Researcher Gina Lonati is using new tools to measure the ecosystem and health of endangered North Atlantic right whales. She told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin that it might help improve the species' rate of survival.

People who work in the Island's oyster industry are urging the province to take immediate action to help the multimillion-dollar sector.

Health PEI says the healthcare system across PEI is currently facing significant overcapacity resulting in limited bed availability.

 It adds that with the onset of the cold and flu season, healthcare facilities are anticipating an increase in patient volumes — further challenging the province’s healthcare resources.

While our system is under strain, Health PEI is implementing a number of measures to manage patient volumes and improve patient flow.  Those measures include:

• Prioritizing long-term care beds for patients currently in the hospital
• Increasing the number of available critical care beds, including intensive and progressive care beds
• Expanding bed capacity beyond traditional spaces
• Streamlining discharge policies, including assessments for homecare services
• Utilizing homecare services/programs to maintain client care at home

The Provincial Government is informing students, parents, guardians, teachers, and school administration that some of their personal information may have been part of PowerSchool’s recent North American cybersecurity incident.  PowerSchool is a third-party platform used by many education systems, including PEI, and as a result of unauthorized access to PowerSchool, personal data of past and present Island school members may have been compromised. Personal information that may have been accessed include Name; Date of birth; Address; Phone numbers; and/or other personal information such as food allergies.  PowerSchool has advised Government that it has contained the incident, and implemented enhanced internal controls to secure the system.  Efforts are being made to identify those impacted and all those identified will receive further information in the coming weeks.

Friday is the day we’ll get December’s jobs figures from Statistics Canada.  In November, the national unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent, while the economy added 51-thousand jobs..   PEI’s economy had added 2,700 jobs in November and the provincial unemployment rate was down to 8.0 percent.

P.E.I.’s health-care system is 'facing significant overcapacity,' and has limited beds available, Health P.E.I. said in a news release Thursday afternoon. 

Former Malpeque MP Wayne Easter looks back on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time in office and looks forward to what the next leader might need to make the party — and Canada — successful.

The French Daycare Association of P.E.I. is offering a new opportunity for high school students to start on the path to becoming early childhood educators.

Statistics Canada estimates that 179,301 people now live on the Island, an increase of nearly 19,000 people compared to 2021.

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The Black Cultural Society of PEI has announced the lineup of events for BlackHistory Month 2025, celebrating the theme Redefining Success: Empowering Black Artists, Students, and Entrepreneurs. This year marks a significant milestone—10 years of celebrating Black History Month in PEI.  From January 25 to February 28, events being held as part of Black History Month 2025 include the Opening Celebration Gala on January 25th at the Delta Prince Edward; and Pan-African Flag Raising Ceremonies from February 3rd through 5th in Charlottetown, Stratford, Cornwall, Kensington, Summerside, Three Rivers, Borden-Carleton, and at UPEI.  There will also be a Community Luncheon Series and Black Business/Artist Jam Sessions.

The Island Waste Management Corporation has applied to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission for permission to increase rates.  The application, filed within the past week, indicates year-round residential rates would increase from $236 to $261 per year.  Seasonal residents would see their rates increase from $116 to $130 annually.  Commercial rates would remain the same at $122 per tonne.  If the application is approved, the new rates would be reflected on residents’  2025 property tax bills this spring.

Several cabinet ministers are saying we shouldn’t overreact to U-S president-elect Donald Trump’s comments about annexing Canada.  Foreign Affairs minister Melanie Joly says Canada should not take Trump’s “bait” but should not back down in efforts to counter the threats he is making.  On her way to a Liberal caucus meeting on Parliament Hill Joly said the government needs to listen to Trump and “take him very seriously.”  Trump amped up comments about making Canada the 51st state on Tuesday and said he will follow through with his plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs when sworn into office.

After he pre-emptively stepped out of the leadership race, Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc is being pressured by his fellow M-Ps to get back in.

At least a dozen party members are encouraging LeBlanc to reconsider his earlier decision.

LeBlanc has been at the front of recent tariff talks with Canada’s U-S counterparts.  Several cabinet ministers are mulling whether they want to run to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal party leader.  Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says she’s receiving a lot of support from across the country but has to also factor in her family.  Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, a Charlottetown native, is considering a run and says it’s essential the next party leader is fluent in both official languages.  

