FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 2026
Statement from Matt MacFarlane calling for complete overhaul of Health PEI spending and direction
Charlottetown, PE – The PC government continues to spend Islanders money recklessly and with no concern for our growing deficit. We recently learned that over $400,000 of taxpayers’ money has been spent on moving costs for new Health PEI executives. This includes $135,833.34 real estate commission reimbursed to Health PEI CEO Melanie Fraser. That is simply unacceptable.
Islanders are struggling to access basic care, like a family doctor or timely emergency services, yet we see hundreds of thousands of dollars being used to relocate senior executives instead of putting those resources where they belong: into patient care, frontline staff, and services that Islanders actually need.
Under the current PC government and the health authority’s CEO, Health PEI has become one of the biggest impediments to healthcare access in this province. Not one Islander holds an executive leadership position at Health PEI anymore, and the decisions being made show how little priority is placed on Islanders’ well-being.
We need a complete overhaul of Health PEI. That means:
- Resetting the direction of the executive leadership to one that prioritizes Islanders healthcare, not executive positions and perks.
- Spending needs to be reined in and be focused on the frontline services that Islanders rely on.
- Bringing decision-making back to Islanders, not Toronto consulting firms. Our health system should be designed by and for Islanders.
There is a better path forward. With trustworthy leadership and Islanders in charge of Island healthcare, PEI can deliver the best healthcare access in Canada. We just need the right people leading the way.
To begin rebuilding trust, I am calling on Premier Thompson to immediately direct CEO Melanie Fraser to reimburse Islanders the $135,833.34 that she was given for real estate fees. I am also sending a letter to the Auditor General to request a review of the current CEO’s spending on travel and executive perks.
It’s time to get Health PEI back on track. For Islanders, by Islanders.
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