FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2025
Statement from Matt MacFarlane: PC government breaking its own laws to keep its political grip on Health PEI
Charlottetown, PE – Recently the Standing Committee on Health and Social Development received documents, including emails, that show this government has not only been interfering with Health PEI, but also not following the laws that were put in place to provide Islanders with information and transparency when the Minister of Health becomes involved in the operations of our healthcare system.
Following the resignation of former CEO Dr. Michael Gardam, this government directed a full “reset” of the Health PEI executive leadership team. This was a costly, disruptive move that has likely slowed or stalled progress on improving healthcare. But Islanders were never told why this “reset” happened. The PEI Health Services Act requires the Minister of Health to provide written justification for any directive issued to Health PEI. Minister Mark McLane failed to do so, breaking the very laws that govern his office, all so he could avoid being open and transparent with Islanders.
This went unnoticed for months because, as we heard last week in committee, the current CEO Melanie Fraser clearly views her role as directly reporting to the Minister, not to her Board as the law requires, and certainly not to Islanders. This undermines the arms-length independence that Health PEI was designed with. It removes one of the only safeguards Islanders have against political interference in our healthcare system – something that has held PEI back for decades.
For too long, both Liberal and PC governments have focused more on reshuffling executive leadership positions and tightening their political grip on the system than they have on actually improving healthcare for Islanders – and it shows. From lack of access to primary care; some of the longest ER wait times in the country; to failing to meet national benchmarks for routine procedures, healthcare on PEI is in a crisis. Now, more than ever, Islanders need a government they can trust to lead us to better outcomes.
It’s time to stop the political interference and the wasting of time and money on top-heavy leadership. It’s time to start investing in what Islanders are asking for – timely, reliable access to healthcare.
Matthew MacFarlane
Leader of the Green Party of PEI
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Rankin
Chief of Staff
Office of the Third Party
Tel: (902) 213-6378
Email: kerankin@assembly.pe.ca