FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2026
Statement from MLA Tayte Willows: PEI’s Chronic Disease Framework Must Now Be Turned into Action for Islanders
Charlottetown, PE – I’ve read the recently released Chronic Disease Framework for Prince Edward Island in full, and there’s real value in seeing prevention, early detection, and management brought together in one place, alongside a clear commitment to health equity and a person-centred approach to care.
The thousands of Islanders living with chronic disease, and the family members, healthcare providers, and community groups who are supporting them, need more than a shared vision. They need a plan.
This framework rightly names collaboration between government, Health PEI, community partners, and residents as central to better outcomes. Now is the moment to build on that foundation with the harder work: an operational plan with timelines, funding, and accountability attached. That means following through on the public policy decisions that move the needle on physical activity, smoking rates and other risk factors, expanding coverage for the technologies and treatments that keep people well, and updating the legislation that lets team-based, collaborative care actually work in practice – not just on paper.
The framework talks about Islanders as partners in their own care, and that’s the right instinct. In practice, this means investing in self-management. Self-management is more than patient education. It involves truly centering the person and their priorities throughout their care journey. It means equipping them with the tools to manage their symptoms and strive for living their best lives. And it requires establishing clear avenues to access care when they need it.
PEI has many assets that can support the prevention, early detection, and effective management of chronic disease: strong community ties, committed health professionals, and now a shared framework to build from. Let’s use it as a starting point, not a finish line. The growing burden of chronic disease on this Island won’t wait for another round of planning. Islanders deserve to see this framework turned into action, with clear next steps and a public accountability of progress.
Tayte Willows
MLA Cornwall-Meadowbank
Third Party Critic for Health and Wellness
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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