The head of the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance expressed astonishment at the exclusion of “climate action” from a government department’s title following a recent cabinet shuffle. Premier Rob Lantz reorganized his cabinet on February 12, appointing Darlene Compton as the Minister of Land and Environment. Previously, the department was known as the Environment, Energy, and Climate Action department. In the reshuffle, energy was transferred to the transportation and infrastructure portfolio, leaving out any mention of climate action.
Heather Laiskonis, the executive director of the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance, emphasized the essential need for dedicated leadership in addressing climate change. She highlighted the importance of having a minister leading efforts to combat climate change to ensure coordinated strategies and proactive measures. Laiskonis stressed that climate change impacts various sectors in the province, including fishing, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, and agriculture.
The removal of “climate action” from the government portfolio title raised concerns for Laiskonis, who questioned the government’s commitment to climate change initiatives. She cited the pioneering work of the living labs initiative in P.E.I. as evidence of the province’s previous leadership in tackling climate challenges. Laiskonis also raised doubts about the effectiveness of multiple departments addressing climate issues without a dedicated climate action minister.
Moreover, Laiskonis criticized the elimination of departmental titles in the cabinet shuffle, noting that the department of fisheries, tourism, sport, and culture underwent changes, including the addition of rural development and the removal of sport and culture altogether. The alterations in departmental titles signify a shift away from proactive climate action leadership, according to Laiskonis.