Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister and Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay is on a trade mission to the Indo-Pacific markets of Malaysia and the Philippines.  While in Manila, MacAulay took part in the official opening of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office.  Officials say the new Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office will be the hub for a mobile team that’s aimed at building strategic partnerships that will grow export opportunities and increase demand for Canadian products. 

A 21 year old Charlottetown man has been charged with uttering threats, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and pointing a firearm.  The charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours of last Saturday.  A Charlottetown Police officer was flagged down in the downtown area by a group of men who said they were in an altercation with some others, including a man who pulled out a black hand gun and threatened them.  They told the officer that the suspects were inside a vehicle in the Fitzroy Parkade and police were able to stop the vehicle as it was exiting the parkade.  Four men inside the vehicle were detained and Police located a black pellet hand gun inside the vehicle.  The one man was charged and he’s been released with conditions and will soon appear in Provincial Court.

There are ongoing talks to lower the prices of the Confederation Bridge and ferry service on P.E.I. But the province's transportation minister says any drops aren't likely soon.

There was a fire in a warehouse in the New Glasgow area on Tuesday afternoon.  The fire was in a warehouse on Route 224, and smoke billowing out from the structure could be seen from several kilometres away.  No injuries are reported.  Firefighters from the New Glasgow, North Rustico, New London and North River Fire departments all responded.

Some coffee shops on Prince Edward Island are doing away with plastic lids in a push to be more environmentally friendly — and now one of Canada's biggest coffee players is joining them.

The land purchase follows some moves by the hospital to secure housing — including a recent investment in a duplex and renting multiple apartments — that is used by travelling health-care professionals.

Some coffee shops on P.E.I. are getting rid of plastic in a push to be more environmentally friendly — and now one of Canada's biggest coffee chains is joining them.

A group of two dozen young artists in Charlottetown celebrated the Year of the Dragon by making one of their own. Find put why they did it, and what the Lunar New Year means to them.

The provincial government has announced 2.7-million dollars to
increase social program rates in the province.
Social Development and Seniors Minister Barb Ramsay says residents getting Social Assistance or Assured Income benefits will
see a five per cent increase to their basic unit rate.
That’s the monthly allowance to meet the individual’s basic needs including food, clothing, and household supplies.
The increases to social program rates will come into effect on March 1st.

The P.E.I. government is spending $27 million to increase social assistance rates next month, according to a news release on Tuesday.

Prince Edward Island's inflation rate in January 2024 was 1.6 per cent, down a full percentage point from December 2023, according to figures released by Statistics Canada on Tuesday. 

A new emerging sport tourism industry event is heading to Charlottetown.  Spo Ho Xperience will take place this coming October 28th and 29th at the PEI Brewing Company and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. It’s the second year for the event, which draws together sport event rights holders, tourism professionals, event management firms and suppliers/vendors from the sport hosting industry.  The event is projected to generate $480,000 in economic impact for the City of Charlottetown.

Summerside native Logan McLellan has announced that he’ll be running for the Conservative nomination in Egmont.  McLellan, an entrepreneur, was the conservative candidate in Egmont in the 2019 federal election.  He finished second to Liberal Bobby Morrissey.

Statistics Canada says the country’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.9 percent last month.  The sharp decline comes after inflation ticked up to 3.4 per cent in December.  The consumer price index report says the largest contributor to the decline was lower gasoline prices on a year-over-year basis.  Price growth for groceries also decelerated significantly, rising 3.4 per cent annually in January compared with 4.7 per cent in December.  PEI’s annual inflation rate stood at 1.6 percent in January, down from 2.6 percent in December.

P.E.I.'s Transportation and Infrastructure minister said he's been assured that federal funding for road improvements will continue on the Island following controversial comments from Canada's Environment Minister.

On Tuesday, Statistics Canada is set to release its January consumer price index report.  Canada’s inflation rate has zipped up and down over the past several months, but has still trended downward as global prices pressures fade and the economy slows.  Economists expect that inflation slowed last month.  PEI’s inflation rate in December was 2.6 percent

Sports organizations on P.E.I. are being encouraged to reach out to Indigenous youth across the Island and offer a no-commitment chance to try different types of athletic activity. A recent cultural workshop at Abegweit First Nation was a starting point.

A beloved ice maker in Tignish was celebrated over the weekend. Billy Keough has done the job for more than two decades and he just turned 80.

