A two percentage point PST cut promised by PC leader Olive Crane is “voodoo economics,” a UPEI economics professor said. “Even the most opportunistic projections aren’t going to come close to making up the lost revenue. And on the other hand, if you do any government spending cuts to balance the lost revenue, that’s going to have an equally impressive negative impact on spending,” Jim Sentance, chair of the department of economics and assistant professor said. “So it’s voodoo economics. She’s putting us tens of millions of dollars further into deficit territory.” Ms Crane promised a one percentage point cut when she takes ...

On Wednesday, the Island Party will release its policy on MLA benefits and responsibilities. Several promises in this announcement will be unprecedented in Prince Edward Island politics, stated the Island Party. The main points will include a pay cut to MLAs salaries, an end to the bonus money MLAs receive for each committee they sit on, cutting MLAs’ mileage, reforming MLA pensions, and ensuring MLAs are ineligible for government-funded programs.  The Island Party states each Island Party member elected in October will adhere to this policy, to lead by example and remain in touch with working-class Islanders. ...

The federal Conservative government has poured $2.9 billion into infrastructure, cultural, health and social programs on the Island during the Ghiz administration’s reign said Progressive Conservative Leader Olive Crane during Question Period Friday. “The federal government has spread millions and millions of dollars in support of our Island communities from tip, to tip,” said Ms Crane. “We’ve seen those dollars in major upgrades to our highways, to wharf repairs, sewer and water system upgrades, support for cultural events like the Indian River Festival and to helping rebuild arenas like the one in Evangeline, that was destroyed by fire,” said the PC Leader.  ...

Malpeque New Democratic Party candidate Rita Jackson is charging the Harper government has endangered the entire East Coast fishery. In a written statement, Ms Jackson cited a move by Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to ignore the vote by the House of Commons and two parliamentary committees regarding amending the agreement with the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) that possibly allows European countries to control the fishery inside Canada’s 200-mile limit. “In 2009, both the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans and the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans recommended against signing the proposed changes to the NAFO agreement,” ...

PEI People First members encouraged individuals with disabilities to get out and vote in the federal election on May 2 at the recent annual conference held in Charlottetown. Members want to stress everyone has the right to vote, and it’s clear many people want to take part in the elections, regardless of their ability or where they live. Many people with intellectual disabilities who live in institutions - “do not always know where and when they will vote on Election Day. They need to know what is going on, so that they don’t miss out on their chance to vote,” said ...

  By Jim Brown In the waning days of the 2011 election campaign at least two Egmont candidates have had their signs damaged by vandals. Philip Brown, Egmont Conservative candidate Gail Shea’s campaign manager, confirmed several of Ms Shea’s billboard signs were damaged, as well as a number of smaller lawn signs. “There’s quite a number of signs damaged. I don’t know why,” said the incumbent Egmont MP’s campaign manager. Mr Brown stressed he believes the vandals were acting “indiscriminately” in their mischief. “We aren’t blaming one side or the other on this,” he said. “It’s very unfortunate,” said Mr Brown, adding the damage to large signs ...

One of Malpeque Liberal MP Wayne Easter’s campaign signs, located near Clinton, was defaced by vandals recently. At least two Egmont Riding candidates, Conservative MP Gail Shea and Liberal challenger Guy Gallant, also reported a number of their signs were vandalized.       ...

John Mellish, owner of Mellish Motors in New Annan, on Highway 2, offers this humorous take on the 2011 federal election. This sign was photographed Monday morning, April 25, only a week before the May 2 election. Jim Brown photo   ...

Candidate Questions   1. What are the main issues you are hearing from the constituents of Egmont?   2. Why do you think your leader should be Prime Minister?   3. What makes you the best candidate for Egmont?   ...

Candidate Questions   1. What are the main issues you are hearing from the constituents of Egmont?   2. Why do you think your leader should be Prime Minister?   3. What makes you the best candidate for Egmont?   ...