An P.E.I. couple has been handed a $345,000 cleanup bill from the provincial government, more than a year after a full tank of home heating oil leaked into their clay basement and down into the soil on their property.

A bill that would provide a framework, rights and timelines for tenants whose apartments are being converted into condos is being reviewed by a provincial standing committee.

In hopes of increasing their visibility, ambulances and fire trucks on the Island can now use flashing blue lights in emergencies.

Construction work at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown has some businesses on the Victoria Row portion of Richmond Street concerned about the affect it will have on sales.

Both the staff who work in Island jails and offenders are facing more challenges that are the direct result of homelessness, mental health and addictions.

Starting today, Canadians with short-term travel plans to England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland will need an electronic travel authorization — or an ETA.

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Kensington Police Chief Lewie Sutherland has retired after 20 years with the Town’s police department.   A celebration was held to thank Chief Sutherland for his years of service. 

The Kensington Police Service calls Sutherland a true leader, mentor, and friend, and says his unwavering commitment, compassion, and courage have left a mark on the community.

Deputy Chief Landon Yuill has been sworn in as the new Chief.

As of Tuesday, a portion of Richmond Street in Charlottetown is closed to traffic for the next several months.  Richmond Street is closed from Queen Street to Great George Street due to renovations of the former library and adjacent area of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.  Businesses on Victoria Row will remain open with normal pedestrian access from the street.

A ferry slated to make sailings this year between Wood Islands and Caribou continues to make its way across the Atlantic Ocean as it heads to our region.  The M-V Northumberland, formerly the MV Fanafjord, was acquired by Transport Canada on December 12th, and began its journey from Norway to Canada on December 23rd.  Ottawa paid about 40-million-dollars for the vessel.  The ferry is travelling by Antigua, Barbuda and Bermuda and is expected to arrive in St. John’s, Newfoundland this weekend.

A drug bust in Charlottetown.  The Charlottetown Police Street Crime Unit conducted a targeted traffic stop on Norwood Road on Monday afternoon and a search saw police seize crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, Percocet pills, more than $5400 in cash, bear spray and a cell phone.  A 36 year old man has been charged with Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, and Possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes.  Charges are also pending against a 47 year old Charlottetown man who police say was found in possession of fentanyl and a taser.  

Next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet in person with Premier Dennis King and the country’s other premiers in Ottawa to address Canada’s relationship with the U-S.

The Wednesday meeting is set to take place days before Donald Trump’s inauguration day — when he says he will impose 25 per cent import tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Earlier Tuesday, B-C Premier David Eby said he and other premiers plan to visit Washington and meet with top officials, to convince Trump to back away from his tariff plan.  

Prime Minister Trudeau shared strong thoughts for the first time Tuesday on Donald Trump’s ongoing remarks about making Canada the 51st state.

The P-M responded with “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States” in a social media post.

He also said workers and communities in both countries “benefit from being each other’s biggest trading and security partners.”

Trudeau’s post came after Trump discussed the 51st state option in his first news conference since the certification of his election win. Trump threatened to use what he called “economic force” to compel Canada to join with the U-S.

Prince Edward Islanders may see an increase in garbage collection fees this year as the Island Waste Management Corporation is asking for permission to increase its rates.

People who are passionate about darts say the face of the sport is changing on P.E.I. That was evident at a recent provincial qualifier for a national championship where more women and young players were aiming for the bull's eye.

PEI WEATHER

TODAY:  Flurries. Wind West gusting 50. High -1°

TONIGHT:  Snow.  2cms.  Winds gusting West 40. Steady near -1°

TOMORROW:  Flurries. Steady near -1°

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Edible cushioning for those fragile shipments….

You know those small pieces of Styrofoam that are used to protect the contents of a package from shifting or breaking during transport? Right: They’re sometimes called ‘popcorn’. Well, a Japanese company is now using literal popcorn for the job. Popcorn manufacturer and delicacy wholesaler Azechi Foods’ manager Shihoko Wada, had been struggling to promote popcorn on its online store where people mainly bought delicacies. 

Then she was inspired by a laptop repair technician at a management seminar. He used cylindrical puffed corn snacks as a cushioning material. That sparked the revelation to Wada that not only could the popcorn be used as an actual snack after use, but it was also a great opportunity to attract attention to the company.