In an Islander Day matinee, the Charlottetown Islanders host the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at 2:00pm.

The Summerside Western Capitals are in action Monday afternoon, hosting the West Kent Steamers at 2:00pm at Credit Union Place.  

In Major U18 Hockey, the Charlottetown Knights host the Saint John Vitos at Maclauchlan Arena at 3:30pm, while the Kensington Wild are on the road in Moncton

The Men’s and Women’s Holland College Volleyball Hurricanes both won on Sunday and prepare now for the playoffs.  The Women will face St Thomas in the quarterfinals while the Men face St Thomas in the semi-finals.  

SCOREBOARD

Sunday’s Scoreboard

NHL

N.Y. Rangers 6 N.Y. Islanders 5 (OT)

Colorado 4 Arizona 3

Los Angeles 2 Pittsburgh 1

—

AHL

Bridgeport 2 Laval 1 (OT)

Utica 7 Rochester 3

Cleveland 6 Chicago 3

Charlotte 5 Springfield 3

Providence 3 Hartford 0

Coachella Valley 6 Henderson 1

Colorado 5 Bakersfield 2

—

PWHL

Montreal 2 Minnesota 1

—

NBA

East All Stars 211 West All Stars 186

—

NLL

Calgary 17 Halifax 11

* * * * * * * * * *

Monday’s Schedule

(All times Eastern)

NHL

Anaheim at Buffalo, 12:30 p.m.

Dallas at Boston, 1 p.m.

Toronto at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Vancouver at Minnesota, 2 p.m.

Detroit at Seattle, 3:30 p.m.

Edmonton at Arizona, 4 p.m.

Vegas at San Jose, 4 p.m.

Winnipeg at Calgary, 4 p.m.

Chicago at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Ottawa at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.

—

AHL

Hershey at Belleville, 2 p.m.

Rochester at Toronto, 2 p.m.

Milwaukee at Manitoba, 3 p.m.

Calgary at Abbotsford, 5 p.m.

Rockford at Iowa, 6 p.m.

—

PWHL

Ottawa at Boston, 4:30 p.m.

The Holland College Foundation’s $2.5 million Thrive campaign has received a $100,000 donation from Kent and Inger Scales. The campaign is a special fundraising effort to establish a centre for student wellness, resilience, and success at Holland College.

Kent Scales is chair of the Holland College Foundation Board of Directors. The centre will provide services that include mental health supports, a health clinic, academic support services, and career and academic counselling. 

The RCMP in PEI says its Provincial Priority Unit has been buddy so far in 2024 asd it focuses on ensuring safety on Island roads.  Since January 1st, the RCMP PEI Provincial Priority unit has issued 405 tickets and 156 warnings across the province, to promote road safety.  PEI RCMP formed the unit in 2020 to address impaired driving and road safety in the province.  It does so by using proactive, educational, and enforcement initiatives –  and partners with local MADD Canada Chapters, and takes part in anti-impaired driving speaking events with schools and organizations.

Eva O'Hanley's experience with the shingles virus began last year, but she's still experiencing lingering symptoms to this day. Meanwhile, a P.E.I. doctor wants the province to further lower the age of eligibility for Islanders to get a free vaccine.

Erin Gillespie always wanted to start up a homestead someday. When opportunity knocked, the idea of moving her life and her business to the country seemed impossible at first.

New data from Statistics Canada says that almost half of francophone students in Prince Edward Island receive their education in English-language schools.

The UPEI men’s hockey season came to an end Saturday night as the visiting Saint Mary’s Huskies won 2-1 in overtime before a packed crowd at the MacLauchlan Arena. The Huskies took the quarterfinal series, 2-0 over the young Panthers.  The Huskies scored 30 seconds into OT. 

The Charlottetown Islanders doubled the Armada, 4-2 in the QMJHL.  
The Charlottetown Islanders are back in action against the Acadie Bathurst Titan on Islander Day tomorrow afternoon in Charlottetown

The league leading Summerside Western capitals stopped Amherst, 5-2 in the MHL.
The Summerside Western Capitals will take on the West Kent Steamers in Summerside tomorrow afternoon

The Charlottetown Knights got by the Northern Moose, 3-1 in Major Under 18.

With Saturday’s AUS Basketball action, the UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers clinched a playoff spot and are heading to Halifax for the AUS Championships. 

