Latest news with #Lantz
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
P.E.I. pitches 7 'nation-building' projects to Ottawa at first ministers' conference
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz is pitching seven so-called "nation-building" projects at the first ministers' conference in Saskatoon on Monday. Lantz is meeting with other provincial and territorial leaders and Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time since the April 28 federal election. Carney told CBC's Power & Politics last week that "major projects" are the top priority of the meeting. He described them as "nation-building projects" that will unite the country, diversify the economy, boost exports and move the economy forward. Each province was asked to bring a list of ideas. At the top of Lantz's list is a regional project to increase electrical capacity on the Island. "This concept that we're bringing forward here in Saskatoon would strengthen the transmission across Atlantic Canada, and connect the region to the national grid, open up regional generation opportunities," Lantz told CBC's Island Morning on Sunday. "It would trigger billions of dollars, not just in infrastructure investment, but also economic development opportunities. We're running up against capacity issues in Prince Edward Island, and it could be difficult to develop any large industrial or agricultural enterprises here in the province, unless we really deal with our energy future and secure our energy future." Power reliability has been a major topic this year on the Island after the City of Summerside, which operates its own utility, faced a series of power disruptions this winter. Summerside Electric generates about 60 per cent of its electricity through renewable sources like solar and wind, but it still relies on Maritime Electric's transmission grid for power that the smaller utility buys from New Brunswick. A failure at Maritime Electric's Sherbrooke substation, located just north of the city, led to significant power challenges in February. As a result, residents were asked to conserve electricity and a mobile transformer had to be brought in from Newfoundland to stabilize the system. Lantz noted P.E.I. depends on New Brunswick for additional electricity, delivered through underwater cables. He said the province may need to look at other solutions, for example another undersea cable to Nova Scotia, as part of the energy pitch. Ahead of the first ministers' meeting, P.E.I. and Ontario signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Sunday to cut down on trade barriers and ease the flow of trade and labour across the two provincial borders. Lantz said it came together as a direct result of P.E.I. Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act. "We're the second province in the country to pass [an] internal trade and labour mobility act in the legislature this spring, and so we are in a position to start making deals with other provinces. Ontario has been very active in that front," he said. The MOU says the two provinces agree on six points, including encouraging other provinces to join P.E.I. and Ontario in their agreement, looking for ways to align regulated professions and creating a direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement, among other priorities. The annual value of trade in goods and services between Ontario and P.E.I. is more than $1.5 billion, the P.E.I. government said in a release. An external analysis by the Montreal Economic Institute suggests a deal like this between P.E.I. and Ontario could contribute $1.1 billion to the Canadian economy. In addition to the energy proposal, Lantz is pitching six other infrastructure projects. One of them is building another road into West Prince. The issue has raised concerns in the past by Liberal MLA for Tignish-Palmer Road Hal Perry, who warned the region relies on a single road in and out, which is a stretch of Route 2 between Portage and New Devon, and what would happen in the event of an emergency or if that road were closed. Other proposed projects include developing a shipping port, expanding air cargo capacity at Charlottetown Airport, and establishing a year-round connection to Nova Scotia, potentially through a bridge or ferry. The premier is also calling for an expansion of three-phased power, improved cell service. "The prime minister has been very vocal that he wants the provinces to be very ambitious on these projects," Lantz said. "So we're pitching everything we can that we can think of that would rise to that threshold of a nation-building project." The regional energy initiative stands out among the seven proposals as it "approaches a nation building-threshold better than those other projects and very much needed in the region," he said. Lantz says he does not know how many — if any — of these projects will be approved or whether the province would have to pay a portion of the cost. The province's financial capacity is already under pressure. A report by the auditor general in November flagged rising debt levels. P.E.I.'s net debt increased by 26 per cent over the past decade, reaching $2.65 billion as of March 31, 2024. The most recent provincial budget projects a $183.9-million deficit, with the debt expected to climb to about $4.2 billion by March 31, 2028. When asked whether P.E.I. can afford to invest in such large infrastructure, Lantz said: "We need to invest in order to grow."
