Byrne satisfied no election this spring

As the newly elected leader of the New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island, Joe Byrne said he’s pleased premier Wade MacLauchlan did not call a snap spring election.

“There was no way we would have been ready for an election on May 7,” said Byrne who just took over as leader of the Island New Democrats on April 7.

According to the fixed election date process, Prince Edward Island’s electorate is expecting a fall 2019 election

“The fact is, Wade (MacLauchlan) has demonstrated a certain willingness to be arbitrary about it. He is the premier, he gets to decide, and there is no consequence for changing the law on this one,” said Byrne, during an interview following a recent daylong tour of western P.E.I. He said the premier could have been a lot clearer when rumours of a spring election started circulating.

“But, for some reason, the idea of being able to manipulate the system for an individual party advantage is too attractive for him to discount,” Byrne reflected.

The premier subsequently discounted a spring election but Byrne said the premier still seems interested in exercising his discretion on the election date.

“If we have a law then it’s reasonable to expect that the premier will also follow the law and, barring a decision of the legislature to enact an amendment for special circumstances, which may happen, by the way, then he should follow the law,” he insisted.

Even then, Byrne feels parties should have eight or nine months to prepare for an election.

The NDP leader said his party is starting to organize founding meetings for the riding associations in keeping with the new electoral boundaries and is making contact with perspective candidates.

A former leader of the party, Dr. Herb Dickieson, accompanied Byrne on his Western P.E.I. tour, but Dickieson would not comment on whether he would be seeking a seat for the New Democrats in the next provincial election. Byrne plans to seek the candidacy in District 12, Charlottetown-Victoria Park.