And that’s exactly what happened. Before long photos of the bags started going viral on Japanese social media, and the company soon started receiving orders from all sorts of businesses, leading to even more exposure via national TV outlets. Although the bags of popcorn packing material are more expensive than conventional cushioning materials, they can be eaten afterward, which helps eliminate waste, unlike other cushioning or filler materials, most of which end up in the trash. – from Oddity Central

The prime minister's decision to resign has set the stage for a spring election.

Doctors with the internal medicine clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown say they will no longer accept non-urgent referrals starting Jan. 21 due to 'unsafe' wait times.

Islanders who want their Christmas tree picked up should now have it at the curb.

Is Canada a lame duck for U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's administration? Can the federal Liberals save face with a new leader? Paul MacNeill and Sally Pitt discuss these questions and more with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

More keywords for a chance to win a trip to see Billy Joel today!

PEI WEATHER

TODAY:  Flurries and freezing drizzle ending near noon. Still a lingering chance of showers or freezing drizzle through the day. High 0°

TONIGHT:  Chance of flurries. Windy. Low -10°

TOMORROW:  Flurries. Windy. High -1°

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After waiting in the bitter cold for hours, a woman living in Margate says there is an urgent need to improve the waiting conditions at Kensington's walk-in clinic.

Island farmers have spent more than $9 million in federal funding over the last three years as part of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, or OFCAF.  The pilot project is now over, and the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture has applied for another three years of money. Dairy farmer Kyle Jewell says the cash helps producers to "do the right thing" without the financial risk. CBC's Nancy Russell visited Jewell Dale Farms in Meadowbank to find out more.

Route 225 in Hampshire had to be closed early Monday afternoon as emergency crews responded to a house fire.  It was about 12:30pm when the RCMP announced that Route 225 would be closed between Route 9 and Route 247. It was reopened at about 2:30pm.

So far no sitting M-P has formally declared their intention to run as the new Liberal leader after Justin Trudeau announced this morning he will step aside as prime minister and party leader as soon as a new leader is chosen.

Speculation is already buzzing in Ottawa about who may vie for the job.

Among them are Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, whom the New York Times profiled last month as Trudeau’s potential successor.

Also, former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, whose shock resignation shortly before the Christmas break served as the catalyst for renewed calls for Trudeau to step down.  

Premier Dennis King issued a statement in response to Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Prime Minister.  King says that while he and Trudeau haven’t always agreed, he always appreciated Trudeau’s desire to try to unite the country and to do his very best to make life better for Canadians.  Premier King says Prime Minister Trudeau’s deep love for Canada was evident, and he valued his openness to hearing the perspectives of Canada’s smallest province.

After 20 years as chief of the police force in the central P.E.I. town, Lewis Sutherland said he's sad but excited to step aside.

Dennis King says he hopes to have as good a relationship with the next prime minister of Canada as he had with Justin Trudeau. Whether that will be Trudeau's successor or federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre remains to be seen.

In announcing his intention to step away now, the prime minister creates two challenges — one for himself and one for his successor.

The Charlottetown Privateers football club says it's time for officials to turn their attention to the lack of football facilities in the capital. It's asking the city to build two artificial turf fields next to Simmons Sports Centre. But how those look and where they'll go is still up for debate.

Crime Stoppers recently named Cpl. Jamie Parsons as RCMP Officer of the Year for 2024. He was also presented with a king's coronation medal last month. He tells CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin what the awards mean to him.

Three Liberal MPs on Prince Edward Island say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the right decision to step down as party leader Monday, but it comes with mixed feelings.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's request to prorogue Parliament was granted Monday by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, buying time for the Liberal Party to regroup and find his replacement. Here's what prorogation means for the government and for you.

A traffic stop last Friday by PEI RCMP has resulted in drugs being seized and the arrests of three people on drug charges.  It was about 3:30 p.m. on Friday when RCMP conducted the targeted traffic stop in Brackley and arrested a 39-year-old Monticello man and a 26-year-old Stratford woman for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine, and a 37-year-old Cornwall man for possession of cocaine and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.  A search of the vehicle saw police find about 30 grams of cocaine and methamphetamine combined. 

Justin Trudeau says he will resign as prime minister and the leader of the Liberal party following a leadership contest.He also says Gov. Gen. Mary Simon has agreed with his request to prorogue Parliament until March 24.

Justin Trudeau, who is set to speak at 10:45 a.m. ET, will announce he is stepping aside as Liberal leader, sources say.