King makes it official: Prince Edward Island election to be held April 3

Prince Edward Islanders are heading to the polls for a provincial election this spring, with voting day set for Monday, April 3.

Progressive Conservative Leader Dennis King made the official announcement Monday evening at his nomination meeting, as he became the final candidate to be nominated to run in the 2023 provincial election for the party.

"This election is going to be about a lot of things. But primarily it's about leadership," King told about 200 candidates and supporters gathered at Winsloe United Church in his district of Brackley-Hunter River, surrounded by signs reading: "PC: With you, for you."

"It's about who's best positioned to lead our province forward during the next four years."

In a high-energy speech, he listed how his party had tackled the key issues of health care, the rising cost of living, and access to housing.

"Today is the beginning of a new journey," King said as he wrapped up, saying: "I'm confident in our team, I'm confident in our plan, I'm confident in our track record.

"And I say to you, and I say to the 26 of you [candidates] behind me: Let's get to work, let's go get the job done one more time."

The election call came after months of speculation about a possible spring election, at kitchen tables and coffee shops as well as in the halls of the legislature. King all but guaranteed it this winter, dropping hints here and there that the PCs were getting ready — most recently in an interview after the party nominated its first candidate in the city of Summerside. 

Prince Edward Island does have fixed election legislation setting the next voting date as Oct. 2, 2023, but King exercised his right as premier to trigger it early.

King later defended that decision when talking to reporters. 

"It's four years; it's time to have an election," he said. "There's uncertainty in the future and Islanders should have a say in that." 

King added that there is a chance of a federal election later in the year, given that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leading a minority government. "There's uncertainty in Ottawa," he said. "There could be a fall election. Part of the reason our election was moved [is] because the election dates in Ottawa."

The P.C. leader, who had held the premier's job since 2019, said he went to see Lt.-Gov Antoinette Perry on Monday morning to kickstart the election.

Shortly after King spoke, Elections P.E.I. issued a news release about the provincial vote to be held in four weeks' time, saying advance polls would take place on March 25, 27 and 31 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.