Melissa Hilton named PC candidate for District 11 byelection

Melissa Hilton has won the nomination for the Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I. in the upcoming byelection in District 11, Charlottetown-Parkdale.

Hilton, a Charlottetown native, has represented Ward 9 as a member of city council since 2005.

At Wednesday night's meeting, Hilton focused on overcrowded schools in the area and a lack of access to healthcare across P.E.I.

She said she feels her experience on Charlottetown's city council makes her qualified for the job.

"I know that I have a lot to offer the constituents of District 11," Hilton said. "I've represented Ward 9 for 12 years in total. I've listened to them. I've done incredible work for them and it shows because they kept re-electing me."

The District 11 byelection is set for Monday, Nov. 27.

The seat was vacated when former MLA Doug Currie resigned in October.

Sign dispute

The PC Party was asked to take down signs for Hilton that were spotted around Charlottetown–Parkdale Wednesday morning.

The party's nomination meeting wasn't until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, but Hilton was the only candidate hoping to run in the byelection. The party's deadline for nominations passed Monday at 5 p.m.

However, Elections P.E.I. reviewed the rules and said there was no officially nominated candidate who could be registered because the nomination meeting hadn't yet taken place.

The PCs asked Elections P.E.I. to take a second look at the regulations, and the agency confirmed its original ruling.

In a statement, Elections P.E.I. said the signs are in violation of Section 17 of the Election Expenses Act and asked they be taken down until a candidate is registered.

A candidate has to register with the office of the returning officer.

The party said it disagrees with Elections P.E.I.'s interpretation of the rules, and would only take the signs down if a judge orders them to do so. 

"It's showing we have a very energetic and excited group of people that are ready to work hard," said Hilton about the signs.

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