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rfmcdonaldWade MacLauchlan, former president of the University of Prince Edward Island, is now the 32nd premier of Prince Edward Island.
His election symbolizes the extent to which the Island has become cosmopolitan. (The Chinese vote may be noteworthy.)
Perhaps more notably, MacLauchlan himself is gay: out, partnered, all of it.
Newly confirmed P.E.I. Liberal Leader Wade MacLauchlan turned to the words of Island songwriter Stompin' Tom Connors to inspire his party for a campaign expected this spring.
"As Stompin’ Tom has taught us, 'If ya don't get at it when ya get to it, you won't get to it to get at it again,'" said MacLauchlan.
MacLauchlan was the only candidate for the leadership, and the convention Saturday afternoon was a formality. He will be sworn in as premier on Monday morning, along with a new cabinet. He replaces Robert Ghiz, who announced in November he would resign pending the election of a new leader.
MacLauchlan, the former president of the University of Prince Edward Island, has been criticized for not laying out more details of his agenda as he moves into government. He was short on specifics Saturday as well, but did present the pillars of a strategy for a provincial election campaign expected in the spring: economic growth, demographic change, and open government.
His election symbolizes the extent to which the Island has become cosmopolitan. (The Chinese vote may be noteworthy.)
On demographic change, MacLauchlan said the province must continue in its recent successes in attracting immigrants. The province has to do better at retaining its own talented and most mobile people, and encouraging expatriate Islanders to return.
"We cannot prosper without an effective population strategy," he said.
MacLauchlan directly addressed the growing Chinese population on P.E.I., speaking in Mandarin wishing them a happy new year.
The Chinese population could be a significant factor in the coming election, especially in Charlottetown. There is the potential for thousands of new Chinese Canadians voting for the first time in the capital city.
Perhaps more notably, MacLauchlan himself is gay: out, partnered, all of it.
