Cheers & Jeers
Cheers to Coun. Mitch Tweel and members of Charlottetown City Council for passing a unanimous resolution recognizing the achievements of Summerside native Gerard Gallant, head coach of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The resolution moved by Coun. Tweel states that: “That the City of Charlottetown extend congratulations to Gerard Gallant for receiving a multi-year contract extension as the head coach of the Florida Panthers and being named as coach of the Atlantic Division All Star Team. Coun. Tweel said Gallant once again has made all Islanders proud. (Gallant was back in Summerside last week for the funeral of his mother Roseline.)
Jeers to Island motorists who don’t take an extra 20 seconds or so to clean snow and ice off the roof of their vehicles. That snow and ice can often fly off the roof of the vehicle when it’s on the road, creating a rather dangerous situation to other vehicles that now have to dodge these flying objects. Also, jeers to motorists who also don’t take the time to brush snow off their head and taillights. There isn’t much sense in turning headlights on if no one is going to see them.
Cheers to P.E.I. auditor general Jane MacAdam who is considering looking into spending by government backbench and Opposition offices, which includes a so-called slush fund available for MLA expenses. MacAdam says an audit of the Liberal and Progressive Conservative caucus offices is not currently on her planned audit schedule, but she is aware of the public discussions on the issue and this could change her plans. There is pressure mounting on Premier Wade MacLauchlan to call in the AG after spending irregularities were revealed in The Guardian last week but Ms. MacAdam may pre-empt that call on her own. Bravo.
to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission for finally reacting to the reality of a $30 a barrel world price for oil. IRAC dropped the price per litre by five cents Thursday — a miniscule drop considering the realities of the current world price. It was long overdue and woefully inadequate. A letter writer last week noted that in 2009, the price per barrel was about the same and gas was 67.0 cpl compared to the current price of 90 cpl. That’s a difference of about 40 per cent. How has the world economy of refining of oil changed so much for the worse in such a short time?
Jeers to the provincial government for forcing a mother to seek help for her daughter before a P.E.I. Human Rights Commission hearing. The discrimination complaint is for lack of support through the province’s disability support program which doesn’t cover people with mental illness. The daughter has schizophrenia, initially diagnosed in 2011. Since then, the mother has been trying to get her support. The province has made progress with mental health issues but the current program only covers Islanders with physical or intellectual disabilities. The province intended to add a second phase that would help Islanders with mental illness, but that hasn’t happened.
Cheers to Holland College which tied for first place in reputation scores for post-secondary institutions across Atlantic Canada, according to a recent survey, the Atlantic Higher Education Reputation Monitor by Corporate Research Associates. Holland College surpassed the regional survey average of 78 per cent with respondents rating the college 83 per cent overall. It achieved an incredible 99 per cent familiarity rating - which demonstrates that the college is indeed on the map.