Long-serving MLA Robert Mitchell emerged victorious as the new leader of the P.E.I. Liberal Party following the leadership contest on Saturday. Mitchell secured a decisive win with 2,372 votes, representing 82.3% of the total, compared to Todd Cormier’s 509 votes, which accounted for 17.6%.
The voting process, conducted online, saw a high turnout of 90.3%, with a total of 2,882 ballots cast and only one spoiled ballot. Mitchell expressed his readiness to begin working immediately, aiming to visit all 27 districts in P.E.I. to select Liberal candidates for the upcoming provincial election, scheduled for fall 2027 but possibly sooner.
During his victory speech, Mitchell emphasized the party’s enthusiasm, momentum, and determination to restore the Liberal brand across districts. As a former MLA under premiers Robert Ghiz and Wade MacLauchlan, Mitchell served in key ministerial roles.
The event featured impactful speeches from Hal Perry, the interim leader, and Andrew Furey, the former premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. Perry highlighted the need for effective leadership to address challenges in healthcare and other sectors, emphasizing the party’s commitment to listening and working for the people.
The prevailing theme of the leadership convention was “Momentum Is Ours,” symbolizing the party’s recent success in a byelection and its focus on rebuilding and uniting. Carolyn Simpson’s victory in District 9 provided a boost of energy to the Liberal campaign.
Furey echoed the sentiment of change and placing Islanders at the forefront of government decisions, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the party. The leadership race, which began in the summer and extended into the fall, was the first contested one for the P.E.I. Liberals in over two decades, with online voting being introduced for the first time.
With four seats in P.E.I. and holding the position of Official Opposition, the Liberals are gearing up for the future under Mitchell’s leadership. The party’s commitment to listening and working for the people remains central to their vision of a brighter future.