The P.E.I. New Democrats have nominated educator and author Lynne Thiele as their candidate in the upcoming byelection in Charlottetown-Winsloe.
During an outdoor nomination meeting held in Charlottetown’s King’s Square, a small group of NDP members acclaimed Thiele as their candidate in the district.
Thiele ran for the NDP during the 2019 federal election in Cardigan and during the 2019 provincial election in Stratford-Keppoch.
In an interview, Thiele said she believes Progressive Conservative Premier Dennis King deserves credit for managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He's done a wonderful job with the pandemic, with making sure that Dr.[Heather] Morrison is listened to," Thiele said.
But Thiele pointed to issues of social inequality and a continuing lack of affordable housing as issues that have persisted in the midst of the pandemic. She took issue with the decision to close down the Mount Herbert Addiction Facility in Stratford during the early weeks of the pandemic.
"There's so many things that have been set aside," Thiele said.
"They cleared out the home, where they were staying for treatment, and said you'll get a phone call in the afternoons. If that was all it took, then that would be enough."
Thiele also said she would be advocating for a basic income guarantee on P.E.I. as well as better water and land protection.
The provincial Green party have also advocated for these same issues in the legislature, including in recent standing committees focused on the issue of high capacity wells.
When asked what would differentiate her position as an NDP candidate, Thiele suggested the Green party is in favour of privatization.
“We haven't stolen their policies and we believe very much that there is public regulation,” Thiele said.
“We don't believe in a privatized free market system which is a little bit more in the Green line."
The Greens have yet to name any potential nominees that are running in Charlottetown-Winsloe.
The PCs will nominate their candidate later on Saturday. The P.E.I. Liberals have acclaimed Zac Murphy as their candidate.
The countdown to the byelection was triggered by the resignation of long-time Liberal MLA Robert Mitchell. The byelection is expected sometime this fall.
Like the Liberals, the New Democrats are currently without an elected leader. The party has announced a leadership convention will take place in spring 2021.
