Islanders had to wait until winter for the P.E.I. government’s fall fiscal update, which was released Friday and forecasts a large increase to the provincial deficit. 

The federal Liberal leadership race has another candidate — former finance minister Chrystia  Freeland.

Freeland made it official with a simple announcement on social media and a follow-up op-ed in the Toronto Star.

In the piece, she called for a full-throated response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats, pitching a dollar-for-dollar clapback that could generate up to 150 billion dollars in revenue.

She says that cash could then be used to help people and businesses hurt by the U-S tariffs.

P-E-I’s latest fiscal update for its 2024-25 budget  is forecasting a deficit of 129.5 million dollars, an increase of 44.5 million from the figure released in February last year.The government’s expenditures are expected to increase by 38 million dollars, reflecting an increase in social programs and growth in health care costs.Population saw an increase based on immigration, although the report says natural growth saw a decline.Overall, it says the forecast for real G-D-P for 2024 has been revised down from 4.1 per cent at budget to 3.8 per cent due largely to weaker than expected consumer sentiment and slower employment growth

Spotting a seal on the shores of P.E.I. might come as a surprise for some, but it's no cause for concern, says the Marine Animal Response Society. 

E-bike rentals will soon be available in communities across Kings County, thanks to a new partnership between Active Communities Development Inc. and the region's municipalities.

The Conservative Party of Canada has disqualified one of the candidates seeking the party’s nomination in Charlottetown.  The Conservative Party confirmed on Friday that after recently conducting a thorough review of Doug Currie’s nomination application, it will not be allowing Currie to seek the nomination.  The Party the review of Currie’s nomination application identified several serious misrepresentations and violations of the Party’s nomination rules.  Currie has indicated he will be appealing the Party’s decision to disqualify him from running for the nomination.  Also seeking the Conservative nomination in Charlottetown are former provincial Education Minister Natalie Jameson and lawyer Catherine Parkman.

A new baseball park has been announced for West Prince.  Don McDougall and Mill River Resort are donating the land for the baseball field, which will be located at the Mill River Resort, across from the West Prince Curling Club.    Funding for the new park includes $667-thousand from the Province, $430-thousand from the federal government through ACOA, and $250,000 each from 2023 Canada Games Legacy Fund and Jays Care Foundation.  Baseball PEI will be raising $360-thousand through donations and sponsorships.   It will be named Don McDougall Park and include a fenced turf baseball field, dugouts, bullpens, plus a 600-metre walking track, and two outdoor green gym spaces.  Baseball PEI is aiming to open the field for play this August.

Health PEI is declaring an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on Gable household at Summerset Manor in Summerside.  Residents of Gable household will be limited to one visitor at a time, and all visitors will be asked to follow the current infection control measures.

At the same time, the outbreak of influenza on Red Oak Heights and Blue Jay Way households at Prince Edward Home has been declared over.  Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside the facility and to not visit if they are not feeling well.

Students and politicians mingled at a UPEI student union-led event Thursday evening. Shreesh Agrawal, the vice president external at UPEI's Student Union, spoke with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about how the event went.

Ottawa is slashing the number of people P.E.I. can nominate for permanent residency in 2025 by half — a move that’s left foreign workers and business on the Island uncertain about the future.

The Conservative Party of Canada says it won't allow Doug Currie to run for the party's nomination in Charlottetown, after what it calls "serious misrepresentations and violations" of its rules.

Kevin Symes said his wife likes to take their puppy out for walks, like many other Islanders do. But in the wintertime, he said it becomes "too hazardous" for her to do that. 

Health P.E.I. says some progress has been made in easing the strain on the Island’s hospitals and emergency rooms, but it’s preparing for an expected spike in flu cases in the coming weeks. 

P.E.I. Nurses' Union welcomes the recent change to the Canada Health Act, which will allow nurse practitioners to contribute more to the healthcare system on the Island.

Work is being done to prevent erosion and improve shoreline protection along the Souris causeway.

The housing crisis, changing political climates and a high cost of living were top of mind on Thursday evening at a student union-led event meant to bring students and government officials together.

After Thursday’s unscheduled adjustments in gasoline, diesel and furnace oil prices, the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission announced overnight there would be no changes in prices today with its regularly scheduled Friday review.  Thursday’s unscheduled adjustments saw the price of regular and premium gasoline increase by 4.5 cents per litre; the price of furnace oil rise by 7.0 cents per litre; and the price of diesel go up by 9.0 cents per litre. 

P-E-I’s Federation of Agriculture says the Island is quickly losing valuable agricultural land to residential development.

