Summerside's council voted earlier this week to repeal the city's taxi bylaw, deeming it 'redundant.' The mayor says the move should open the door to different ways of getting around.

Many stories dominated the news cycle on Prince Edward Island this year. To break down some of the big headlines, Sally Pitt and Paul MacNeill joined CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

The federal agency created to boost economic development in Atlantic Canada is chasing dozens of bad loans worth millions of dollars. Court documents show ACOA is seeking money from a variety of P.E.I. businesses in multiple fields.

Health P.E.I. has negotiated a contract with a private clinic in Moncton, N.B., to increase access to MRI scans for some Prince Edward Island patients, says agency CEO Melanie Fraser. 

Strategic Holdings Inc. is facing four charges while its president, 32-year-old Nathan Kember, faces seven.

It's getting harder to find an apartment on Prince Edward Island, according to new data released by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation this week. 

Peter Bevan-Baker, the Green Party’s energy critic, says the utility’s plan to expand its power generation on the Island by investing in things like diesel-powered generators is shortsighted. 

An 18-year-old man from Charlottetown has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run involving a pedestrian in the city earlier this month. 

Prince Edward Islanders can expect nearly 25 cm of snow and wind gusts of up to 80 km/h this weekend, says Environment Canada. 

Gas, furnace oil and diesel prices all increased overnight.  The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission approved an increase of 2.5 cents per litre in the price of regular gasoline, while the price of furnace oil rose by 5.5 cents per litre, and the price of diesel went up by 3.5 cents per litre.  Including taxes, pump prices for regular self-serve gasoline now range from 163.2 to 164.3 cents per litre.  Diesel goed for 185.8 to 187.0 cents per litre.  The maximum price for furnace oil is 126.5 cents per litre.

The province is taking a number of initiatives in its efforts to build stronger ties with the United States of America going into 2025.  Those initiatives include the naming of a special Cabinet Committee on U.S. Relations; a Team PEI mission to the United States early in 2025; and an advertising campaign that will be launched in key northeastern U.S. markets to promote products exported from PEI to highlight the potential impacts tariffs could have on the trade relationship.  

The United States is Prince Edward Island’s top trading partner, with exports totalling $1.7 billion dollars per year, nearly 80% of PEI’s total exports.

Environment Canada has continued the Special Weather Statement for PEI, saying the Island could see 15 cm or possibly more of snow from tonight through Saturday night with winds gusting northeasterly 70 to 80 km/h.  Broken down, we could see 5cm of snow tonight, and another 10cm on Saturday with those strong winds causing blowing snow with poor visibility and poor driving conditions.

Some post-secondary students on Prince Edward Island say they struggle to find part-time and full-time employment during or after their studies.

A five-year-old Jersey named Delphie was crowned grand champion at this year's Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, the seventh such champion from P.E.I. It was just another honour for the cow owned by Blair and Jaime Weeks of Pleasant Valley. The Island's agriculture minister, a past winner at the Royal, says the Island punches above its weight when it comes to dairy cows. Nancy Russell introduces us to Delphie.

Premier Dennis King sits down with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin in the final year-end interview with leaders of P.E.I.'s political parties.

A proposed Nordic spa project in the Chelton Beach area of P.E.I. will be 40 per cent smaller than first planned, its developer told those who gathered in Summerside Wednesday night for a final public meeting on whether approval should be granted.

Police say they have seized 1.5 kilograms of what is believed to be methamphetamine and 40 grams of suspected cocaine from a residence in Anglo Tignish, along with cash, weapons and a vehicle. 

IT’S THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TODAY!

PEI WEATHER

Special Weather Statement still in effect for tomorrow night into Saturday with significant snowfall expected for Queens and Kings counties.

ANSWER: JINGLE BELLS!

Environment Canada's special weather statement for this weekend now includes all three counties on Prince Edward Island. 