The Holland College Men’s Basketball Hurricanes beat UKC 92-78, while the Women’s Hurricanes dumped UKC 92-81.   

PEI’s Jane DiCarlo lost 8-3 to Manitoba to fall to 0-and-2, and faces BC at the Scotties National Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary.

Saturday’s Scoreboard

NHL

Toronto 9 Anaheim 2

Edmonton 4 Dallas 3 (OT)

Winnipeg 4 Vancouver 2

Washington 4 Montreal 3

Chicago 3 Ottawa 2

Detroit 5 Calgary 0

Los Angeles 5 Boston 4 (OT)

Buffalo 3 Minnesota 2 (OT)

Florida 9 Tampa Bay 2

Nashville 5 St. Louis 2

New Jersey 6 Philadelphia 3

Carolina 3 Vegas 1

Columbus 4 San Jose 3

PWHL

Minnesota 2 Ottawa 1

New York 2 Boston 1

AHL

Calgary 2 Abbotsford 1

Milwaukee 4 Manitoba 0

Belleville 3 Utica 2

Hershey 3 Toronto 2 (OT)

WB/Scranton 6 Laval 3

Tucson 3 Ontario 2

San Jose 7 Bakersfield 3

Springfield 2 Charlotte 1 (OT)

Hartford 2 Bridgeport 1 (OT)

Syracuse 2 Lehigh Valley 1

Grand Rapids 3 Rockford 2

Texas 3 Iowa 2

Chicago 4 Cleveland 3 (SO)

Colorado 5 Coachella Valley 2

Henderson 2 San Diego 1

NLL

Albany 13 Colorado 11

Sunday’s Schedule

(All times Eastern)

NHL

N.Y. Rangers vs. N.Y. Islanders, at MetLife Stadium, 3 p.m.

Arizona at Colorado, 6 p.m.

Los Angeles at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

AHL

Laval at Bridgeport, 3 p.m.

Utica at Rochester, 3:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Chicago, 4 p.m.

Springfield at Charlotte, 4 p.m.

Hartford at Providence, 4:05 p.m.

Colorado at Bakersfield, 8 p.m.

Henderson at Coachella Valley, 8 p.m.

PWHL

Minnesota at Montreal, 1 p.m.

NBA

East All Stars vs. West All Stars, 8 p.m., Indianapolis

NLL

Halifax at Calgary, 7 p.m.

US  authorities say the second critically endangered North Atlantic right whale found dead in the last month showed injuries consistent with a collision with a ship. 

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it was notified of the dead right whale floating off Savannah, Georgia, on February 13th. 

The announcement came just days after the agency released details about a dead right whale off Massachusetts that showed signs of entanglement in fishing gear, which is the other major threat the animals face.

Right whales in the North Atlantic number less than 360.

A combined investment of more than $21.4 million from the federal and Provincial governments will go towards road improvements on the island.  Funding for four projects was announced by MPs Lawrence MacAulay and Heath MacDonald, provincial Minister Ernie Hudson, and Abegweit First Nation Chief Junior Gould.  The projects in Kings County, Queens County and Prince County include upgrades to approximately 149 kilometres of roads. The Abegweit First Nation project on Route 2 will mean a reduced speed limit, making it safer for  pedestrians and cyclists within the community.

Two Charlottetown women were arrested by the Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit Officers following a 4 weeklong investigation on Thursday afternoon on Euston Street. Police say the pair were seen conducting a drug transaction and a short time later the Street Crime Unit executed a search warrant at the place of residence of one of the females on Euston Street. A total of 3056 methamphetamine tablets and $4,300 cash were seized by police. The two, both from Charlottetown, have been charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking and have been released from custody on conditions and will appear in court on a later date.

The P.E.I. government needs to do a much better job of targeting immigration to fill critical worker shortages, the province’s two opposition parties say.

Somewhere on Prince Edward Island right now, chances are good that a knitter or crocheter is putting the finishing touches on a family heirloom that was otherwise doomed to be thrown away. The province has about 20 "finishers" connected with a U.S.-based initiative called The Loose Ends Project. 

Monday, Feb. 19 is Islander Day, a provincial holiday on Prince Edward Island. All government offices are closed, as are most stores and businesses.

The annual Beautiful You free prom dress pop-up boutique takes some of the financial stress out of saying yes to the dress for P.E.I. students and their families.

Charlottetown is expected to break records this summer for cruise ship port calls and passenger visits.