The federation says the Island lost more than 12 per cent of its farmland between 2016 and 2021.

At this rate, the province could lose half of its farmland by 2050 if the government doesn’t act.

The federation is calling on the government to impose a moratorium on residential development in areas without a land-use plan.

The race for liberal leadership now has former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney in the running.

Carney officially kicked off his bid to replace Justin Trudeau in Edmonton.

The former central banker said that even though he’s never run for public office before, he’s ready to take on the Conservatives.

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland and Liberal House leader Karina Gould are both expected to launch their own leadership campaigns soon.

The Team PEI trade mission to the northeastern United States has concluded.  The 22-member delegation, which visited the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, met with Governors Janet Mills, Kelly Ayotte, and Maura Healey, as well as industry leaders, business associations, and key stakeholders.  Premier Dennis King says the discussions were extremely productive and he’s confident the connections made will have a lasting positive impact.  Officials say that during the mission, Premier King and Team PEI consistently heard a clear message from industry representatives and elected officials that there is no support for Trump’s tariff tax on Canadian products. 

Hillegonda Visser has been doing needle work for entire life, including different types like painting by thread. CBC's Jane Robertson met up with her at Andrews of Stratford to learn what has kept her going and how sharing the work helps her inspire others.

Premier Dennis King is back on Prince Edward Island after visits to the northeastern United States and Ottawa earlier this week. 

A universal before and after school care program could be up and running on P.E.I. by 2030,  but large gaps in the current system would have to be filled first, according to a consultant’s report released by the provincial government. 

Queen Elizabeth Hospital's pediatric clinic is warning of extended wait times in a letter sent by doctors to patients and families at the clinic.

Premier Dennis King is back on P.E.I. after a trade mission to the U.S., plus a meeting with his provincial counterparts and Trudeau in Ottawa. He tells CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about how the province plans to navigate what he calls an uncertain time.

Provincial officials provided more details to MLAs on Thursday about ongoing efforts to tackle the devastating oyster parasite MSX.

Prince Edward Island is rapidly losing valuable agricultural land to residential development and the provincial government is failing to act, warns the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture.

Darcy’s A.I. Creation of the day:

PEI WEATHER

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

Music PEI has unveiled the lineup for the 2025 Music PEI Week, which is set for March 4 to 8th.  Tickets are on sale now at Music PEI’s website and Locarius, PEI’s locally owned ticketing platform. Some highlights include a showcase called Down East Stinger at The King’s Playhouse in Georgetown on Wednesday, March 5th presented by Ocean 100 and Hot 105.5;  the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year Concert at the Scott MacAulay Performing Arts Centre in Summerside on Thursday, March 6th; and the 24th Annual Music PEI Awards Gala on Saturday, March 8th.

The Legislative Committee on Health and Social Development heard concerns Wednesday from firefighters and paramedics regarding increased workloads.  One issue raised in Wednesday’s committee meeting was that delayed ambulance response times, in rural PEI especially, are adding to the burden placed on our firefighters.  That’s impacting not only the mental health of firefighters, but also the ability to recruit firefighters.  The President of the CUPE Local that represents paramedics on PEI also voiced concerns to the Committee of MLAs as they face increased calls with a lack of resources and the lengthy response times that result.

Following Wednesday’s meeting in Ottawa with Prime Minister Trudeau and the other Premiers, Premier Dennis King said he was able to discuss with them the consistent message Team PEI has been hearing this week on its trade mission to the Northeastern United States.  King says that in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, PEI’s industry representatives and elected officials have consistently heard this week that there is no support for President-Elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariff on Canadian products.  King says Americans, much like Canadians, do not want to have to pay more for groceries, utilities and services.

P.E.I.'s Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission announced an increase in the prices of gas, heating oil, and diesel overnight, one day ahead of the regular weekly price review.

Premier Dennis King and Canada’s other premiers left a meeting with the prime minister about Canada-U-S relations with a message of unity and a pledge to stand together.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the meeting was highly productive, as almost all first ministers came together with a shared sense of purpose and understanding.

Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith refuses to support the retaliation plan to Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs.

Smith says she can’t be a part of the plan if it includes tariffs on Canadian energy, as that is the lifeblood of Alberta.

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission has approved unscheduled increases in the prices of gasoline, furnace oil and diesel on PEI.  As of midnight, the price of regular and premium gasoline increased by 4.5 cents per litre.  The price of furnace oil increased by 7.0 cents per litre.  The price of diesel went up by 9.0 cents per litre.  Including taxes, pump prices for regular self-serve gasoline now range from 175.0 to 176.2 cents per litre.  Diesel now costs you between 203.7 and 204.8 cents per litre.  The maximum price for furnace oil is 142.6 cents per litre.

