Cory Deagle quits P.E.I. cabinet to become 1st candidate for Progressive Conservative leadership
MLA for Montague-Kilmuir says he's 'ready to put in the hard work needed'
A Prince Edward Island cabinet minister has become the first person to say he is running for the leadership of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party.
Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade Cory Deagle threw his hat into the empty ring on Wednesday.
"I am excited to take this next step and am ready to put in the hard work needed to lead our party and province," a news release quoted the Montague-Kilmuir MLA as saying. "Together, we can build a brighter future, addressing challenges head-on and creating new opportunities for all Islanders."
The leadership is up for grabs after Dennis King announced on Feb. 20 that he was stepping down as premier and leader of the party, as well as resigning as MLA for Brackley-Hunter River.
The party said hours later that Rob Lantz would fill the leadership role until a contest could be arranged. That automatically made Lantz premier, since the PCs hold a majority in the legislature.
Lantz has said he does not intend to seek the permanent leadership.
He told CBC News on Tuesday that PC party executive will set up a leadership convention committee to establish the rules and timing for the race, adding: "I want to guide the ship until we can get to that transition."
Deagle's news release said he told Lantz he would be resigning from cabinet immediately "to focus his efforts on the pending leadership race and serving the people of District 3, Montague-Kilmuir."
That will leave the economic development, innovation and trade portfolio empty at a time when P.E.I. and other Canadian provinces are facing the prospect of major tariffs on goods being sold in the United States.
Lantz had a call with other premiers on Wednesday to discuss the latest strategies.
"I'm very anxious to get on board with Team Canada," he said in advance of the call. "We need to wrap our arms around that. I need to get up to speed."
The premier also said the provincial budget would have to be adjusted "to have a cushion there to protect against the effects of those tariffs."