Legislature is certainly an interesting place. Cameras and microphones are everywhere and everything you say becomes a part of public record on sensitive files that impact all Islanders. The strong presence of the Green caucus has had some immediate benefits to the Legislature. Heckling while Legislators are speaking has ended, committees have been balanced, and collaboration is a term that everyone seems to be throwing around. We managed to get Lynne Lund’s Climate Act amendment, seconded by your truly, passed with some help from PEI’s youth who showed up to let their voices be heard. We were in Legislature late as we started late, so it was midsummer before the house was adjourned.

After that learning experience concluded I turned immediately towards the looming IRAC hearing on Maritime Electric Ltd’s General Rate Application to advocate for a rate structure that both eases the financial burden on most Islanders. I spent a full week of early August in the windowless hearing room of IRAC listening to all sides of the story and presenting my own. Recently IRAC has issued an order freezing rates until Feb 28, 2020 and called for a complete review of the rate structure including what I was advocating for. Time well spent.

I sit on both the Special Committee for Climate Change and the Sustainability and Natural resources Committee. Both of these committees have yet to have their first witnesses come in for presentation. The first will be Maritime Electric Ltd presenting on what their plans for the future of electrical supply on PEI look like. I look forward to seeing their vision and action plan to ensure it coincides with where PEI needs to be moving.

I had my first Monthly Mingle in September where many constituents came out and shared their thoughts with me. I look forward to many more!