Getting closer
MacLauchlan mum on election date, says recent polls show positive signs for government
Premier Wade MacLauchlan has been reading deeply into recent public opinion polls and told The Guardian the data showing approval in the performance of the provincial government were “as much as I believe I can ask for.” MacLauchlan made the comments during a year-end interview with The Guardian. During the interview, the full transcript of which will be published Dec. 27, MacLauchlan spoke about P.E.I.’s growing economy, the outcome of the Sherwood Motel trial, P.E.I.’s housing crunch and the growing popularity of the provincial Green Party.
His comments about recent opinion polls are a departure for the premier. In past interviews, MacLauchlan has stated he does not put much stock in opinion polls. MacLauchlan also provided some hints of his plans for the timing the next election but stopped short of announcing outright when it will be held.
“We’re sort of on the runway,” MacLauchlan said, of his plans for an election call. “I was visiting with my mom and my brother this morning and one thing my brother said is ‘we’re one day closer today than we were yesterday.’” MacLauchlan said recent opinion polls have shown a high amount of public support for the overall performance of his government. A recent Corporate Research Associates poll showed that, despite a 24 per cent approval waiting for MacLauchlan as leader, 57 per cent of Islanders were either mostly or completely satisfied with the performance of his government.
“I’ll be happy to be a premier that’s going into an election with that mandate,” MacLauchlan said.
The Liberal Party is in a virtual tie with the Green Party in terms of public support, going into what many view as an election year. MacLauchlan pointed to the strong job growth in P.E.I., as well as gains in the manufacturing sector. The Island leads the country in employment growth according to a recent report issued by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. MacLauchlan said the Island also leads the country in growth of the manufacturing sector.
But the Island has also experienced economic challenges in the last year. Farmers faced a difficult growing season due to a dry summer, followed by the early onset of winter. Several plant closures occurred, as well. In November, Diversified Metal Engineering went into receivership, resulting in the loss of 165 jobs, while a packaging facility owned by Cavendish Farms closed in July, affecting 40 workers.
MacLauchlan did express regret over his response to a question posed by Guardian reporter Jim Day earlier in the year about the closure of the Cavendish Farms plant in O’Leary. During the August interview, MacLauchlan said the 40 jobs lost represented only one per cent of the new full-time jobs created in P.E.I. during the past two years. MacLauchlan said he regretted the remarks. He said he meant to express more concern for the welfare of the affected workers and the community of O’Leary.
“I spent a lot of time talking to Alex Campbell about his days as premier. And he would say to me ‘the best speech you make is on the way home,’” MacLauchlan said. “There’s a good example of, if I could have had a do-over on that one, or turned around and gone back, I would have.”