The Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly, which was scheduled to resume sitting on Tuesday, has been prorogued following the swearing-in of Rob Lantz as the 34th premier of the province.
Lantz stepped into the role after former Premier Dennis King announced his resignation on Thursday. The Progressive Conservative caucus endorsed Lantz to become the new leader of the party and, by extension, the new premier of the province.
Following the ceremony, the provincial cabinet passed a resolution to prorogue the Legislative Assembly and reconvene on March 25 with a Speech from the Throne.
“This will be the first opportunity for His Honour to deliver a Speech from the Throne in the Legislative Assembly since being sworn in and will set out the priorities of our government in the face of tariffs and uncertain economic times,” a news release from the Office of the Premier reads.
‘A new chapter’
Lantz is the first to admit he didn’t expect to be standing before the P.E.I. public as its 34th premier.
“The path to this chapter has been anything but normal,” Lantz said during his swearing-in ceremony at the P.E.I. Government House on Friday.
Lantz previously served as the party’s leader in 2015 but resigned after failing to win the election that year.
“I never imagined myself back here,” he said. “That experience taught me the value of resilience. Every step along the way has reinforced my commitment to make a difference for the people of the Island.”
Lantz, who has served as minister of Housing, Land and Communities, and Education and Early Years, was first elected to represent the Charlottetown-Brighton riding in 2023. Prior to that he served two terms on Charlottetown City Council.
“Today begins a new chapter, one I embrace with gratitude,” Lantz said. “It’s a new chapter in my story and more importantly in the story of Prince Edward Island. It’s a story shaped by those before me.
“I am truly thankful for the unanimous support of my caucus and for every islander who’s reached out with words of encouragement. I had no idea so many people had my phone number.”
Lantz said he doesn’t “intend to skip a beat” as he takes over the reins of the provincial government.
“The road ahead might have challenges but it’s also filled with opportunities,” he said. “We have a strong foundation.”
King’s resignation
During Thursday’s announcement, King said he’s choosing to step down in the interest of his family and the people of the island.
He added the public nature of the job and steady stream of crises that hit the island has taken a toll.
“This is the most difficult job a person can do because of the public nature of it, and the full public responsibility that lands with it every day,” King said Thursday.
“If you could ever get 75 per cent support, it’s an amazing number. If you help 75 per cent of the people, it’s an amazing feat. But there’s 25 per cent that don’t get helped. And in P.E.I. you know who they are.”
“I’d say it’s a shock, but not so much a surprise,” Lantz said. “The premier has been very honest with me and he has been public about the fact that he wouldn’t stick around forever.”
King was elected premier of P.E.I. in 2019, forming the first minority government in the province since 1890 and ending 12 years of Liberal governance.
His party’s re-election in 2023 saw them return to the Legislative Assembly with a commanding majority.
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