A new report released this week shows growth in PEI’s health care workforce, particularly when it comes to nurse practitioners and family physicians.  The Canadian Institute for Health Information says the province’s supply of nurse practitioners per 10-thousand population grew from 7.6 in 2014 to 37.5 in 2023 – a growth rate more than twice the national average.   The data shows that PEI’s family physician supply grew by 6.3 per cent in 2021, 4.1 per cent in 2022, and 5.8 per cent in 2023. In contrast, national growth saw increases of only 1.4 per cent in 2021, 1.8 per cent in 2022, and a decline of 0.1 per cent in 2023

Maritime Electric is looking to IRAC for approval to purchase equipment at a price tag of $427-million — equipment it says it needs to generate more power locally.  With the growing population and electrification, and the uncertainty that comes with purchasing power from other provinces, Maritime Electric wants to generate more power on-island.  To do that, it wants to buy a combustion turbine, a battery for energy storage, and internal combustion engines.  Last year, the company experienced a new system peak load of 359 megawatts, and it believes buying this equipment for local generation will be more the more cost-effective approach.  The cost would be passed on to customers, with a phased-in approach.

Justin Trudeau’s path to stay on as prime minister appears to be narrowing.  His inner circle has begun laying out his options after Chrystia Freeland’s bombshell resignation earlier this week heightened calls for him to step down.  One of the options he’s been presented is proroguing Parliament to allow a Liberal leadership race to happen.  Still, Trudeau has a few weeks to decide on his next move before M-Ps return to the House of Commons on January 27th after their holiday break. 

A Special Weather Statement in effect for all of PEI now with 10 to 25cm of snow possible Friday night into Saturday.  We’ll also see winds gusting to 70kh.  

Environment Canada says an area of low pressure is expected to travel up the eastern seaboard  and track south of Nova Scotia on Saturday bringing snow to the Island Friday night into Saturday.  Snowfall warnings will likely be issued for some areas on Friday.

HANG IN THERE – WE’RE ALMOST THERE!

PEI WEATHER

TODAY:   Rain snow mix ending this afternoon with a chance of flurries or showers. NW winds gusting to 40 this afternoon. Steady near 2.

TONIGHT:  Chance of flurries or showers overnight. Low -4

TMR:  Cloudy. High -1

Special Weather Statement still in effect for tomorrow night into Saturday with significant snowfall expected for Queens and Kings counties.

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

A 101-year-old P.E.I. woman had the time of her life when her wish to see a live skating show came true. Ferne Edgecombe was nominated to go see Stars on Ice in St. John's through an organization that grants wishes to seniors. CBC's Laura Meader has her story.

The RCMP held a recruitment session with the Abegweit First Nation to gather interest within the Indigenous community. Inspector Beryl Lewis says the RCMP is doing its best to attract more recruits.

Maritime Electric is looking to spend about $425 million on new equipment to generate more power.

P.E.I. reallocated federal money that was intended to be spent on mental health programs, a new report suggests.

Karla Bernard sits down with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin in the third of our year-end interviews with leaders of P.E.I.'s political parties.

P.E.I. Premier Dennis King says Canada needs to "project stability" in the face of potentially devastating tariffs from the U.S. and not get distracted by the political upheaval in Ottawa.

The ferry service between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia will run for a few extra days beyond the usual end to the season. 

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for P.E.I.'s Kings and Queens counties lasting from Friday night into Saturday.

Charlottetown Police are increasing the frequency of Road Safety Check Points this Holiday Season.  Last Friday night, check points were conducted on Malpeque Road, St Peters Road and Water Street.  Approximately 500 vehicles went through the check points. Two vehicles were towed due to no registration and insurance and 3 Summary Offence tickets under the Highway Traffic Act were issued for driving without insurance and/or vehicle registration.  Police are reminding the public to plan ahead, designate a sober driver and never drive while impaired.

The Province says it has recruited 34 internationally educated nurses.  Health officials say the 34 nurses graduated through the P-E-I Transition to Registered Nursing in Canada program following a 14-week course.  Through the program, nurses receive a tailored education in Canadian nursing practices, regulations, and patient care standards.

A Special Weather Statement is in effect for Queens and Kings Counties with Environment Canada advising that significant snowfall is likely late this week.  The snow can be expected Friday night into Saturday.  Environment Canada says it is too early to give specific snowfall amounts as small changes in the track of the storm could dramatically alter the amounts but significant snowfall is possible for some or all of PEI, which could make travel difficult on Saturday.

It’s the FIRST EVER Christmas Pay for Play for Toys for Tots!