The UPEI Men’s Basketball Panthers earned a key win as they try and clinch a playoff spot, beating the Capers 79-78.  The Women’s Basketball Panthers dumped Cape Breton 75-64.

The UPEI Men’s Hockey Panthers are home to the St Mary’s Huskies Saturday night at 7:00pm in a must-win Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series. The Huskies are up 1-0 in the series.

The Charlottetown Islanders host the Armada Saturday night at 7:00pm

In the Maritime Junior Hockey league, the Summerside Western Capitals are in Amherst at 7:00pm.

At the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, PEI’s Jane DiCarlo rink lost 11-8 to Saskatchewan. On Saturday they face Alberta.

The Holland College Basketball Hurricanes are home to UKC Saturday with the Women at 2pm and the Men at 4pm.  The Women’s Volleyball Hurricanes are home to Mt. Allison Saturday night while the men are on the road to face St Thomas.

SCOREBOARD

Friday’s Scoreboard

PWHL

Toronto 3 Montreal 0

—

NHL

Carolina 5 Arizona 1

—

AHL

Laval 5 Hartford 2

Toronto 4 Belleville 3

Cleveland 4 Grand Rapids 3

Bridgeport 3 Providence 2

Rochester 5 WB/Scranton 3

Rockford 4 Chicago 0

Texas 6 Iowa 4

Ontario 8 Tucson 1

—

NLL

Halifax 14 Buffalo 12

Toronto 16 New York 10

Philadelphia 10 Las Vegas 8

—

Saturday’s Games

(All times Eastern)

NHL

Los Angeles at Boston, 12:30 p.m.

Edmonton at Dallas, 3 p.m.

Ottawa at Chicago, 3 p.m.

Detroit at Calgary, 4 p.m.

Buffalo at Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Florida at Tampa Bay, 5 p.m.

Nashville at St. Louis, 5 p.m.

Anaheim at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Washington at Montreal, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia vs. New Jersey at MetLife Stadium, 8 p.m.

Winnipeg at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Carolina at Vegas, 10:30 p.m.

Columbus at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

—

PWHL

Minnesota at Ottawa, 2 p.m.

New York at Boston, 4 p.m.

—

AHL

Milwaukee at Manitoba, 3 p.m.

Hershey at Toronto, 4 p.m.

Springfield at Charlotte, 4 p.m.

Laval at WB/Scranton, 6:05 p.m.

Belleville at Utica, 7 p.m.

Hartford at Bridgeport, 7 p.m.

Syracuse at Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m.

Cleveland at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Grand Rapids at Rockford, 8 p.m.

Iowa at Texas, 8 p.m.

Colorado at Coachella Valley, 9 p.m.

Henderson at San Diego, 9 p.m.

Ontario at Tucson, 9 p.m.

Calgary at Abbotsford, 10 p.m.

San Jose at Bakersfield, 10 p.m.

—

NLL

Colorado at Albany, 7 p.m.

—

It’s Jack Frost weekend, and with that, Queen Street in Charlottetown will be closed from Grafton Street to Sydney Street Saturday night from 6:45 p.m. until approximately 7:15 p.m. so people can view the Jack Frost Winterfest fireworks display. The display starts at 7 p.m. behind the 2024 sign on Queen’s Wharf at the Charlottetown waterfront.  Richmond Street (Victoria Row) between Queen Street and Great George Street is now closed until approximately 8 p.m. Saturday night.  

UPEI and Health PEI have released the findings of The Spindle Report.  The University and Health PEI asked a consultant, The Spindle Group, to examine what will be required for the provincial health care system to support the medical school being constructed at UPEI.  The Spindle Report suggests that the medical school at UPEI will eventually require 135 doctors to devote 20 per cent of their work time to teaching.  The report indicates that without changes in recruitment, retention and doctor complement levels, the province won’t be able to meet the required number of doctors. The report estimates up to 43 new physicians will be required over nine years; and the model assumes these physicians will spend a minimum of 80 per cent of their time providing clinical care to Islanders and a maximum of 20 per cent of their time teaching.

Documents CBC News P.E.I. received through Freedom of Information show that a large amount of the wood being used to heat more than 40 provincial buildings has come from forests cleared for new farm fields or housing.

UPEI officials are warning MLAs that the university may need more provincial funding if the federal government’s cap on new international students leads to lower enrolment at the Charlottetown campus. 

