FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2026
Statement from Matt MacFarlane: Premier’s Inaction Leaves Islanders Holding the Bill
Charlottetown, PE – I am deeply disappointed by IRAC’s decision to allow Maritime Electric to pass Hurricane Fiona recovery costs on to Islanders. Premier Lantz now claims he wants to hold Maritime Electric accountable, but his actions, or inaction, speak louder than his words.
This spring, the Green Party brought forward legislation that would have strengthened accountability for Maritime Electric, introduced clear performance metrics, and created incentives for the company to properly manage vegetation around power lines before disaster strikes. Premier Lantz and his government had the perfect opportunity to act and stand up for Islanders. Instead, they chose to do nothing.
This most recent ruling also raises serious questions about IRAC itself. Time and again, we see IRAC make decisions that fail to put Islanders’ best interests first. Whether it is electricity rates, land issues, gas price regulation, or other matters that directly affect people’s lives, confidence in the commission has steadily eroded.
The Green Party believes Islanders deserve a regulator that is transparent, accountable, and focused on protecting the best interests of all Islanders. Under my leadership, a Green government would dismantle IRAC and replace it with a modern regulatory framework that delivers real accountability for Maritime Electric and puts Islanders first.
Islanders should not be left holding the bill for failures they did not cause. We need a government willing to stand up for ratepayers, demand accountability, and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of Islanders, not utility shareholders.
Matt 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