PC meeting rescheduled for Feb. 11

P.E.I. Tories will have to wait another week before they can hear directly from their two new leaders, thanks to Monday’s storm.

The Progressive Conservative party was scheduled to hold a provincial council meeting Monday in Charlottetown.

These meetings are open to all members of the party and are held to update the membership on party activities.

The party has an entirely new face now that Olive Crane officially resigned as party and Opposition leader last week. Now those roles are being filled by two people. Georgetown-St. Peters MLA Steven Myers was chosen by the party’s executive and caucus as interim leader and Tignish-Palmer Road MLA Hal Perry has the majority of the five Tory MLAs supporting him as Opposition leader.

Fireworks were expected at Monday’s meeting of the membership, as some within the party are questioning the legality of Perry holding onto his claim to the Opposition leader position. They maintain the party’s constitution and parliamentary practice say the leader of the party should also be the Opposition leader, as long as the leader is an elected member of the legislature.

The P.E.I. legislature does not have rules to cover this specific scenario, but usually defers to the rules of the House of Commons when such a situation arises.

The clerk of the legislature, Charles MacKay, provided The Guardian with a copy of the most up-to-date rules on this question in December. They state if the leader of the designated Opposition party holds a seat in the legislature, he or she automatically becomes Opposition leader. It did not specify any rules regarding interim party leaders.

At that time, Crane had indicated she planned to stay on as Opposition leader after resigning as party leader.

MacKay said in December if the speaker received no directive from the Tory caucus regarding its leader, Crane would have remained de facto Opposition leader.

But if the caucus as a whole did not agree with this, they could write to the speaker and indicate who, among their elected members, their choice for Opposition leader would be. That person would then become Opposition leader.

Sources within the PC party tell The Guardian this may be challenged by some within the party.

The PC provincial council meeting has been rescheduled for next Monday evening.

twright@theguardian.pe.ca

SG: - February 7, 2013 at 11:09:50

I couldn't care less when the meeting is. Maybe Duffy could speak. I'm sure that would increase attendance! haha

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Kevin PC: - February 6, 2013 at 10:54:10

Our fine party is in dire need of positivity...Positive actions,positive ideas and positive press.UNITY and SOLIDARITY must be job#1at this immediate point and time. We have to put principles before personalities and get back to the most important job at hand which is holding the Liberals accountable for their lackluster attempt at governing our province.Every second we take focus away from the needs and wants of the people of PEI,and put it on inner turmoil within our party,our MLA's and the voters have valuable time and energy stolen from them that can be much better spent on more constructive issues.I look forward to more answers than questions at the Monday Feb 11th Conservative meeting in Charlottetown

hal and his pals steve and mike: - February 5, 2013 at 20:04:23

remember the days that Ron Mackinley was the laughing stock of pei politics well I guess they are over,now only if we could find someone not from pei to appoint as senator!!

Garth Staples: - February 5, 2013 at 19:40:52

I don't know how many times I have to repeat: The position of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is a FUNCTION of the Legislative Assembly. It is not dependent on a political party.

C.Trail: - February 5, 2013 at 19:38:58

It not only seems quite clear,it is a fact that the elected caucas has the duty to appoint the leader of the opposition.They have done so in a democratic manner. All caucas members had a vote.Have known Hal Perry and his family for many years and he is far from a fraud.In my opinion he is the real deal!! Sure hope he remains leader of the opposition,and we just might find the real fraud artists in both parties.

COMEON: - February 5, 2013 at 19:24:53

Come on guys,just find a way to work together for the good of the Party and all Islanders.It is time to set aside all that is bitter and do what is better. You are both gentlemen ,respected by those who put you there in the last election.Islanders deserve your combined energy and commitment.Don,t let us down.

Bill Kays: - February 5, 2013 at 18:01:21

It should be up to the everyday members to elect their leader, not the current way. Why should a leader be voted in with only the majority of 12 or 13 people? This way it is easier for the backroom boys to control things. Let's call for a real change, by changing how things have always been done. Why keep the status quo if it leads only to in house fighting and back room back stabbing? If the PC party really wants to be PROGRESSIVE, throw out all of the old and start fresh, otherwise the credibility of the party is at stake. I for one will not believe one word that comes out of any of these so called leaders.

West Prince political observer.: - February 5, 2013 at 17:16:54

It seems qquite clear to me the leader of the opposition is traditionally selected by the caucas,(elected members of the legislature).This was done and Mr. Perry was declared as the leader of the opposition.Congratulations Hal.Mr.Myers has stated that he felt that both positions should be held by the same person.I agree and he should not have put his name forward to be interim party leader.That only shows that you can not believe what he says.However I think likely that he was pushed by the establishmentin the party,.The backroom boys just will not give up!!!Until they are weeded out this party is going nowhere.Mr Myers you are being used. Since you do not have the support of caucas,you should step down and allow Hal Perry hold both positions.

Olive Crane

- February 5, 2013 at 20:29:40

Enough of this gutter politics about personal records and payments!

harold: - February 5, 2013 at 17:05:56

Jah, why not bring up McAdam , - since we are talking about greedy torries, - wonder how his lawclaim is going, --- the PC party is SORRY MESS. stupid, stupid, stupid, - surporters must be embarrased to tears.

Sally: - February 5, 2013 at 16:17:50

You're right to say that one of them is being a cheat in all of this, but you got it wrong who is being inappropriate. The election for leader had been scheduled for over a month. The day before the election Olive and Hal walked into a dark corner somewhere and came running out saying "surprise, no need to have a legitimate election!" That's like you and I showing up for a General Election and saying "surprise, we're not voting, we've just named ourselves as Premier and Minister of Finance." We can do that, but nobody needs to listen to us or take us seriously. Neither should anyone take Hal Perry seriously. He's a fraud.

Molly Morgan: - February 5, 2013 at 15:45:58

Hal Perry is like that lady on The Office who just runs into the Manager's office when nobody is looking and starts calling himself the Manager. lol. It's pretty embarrassing for Hal and Olive that they're still up to this silliness. Steve Myers is Leader of the Opposition. Everyone knows it. Grow up, Hal.

scottydd: - February 5, 2013 at 15:17:26

I think they should grow up and do whats best for the party. The Liberals are sitting back laughing and the NDP are loving every second of this.If Mr Myres was any kind of man of his word (wanting to unite the party) he would not have put his name in the race to begin with Mr Perry was elected first do the right thing and let's fix this before it's too late if it's not already!!!!

Molly Morgan

- February 5, 2013 at 17:28:03

It seems "quite clear" to you that something that's never happened before is the way it usually happens? lol. What are, Hal Perry's brother? Stop talking. You're embarrassing yourself.

why not join MacAdam and sue for ACOA job: - February 5, 2013 at 13:56:48

Meetings are so passe', the party seems to be destroying itself completely, whats the point of a meeting? Now that there is two leaders it may be difficult for insiders of the Reform Conservative camp to make threats about personal ruin. Should the party seek and expose who the big shots were who threatened the previous leader

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The Guardian - News - Local

PC meeting rescheduled for Feb. 11

Party members expected to take issue with Opposition leader decision

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