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lantz leaves door open for P.E.I. Progressive Conservative leadership run after all
Premier Rob Lantz says he is not ruling out a run for the permanent leadership of P.E.I.'s Progressive Conservative Party, despite previously indicating that he didn't want anything but the interim job. Lantz became the governing party's interim leader and thus the premier on Feb. 21, a day after Dennis King's sudden resignation from both roles. In a statement to CBC News on Wednesday, Lantz said he's been focused on leading the province and the spring legislative sitting over the past three months. "In that same time, many Islanders have approached me about reconsidering my stance on running for the leadership of the PC Party," he said in the statement. "I owe it to those who have been encouraging me to have a conversation with them and hear what they have to say — and that's what I am doing right now." WATCH | As P.E.I. PCs work on leadership convention plan, Premier Rob Lantz says he's being urged to run: King's resignation meant all three political parties with seats in the P.E.I. Legislature were left without a permanent leader. The Green Party will hold a leadership convention on June 7, while the Liberals' top spot will be contested Oct. 4. The PCs have not yet selected a date for their convention. Sidney Gallant, president of the P.E.I. Progressive Conservatives, said Wednesday that the party has now finalized the rules for the race. The government also has to call two byelections in the near future — one in Brackley-Hunter River triggered by King's resignation, and another in Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park after Natalie Jameson stepped down to run in a losing bid for the federal Conservatives in the April general election. WATCH | P.E.I. premier talks to CBC News: Compass about his resignation and what's next "It's our job to make sure that the party's ready to tackle those byelections when the premier calls them," Gallant said. "There's a lot on the plate, and we don't take this lightly. The next leader of the PC Party will be the next premier of Prince Edward Island, so we want to make sure that we're not rushing [a convention]. We want to do this right." Lantz had been relatively clear from the day he was sworn in as premier that he did not intend to seek the permanent leadership — but even back then, he didn't fully close the door. "I may very much enjoy doing this job and regret that I don't put myself forward for that permanent leadership," he told CBC News in an interview after his Feb. 21 swearing-in ceremony. If the current premier throws his hat in the ring for the leadership, he'll face at least two other candidates, neither of whom said Wednesday that they would be concerned with Lantz entering the race. Mark Ledwell, a Stratford lawyer, announced last week that he's interested in the party's top job. He's been working behind the scenes with the Progressive Conservatives since the 1980s. "Premier Lantz stepped into a big job on short notice, and I think he needs to be applauded for doing that," Ledwell said. "I know what he said publicly, and whether or not he runs, that's his decision. I don't discourage anyone from running." Cory Deagle, the other announced candidate and the current MLA for Montague-Kilmuir, stepped down from a cabinet post just days after King's resignation to announce his leadership bid. Whether Lantz decides to run for leadership or not, Deagle said he expects the race to be competitive. "It would definitely change the dynamics of the race," he said Wednesday of the possibility of his current boss seeking the leadership. "A competitive race is good for the party. Ultimately it'll be up to Premier Lantz whether or not he decides if he wants to run for the leadership." Gallant said she expects more people to come forward, with a party search committee actively recruiting candidates. If Lantz does decide to run, he'll have just 10 days after the convention date is announced to hand over the reins of the province to yet another interim party leader, who would therefore also be premier.
CBC
19-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Lantz Volunteer Fire Department appoints first female fire chief
Meet the Lantz Fire Department's first female chief 55 years ago Social Sharing Kensa Harris has made history by becoming the first female chief of the Lantz Volunteer Fire Department. Harris was one of only two female firefighters in the department when she first joined 14 years ago. She says being a firefighter in a traditionally male position hasn't been easy. But it has helped her become a role model for young women. "I wanna do a good job," she said. "I think being a fire chief in a volunteer organization comes with a lot of responsibility but for me, my focus is making sure I do the job well and make the department my priority." Harris replaces Kory Orchard, who retired after five years in the position. Katelyn Oakes, a firefighter in the department, says the decision to select Harris is based on her skills and is a clear sign of openness to change. She hopes Harris's leadership will encourage other women to volunteer with the department. "It's nice to see a female in such a leadership role and for little girls in the community, especially, to look up to her," said Oakes, "and hopefully we'll get a few more females around here to outrank the boys, show them how it's done." Harris leads a department that has its share of challenges. Those include recruitment of new members and the need for a new fire station. "So making sure we stay constantly thinking about what comes next," she said. "Do we have enough members to meet what the community needs from us." The department has 30 members. Four are women, including Harris. But Harris hopes that number will grow in the coming months. A new truck is expected by the end of this year or in 2026, allowing the department to improve its emergency response. Local councillor Walter Tingley is aware of the problems facing the department and says the community will continue to support it. "We have staff that'll work with them toward their needs on equipment and whatever their needs are that way," Tingley said.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
M&M Bake Shop, owner get final goodbye