Over 100 people showed up to City Hall on Wednesday in support of the tackle and flag football group, which has been advocating for two multi-use turf fields to be built near Simmons Sports Centre.

Parks Canada and First Nations in the province have developed a new 10-year plan for protecting species at risk in the P.E.I. National Park and historic sites across the Island. First Nations advisors also identified culturally significant species to be included in the plan. CBC's Nancy Russell has more details.

After Team P.E.I.’s trade mission to the northeastern United States earlier this week, Dennis King was in Ottawa to meet with Canada's premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday.

Crime Stoppers is a national organization that allows people to report a crime anonymously. Wade MacKinnon, the president of Crime Stoppers P.E.I., spoke to CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about the role the program has played on the Island since it started here in 1989.

Charlottetown's first official Scrabble club is gearing up for its one-year anniversary. "Scrabble" may be a 14-point word — but to this group of wordsmiths, playing their favourite game is worth much more.

Firefighters and paramedics on P.E.I. are sounding the alarm over increased workloads and delays for emergency medical services that are impacting their mental health and complicating recruitment and retention.

A Prince Edward Island man whose actions led police to issue a provincewide Amber Alert in 2023 has pleaded guilty to assaulting the mother of his children with a weapon, among other charges.

Darcy’s A.I. Creation of the day:

Not overly great, I asked for someone like Superman fighting the snow.  I mean…ok.

PEI WEATHER

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

The prime minister, his cabinet and all the premiers, including Premier Dennis King, will sit down together in Ottawa Wednesday to talk about Donald Trump’s threat to slap tariffs on all Canadian goods on his first day in office next week.  They will also discuss the possibility of clapping back with retaliatory tariffs.  Some are even open to the idea of blocking energy exports to the U-S.  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said a move like that might cause a national unity crisis. 

Due to icy road conditions on Wednesday morning, all classes in the Westisle, Three Oaks, Kensington, Kinkora, Bluefield, and Charlottetown families of schools are on a one-hour delay.  All other schools will proceed on their normal schedule.  There will be no further announcement.

The French Language School Board says École Pierre Chiasson, École Évangéline, École sur Mer, École Saint Augustin and École François Buote are on a 1 hour delay Wednesday morning with no further announcement.

Charlottetown Police Services has officially added new constables to the force and recognized several other officers through promotions and commendations.   A ceremony was held at City Hall Tuesday as Charlottetown Police welcomed six new constables to the force and celebrated the promotions of four officers whose dedication and leadership have earned them new roles within the department.  Meanwhile, three members of Charlottetown Police Services were honoured with the prestigious Chief’s Commendation Award for their exceptional contributions.

Intersection upgrades at Grafton Street and Riverside Drive in Charlottetown are scheduled to take place Wednesday.  Work is to get underway  at 10 a.m. and wrap up at 3 p.m.

The work is being done to complete the intersection upgrades that were started in the fall by the provincial government and will aim to improve the flow of traffic moving forward.

Traffic control crews will be on site, and there will be partial lane closures.

The success of the 2023 PEI Canada Games generated a $5.5 million surplus to fund amateur sports across the province.

2023 Canada Games officials are thanking the Community Foundation of PEI for its support in organizing the event, receiving applications, working with applicants after the adjudication process, and disbursing the funds. 

Funds have been distributed to support nearly 60 projects across PEI.

Islanders woke up Wednesday morning to snow-covered roads with icy patches, prompting delays for some P.E.I. schools

Darcy’s A.I. Creation of the day:

High Fives for the bus drivers!

ONE HOUR DELAY FOR THE WESTISLE, THREE OAKS, KENSINGTON, KINKORA, BLUEFIELD AND CH’TOWN FAMILIES OF SCHOOLS ARE ON A 1 HOUR DELAY THIS MORNING.

ALL OTHER SCHOOLS WILL PROCEED ON THEIR NORMAL SCHEDULE AND THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT.

The French Language School Board says École Pierre Chiasson, École Évangéline, École sur Mer, École Saint Augustin and École François Buote are on a 1 hour delay this morning with no further announcement.

PEI WEATHER

TODAY: Periods of snow. 2-4cms. Winds North gusting 50 this afternoon. HIgh -1

TONIGHT: Light snow ending late this evening with a lingering chance of flurries. Wind NW gusting 40. Low -7

TOMORROW: Sun and cloud. High -3

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

Charlottetown Police Services added some new constables to its police force during a swearing-in ceremony Tuesday.