FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 24, 2023

Statement by Hon. Peter Bevan-Baker on Premier King’s unwillingness to learn from the response to post-tropical storm Fiona

This past weekend marked the four-month anniversary of post-tropical storm Fiona hitting our province and causing unparalleled destruction and hardship. Despite the Premier’s assurances, we still have no announced plan to conduct a review of our province’s response to the storm. Instead of positioning us to learn from our mistakes, the Premier is setting us up to repeat them.

In the fall sitting of the House, the Green caucus introduced a motion calling on government to announce a public inquiry into our Fiona response. As we have stated repeatedly, a public inquiry is the best avenue to ensure a thorough investigation—one that is independent, public, and can compel third parties to participate.

I am increasingly worried the Premier is avoiding a public inquiry and find myself wondering why. Our province cannot afford to let political motivations or a reluctance to ask tough questions prevent us from exercising leadership when it comes to matters of safety and wellbeing of Islanders.

It is only a matter of time before we have another storm like Fiona, and our province needs to be far better prepared than it was this past fall. I don’t want to see seniors waiting for days in the dark again. I don’t want Islanders waiting hours in line for financial supports that hardly cover their losses. I don’t want Islanders waiting weeks to get their power back.

The Premier should do the right thing and launch a public inquiry into the response to post-tropical storm Fiona. And if he’s afraid or unwilling to do so, he should be open and honest about it.

Peter Bevan-Baker, MLA New Haven-Rocky Point
Leader of the Official Opposition Green Caucus

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Hamel
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (902) 213-0718
Email: jdhamel@assembly.pe.ca