A big cabinet shuffle Wednesday in P.E.I. is drawing criticism over what is now missing from executive council – representation for eastern P.E.I. and additional female cabinet ministers.
Montague Mayor Richard Collins says he was disappointed to learn there will be no MLA at the cabinet table from anywhere east of the Hillsborough River.
“In my living memory, I can never recall that ever happening, that there’s been no cabinet minister that wasn’t from this side of the Hillsborough Bridge in government,” Collins said.
He worries this will mean a reduced voice fighting for eastern P.E.I. that could also lead to reduced services.
“It’s a concern because I’ve been told many times by MLAs that unless you’re at the cabinet table, you don’t have any influence.”
Allen Roach and Alan McIsaac both announced Wednesday they would step down from cabinet, but remain on as MLAs for their districts.
They are the only two members of MacLauchlan’s caucus with seats east of the Hillsborough Bridge, so this left the premier with few options.
Related: Roach, McIsaac out, Palmer, Brown in as part of P.E.I. cabinet shuffle
Premier Wade MacLauchlan said he expected McIsaac and Roach to continue to be strong advocates for their region, adding the two former cabinet ministers might have a greater ability to work for their constituents now that they are no longer burdened with a portfolio.
“I’m confident that the area east of the river will be well represented, will continue to prosper and there is tons of room to work together as a caucus and together with our MPs and communities to advance those roles,” MacLauchlan said.
But Collins says he believes more could have been done to ensure the voice of eastern P.E.I. is represented at executive council, including trying to convince one of the eastern Liberal MLAs to continue on.
Meanwhile, the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government raised its own concerns over the cabinet shuffle Wednesday over the fact it produced no increase in the number of women.
Related: Percentage of women in P.E.I. cabinet lowest in Canada: coalition
The current cabinet includes only two women among the 11 cabinet positions, which represents 18 per cent.