CUMBERLAND — For the past couple of months, something sweet has been missing on Baltimore Street. Even with rain in the forecast, the community came out in droves Saturday to celebrate the memories of the beloved M&M Bake Shop, which closed in March. Roger Lantz, a longtime member of the Cumberland community and owner of the shop, closed it to focus on his health and retirement. Now known as M&M Bake Shop Roger Lantz Day, a celebration was held right outside the store Saturday afternoon, with hundreds of residents stopping by to pay tribute to Lantz and the baked delicacies that they enjoyed for decades. The public was invited to sign an oversized thank-you card and share a slice of cake with Lantz. Almost 400 residents came to see Lantz and wish him well. 'Everything went so well,' Lantz said at the celebration Saturday. Just after Lantz announced the shop's closure, thousands of dollars were donated to a retirement fund set up by the public to allow him to turn to the next chapter of his life. 'If you grew up and moved away, one of the first places you would come back to is M&M,' said Becky McClarran, who has lived in Cumberland for more than 40 years. McClarran, owner at McClarran and Williams Inc., is the marketing chair of the Downtown Cumberland Business Association, and sits on various boards of other community organizations such as the Allegany County Animal Shelter. 'Whenever I would need something, I would go to Roger and he was the first person to say 'absolutely,'' McClarran said. To McClarran, Lantz was someone who was 'low key' about helping everyone in the community, and not just with his delicious baked goods, either. 'Having a bakery like that, it's really special for a small town,' she said. Ed Mullaney, who grew up in Cumberland and has seen the area change for decades, has always known Lantz and the bake shop as the place to go. 'He impacted me because I thought that he had the best cream fills in the state of Maryland,' Mullaney said. 'He just personalized everything.' Mullaney said that he would decorate cookies elaborately, something that remained unchanged and distinct for decades. 'He just does things and you don't even realize, you know,' Mullaney said. 'We just wanted to honor (Lantz) a little bit and let him know how beloved he really is,' McClarran concluded.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
P.E.I. premier says he'll urge Carney to 'quickly' live up to ferry, bridge toll reduction promise
Social Sharing A day after the federal election, politicians in P.E.I. wanted to know what the provincial Progressive Conservatives' priorities would be for the new Liberal government. Premier Rob Lantz's answer to those questions Tuesday in the legislature wasn't surprising — reducing tolls on the Confederation Bridge and fees to take a ferry across the Northumberland Strait. Both the federal Liberals and Conservatives pledged to either reduce or eliminate those tolls in the lead-up to Monday's election, and Lantz said he'll hold newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney to that promise. "It's obviously a very big commitment that they've made to this province and I want to make sure that they live up to it and they live up to it quickly," the premier said during question period. "I don't want this to be something that needs to be studied and mulled over for months and years at a time. I think it's something that can be very simply implemented." WATCH | With federal vote over, P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz will be counting the days until bridge tolls drop: With federal vote over, P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz will be counting the days until bridge tolls drop 3 hours ago Duration 6:22 As the dust settled from the April 28 federal election, the provincial legislature was full of reaction. Premier Rob Lantz congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney and the new Liberal government, and said lobbying for promised reductions to the cost of using the Confederation Bridge and Northumberland Ferries are at the top of his list. U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration's continued threat to levy tariffs against the goods it imports from numerous countries, including Canada, has led to renewed talk of reducing trade barriers between provinces. Lantz has previously said removing or lowering the fees to cross the Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick and ride the ferries to Nova Scotia would be a "quick win" on the interprovincial trade front. P.E.I. politicians have long argued that this would be only fair, given that the two services amount to a continuation of the TransCanada Highway. The premier said Tuesday that he spoke with three of the four Liberal candidates who won their ridings Monday night, who also made the commitment to reducing those tolls as quickly as possible. Last week, Carney promised that if elected, he would lower the round-trip toll on the Confederation Bridge by more than half, from $50 to $20, and lower the $86 cost of a ferry round trip "by at least half." The federal Conservatives had promised to eliminate the bridge tolls altogether and review the ferry service. Lantz said Tuesday that a total elimination of fees is still his goal, but reducing the tolls is a good first step, saying it will leave money in Islanders' pockets. "My position has been to eliminate them, given the environment that we're in," he said. "It's an unnecessary cost for us, it holds us back. "But look, I'll take a significant reduction over nothing, so in that regard I'm pleased." 'Difficult times ahead' While the premier said he has no timeline as to when Carney might reduce the fees, he hopes to see a plan outlined in the new Liberal government's first budget. Carney spoke last month of his goal to achieve " free trade by Canada Day" among the provinces and territories. Lantz said it's important that provinces and the federal government continue to work to reduce trade barriers. The PC government has tabled a bill aimed at doing just that. WATCH | FULL SPEECH | Carney delivers message of unity as Liberals projected to win 4th term: FULL SPEECH | Carney delivers message of unity as Liberals projected to win 4th term 19 hours ago Duration 20:01 CBC News projects the Liberals will form the next government and that Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be elected to his first seat in the House of Commons in his suburban Ottawa riding of Nepean. Carney, speaking in Ottawa on election night, says he will always do his 'best to represent everyone who calls Canada home.' On Tuesday, Lantz said he's happy to see the election of a "stable" federal government that can forge a path in a global economic environment upended by the U.S. trade wars. "Donald Trump, he's given no sign of backing down. He's starting to repeat his threats against Canada," Lantz said. "There's difficult times ahead... I think we're well-positioned now, though, to move forward, and I'd like to see Canada become the most prosperous nation it can under those circumstances."
