There is no question P.E.I. politics changed dramatically in 2019.
Not only is the Coles Building now home to the first functioning minority government in Island history, but for the first time the official Opposition is neither the Liberal nor Progressive Conservative Party. Certainly the rise of the Green Party to heights not obtained in any other legislature in the country was spearheaded in large measure by the popularity of leader Peter Bevan-Baker and a wave of sympathy caused by the tragic death of candidate Josh Underhay and his son just days before the election.
The reaction in the wake of the tragedy showed P.E.I. at its most caring. Politics was quickly shunted aside, despite the fact there were only days left in what was predicted to be a close election. In terms of the popular vote, there was essentially a three-way split with the Progressive Conservatives at 36.73 per cent, the Greens at 30.55 per cent and the Liberals at 29.41 per cent.
Following the election, cooperation and consultation were the buzzwords being used by all sides. A new era of politics was promised with Premier Dennis King as the biggest cheerleader. It will continue to be a work in progress and the two opposition parties have to walk a fine line or they may be seen as too close to the government instead of an alternative.
Certainly, that cooperative spirit is no doubt aided by the fact both opposition parties have to combine forces to bring down the King administration and the Greens and Liberals both have zero interest in doing that right at this point.
With the exception of Bevan-Baker and Charlottetown Belvedere MLA Hannah Bell, the rest of the official Opposition are newcomers to provincial politics. While the Green wave that swept over the province April 23 helped bring them to office, they will be incumbents the next time they head to the polls and will be judged on their performance in office, and the more experience they have in the job the better their chances will be.
The Liberals had three people in the role of leader in 2019. Wade MacLauchlan began the year as premier but resigned shortly after losing – not only the election but his own Stanhope-Marshfield seat. Robert Mitchell took over on an interim basis for the summer legislature session but then stepped aside, saying he was considering a permanent run at the job. Veteran MLA Sonny Gallant took over. There is no date or declared candidates for the convention but the race should heat up soon.
That spirit of cooperation may change after the Green candidates get some experience and the Liberals get a leader. The big question still to be answered is whether the change will have staying power. Certainly, the operation of standing committees has been changed for the foreseeable future with equal representation from all parties. That includes the committee that recommends the rules to the legislature.
It is hard to imagine any future committee recommending a return to a situation where the government has the majority of members. The only way it could happen would be through a debate in the legislature and that would likely be seen by Islanders as nothing more than a power grab.
Andy Walker is an Island-based writer and commentator. His column appears regularly in The Guardian and Journal Pioneer.
