries, having operated a farm in Freeland and having grown up around the shellfish industry. He still owns the farm property but rents out his land and buildings. He worked in shellfish leasing in the 1980s.

“I’m not lost when I get on a boat or an oyster dory or on a tractor. That will help me,” he said.

There are three fishing ports in his riding and Henderson said he has lots of constituents who are farmers or fishermen whom he can turn to for advice. Henderson was first elected in 2007. He became minister of Tourism following the 2011 election, but was left out of cabinet following the 2015 election. He was invited back to the cabinet table in January 2016.

He said it is his intention to seek a fourth term when Islanders go to the polls again. “I’m 56 years of age. I feel I have a lot more to contribute to this province and to my career and to the riding of O’Leary-Inverness.”