What's next for Summerside-Wilmot in wake of Sherry resignation

There's no word yet on when a byelection will be held for Summerside-Wilmot says P.E.I.'s Chief Electoral Officer Gary McLeod, after the district's MLA Janice Sherry resigned Monday.

• Summerside-Wilmot MLA Janice Sherry leaving provincial politics​

P.E.I.'s Liberal Party announced Monday Sherry would return to private life effective immediately.

I got to spend some more time with my kids, and it was really evident to me that, y'know, the kids miss me.— Janice Sherry 

It's up to the provincial government to decide when the byelection will be, MacLeod said.

"We'll make sure the returning officer is up to speed on what is happening," said MacLeod. "We are going to make sure we have polling locations looked at. We'll start the process of how the entire process would work — notify the parties —  election workers would be required. Things like that." 

The government has six months to call an election after a seat becomes vacant. February 1, 2017, would be the last day the government could order Elections P.E.I. to issue the writ of election.

Even though there's been no official contact yet, MacLeod said Elections P.E.I. is starting to prepare for the process. 

'More free time'

Sherry said that she had been thinking about the amount of time it takes to serve as an MLA — something she said she had more time to do after being left out of the Wade MacLauchlan cabinet.

"I had more free time, I got to spend some more time with my kids, and it was really evident to me that, y'know, the kids miss me," Sherry told CBC Radio: Island Morning Tuesday. 

Sherry's resignation now, almost three years before the next provincial election, should give the Liberal party plenty of time to find a new candidate, she said.

Thanks and good luck

Meanwhile, Sherry is being thanked for her public service. 

"I thank Janice Sherry for her years of service to the people of Prince Edward Island," said Leader of the Official Opposition Jamie Fox in a written statement.

"I wish her all the best as she returns to private life, and the opportunity to spend more time with her family."

"We know that increased diversity, including gender diversity is a vital component of equality. As one of only five women members of the legislature, Janice Sherry's voice and experience will be greatly missed," added Dawn Wilson, the executive director of the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government.

Following Sherry's resignation, the coalition points out only four of the Island's 26 MLAs are women.

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