UPEI’s medical school will eventually require 135 doctors to devote 20 per cent of their work time to teaching, according to a consultant’s report looking at what it will take for P.E.I.’s health-care system to support the new facility.

Sandra McNevin talks about why the great big gift is a great big deal to Lennon House.

With the launch of CBC's new podcast, Good Question, P.E.I., the number one question people reached out about was why we have to pay a toll to cross the Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick. Host Nicola MacLeod explains.

Health P.E.I.'s efforts to recruit physiotherapists to work at new primary care clinics is creating challenges for other facilities that rely on them.   

A 41 year old man is in custody facing charges including robbery, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and wearing a disguise during the commission of an offence after a robbery in Summerside yesterday

Police say a 911 call came in shortly before 6am yesterday that a a suspect brandished a weapon and fled a Granville Street convenience store with cash and merchandise. No on was injured and police picked up the suspect a couple of hours later in the Reads Corner area.

The Summerside Police Services General Duty members, Forensic Identification Section and Major Crime Unit are investigating. Summerside Police received additional support from the RCMP Police Dog Service.
The investigation is continuing, and anyone with any information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Summerside Police Services at 902-432-1201 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477 (TIPS)

Organizations and groups that work to improve the lives of Island seniors are invited to submit applications for the 2024-2025 PEI Seniors’ Secretariat grant. The grants provide up to $5,000 per project designed to improve the lives of seniors. Groups eligible for funding include non-profit organizations, community-based coalitions, networks, municipal governments, and Indigenous organizations across the Island.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 5, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified in early summer 2024.

Completed applications can be submitted by:

Mail: Seniors Secretariat Grant (Attn: Hailey Arsenault), Department of Social Development and Seniors, 2nd floor Jones Building, 11 Kent Street, Charlottetown PE, C1A 7N8

Email: [email protected]

School bus drivers on P-E-I say the Island’s relatively new fleet of electric buses are plagued with problems. The union that represents drivers says that of the 100 electric buses in use, 16 to 18 of them are usually in the shop on any given day. The union says the biggest problems with the three-year-old vehicles are their often faulty heating systems and the software used for charging. Public school officials say the province is working with the manufacturer,  Lion Electric, to fix those problems — adding that there are always challenges with new technology.

In the Maritime Junior Hockey League…Pictou County edged the Summerside Western Capitals 3-2

Saint Mary’s forward Nathan Dunkley scored a hat-trick, leading the Huskies to a 4-3 win over the UPEI Panthers in Game One of the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey quarterfinal on Thursday night in Halifax.

The Holland College Hurricanes are moving closer to conference championship action and will have some crucial games this weekend at home and on the road, including the final regular season home games of the season for women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. 

William Nylander scored 54 seconds into overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs survived a blown 3-1 lead late in regulation to down the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3

Elsewhere in the NHL, the New York Rangers beat the Montreal Canadiens  7-4 

Florida Panthers became the 11th N-H-L team to win 10 consecutive road games, beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-0

The Anaheim Ducks skated to a 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators. . 

The Jane DiCarlo-skipped rink from the Crapaud Community Curling Club, including third stone Veronica Mayne, second stone Sabrina Smith, lead Whitney Jenkins, alternate Emily Best and coach Daryell Nowlan – are competing in their first Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian women’s curling championship, which starts today and goes to Feb. 25.

Prices at the pumps and to heat your home are up this morning. In the Island Regulatory and Appeals regular weekly price adjustments, regular gas increased by 2.5 cents a liter, premium gas by 2 cents and home heating oil by one. Only diesel stays the same.

Including taxes, pump prices for regular unleaded gasoline at self-serve outlets will range from 163.4 to
164.6 cpl, prices for premium unleaded gasoline at self-serve outlets will range from 172.8 to 174.0 cpl and
prices for diesel will range from 202.9 to 204.0 cpl.
The maximum price for furnace oil is 144.9 cpl.

Parks Canada has released the first-ever management plan for Green Gables Heritage Place. It has stirred up some controversy, but fans of L.M. Montgomery say the changes could help build visitation to the site and awareness of the author's contributions.

A rising number of seniors in Prince Edward Island are feeling the pinch of poverty, and demand for both provincial and community services is as high as it's ever been.

The latest housing numbers for the Island show listings have increased, sales are up and prices are relatively stable. The president of the P.E.I. Real Estate Association discusses what those numbers mean with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.