Sonny Gallant named interim P.E.I. Liberal leader
Takes role left vacant by Robert Mitchell, who is considering bid for permanent leadership
Longtime MLA and former government house leader Sonny Gallant has been named interim leader of the P.E.I. Liberal party.
Gallant takes the reins from Robert Mitchell, who announced he was stepping down and considering seeking the permanent Liberal leadership one week ago. Mitchell stepped into the role after former premier Wade MacLauchlan failed to win his seat in the April provincial election and subsequently stepped down.
Gallant, MLA for District 24
Federal agency looking into Kensington Co-Op Feed Mill accident
KENSINGTON – The federal body responsible for regulating feed mills is investigating an August accident here that saw an individual get his leg caught in a piece of machinery.
“The Labour Program is investigating this incident as the employer falls under federal jurisdiction. When the Labour Program is conducting an investigation, we cannot comment on any specific findings, nor can we publicly share any documents or information,” said a spokesperson for Employment and Social Development Canada in an emailed statement to the Journal Pioneer. Evangeline-Miscouche who was first elected in 2007, was named interim leader at a meeting of the entire provincial executive for the P.E.I. Liberals Monday evening.
“It is with great enthusiasm and appreciation that I accept the role of interim leader,” said Gallant. “Over the coming weeks and months I look forward to working alongside my caucus members and our entire membership to build up our party, from tip to tip.”
Gallant has previously served as minister of workforce and advanced learning, government house leader and deputy speaker.
Currently, Gallant serves and the Liberal caucus critic for economic development and tourism and Acadian and francophone affairs.
“Our party will be served well by Sonny’s experience in the legislature, and we are all looking forward to his tenure as interim leader as he works to keep the Dennis King Conservative government to account inside the legislature while vigorously working to rebuild our party infrastructure across our province,” says interim party president, Marilyn Lowther.
“It is with great enthusiasm and appreciation that I accept the role of interim leader.”
Sonny Gallant