PEI WEATHER

TODAY:   Sunny.  High 2

TONIGHT:  Clouding over with rain starting overnight. Steady at 2

TOMORROW:  Rain mixed with snow ending in the afternoon with a chance of flurries or showers. Wind NW gusting to 40.  Steady near 1

Special Weather Statement for Queens and Kings for Friday night into Saturday.  Expecting a significant snowfall but the track 

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

P.E.I. has 37 new nurses thanks to a pair of programs that train international nurses on how to practise in Canada.

P.E.I. powerlifter John MacDonald has lots to celebrate in 2024, including his second straight world championship. In October, he won gold in his division at the Commonwealth and World Masters Championships in South Africa. He was also just named Masters Athlete of the Year by Sport P.E.I. Nancy Russell headed to his garage/gym to find out more.

Documents show that sometime between the summer of 2021 and 2022, Colton Wesley David Chaulk allegedly accepted a $9,000 deposit to repair a cottage in Savage Harbour. The work was never completed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mishandled the circumstances leading to Chrystia Freeland's resignation as finance minister Monday and should step down for the good of the country, say two Liberal MPs on P.E.I.

Inflation edged down slightly to 1.9 per cent in November as price growth continued to stabilize in Canada.  Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report released today shows inflation was down from two per cent in October.  Shelter costs increased at a slower annual pace of 4.6 per cent, while rent price inflation accelerated to 7.7 per cent.  Grocery prices continued to grow faster than overall prices, rising 2.6 per cent from a year ago.  PEI’s inflation rate in November stood at 1.8 percent.

It’s the final TURKEY TUESDAY OF THE YEAR on OCEAN 100!

PEI WEATHER

TODAY: Clouding over with a few showers. South gusting to 70 km/h then gusts to 50 km/h late in the day. High 8

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Windy. Low 2

TOMORROW: Sunny. High 4

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

Prince Edward Island had the fourth lowest child poverty rate in Canada in 2022, but the authors of the newly released child and family report card for the province say that is no reason to celebrate.

Gear tampering in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region off P.E.I. is more common than it used to be, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. When lobster fishing gear in particular gets cut adrift, there can be a high environmental cost.

Former Summerside City Councillor Barb Gallant has been sentenced to 90 days in jail.  In August, Gallant had pleaded guilty to a charge of theft over $5,000 in connection with money that was stolen from the Lest We Forget veterans group.  Gallant was serving as executive director of the group.  She was also ordered to pay almost $11-thousand in restitution to the Lest We Forget organization, and placed on three years probation.

Premier Dennis King says Canada’s efforts to push back on looming tariff threats by U-S president elect Donald Trump won’t be derailed by the resignation of one person.  King says while things seem chaotic in Ottawa in the aftermath of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from Parliament, there is a really good case to put forward with a lot of people working on it.  His comments come after a meeting of provincial and territorial premiers Monday in Toronto, where one of the top agenda items was Trump’s tariff threats. Ontario Premier Doug Ford says now is the time for the premiers to step up and make sure that they tell the world there is stability in Canada. 

Government House Leader Karina Gould tabled the Fall economic statement document — hours after Chrystia Freeland’s resignation showcasing a deficit for 2023-2024 at 61.9-billion-dollars.  That’s almost 22-billion-dollars more than forecast last spring.   The deficit is projected to fall to 48.3 billion-dollars for the current fiscal year.  Among the highlights of new measures included in the plan is a decision to reinstate a temporary change to the capital cost allowance.  That allows businesses to make larger tax deductions for capital costs up front. 

Former Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc has been sworn in as the finance minister following Chrysita Freeland’s surprise resignation from her post Monday morning.  Freeland also stepped down as deputy prime minister, saying she and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found themselves at odds for weeks about “the best path forward for Canada.”  The resignation has reignited calls for Trudeau to step down and call an election as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says Trudeau has lost control of the government and repeated calls for an election.  

Hal Perry sits down with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin in the first of our year-end interviews with leaders of P.E.I.'s political parties.

The free-falling Canadian dollar may send shivers through snowbirds heading south this winter, but it’s good news for some exporters on P.E.I. and others who benefit from a stronger U.S. dollar.