Ghiz slams Tory tactics in victory speech
CBC News
Posted: Oct 4, 2011 9:57 AM AT
Last Updated: Oct 4, 2011 12:10 PM AT
P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz slammed the Tories in his victory speech Monday night. (CBC)
Related
The victory party last night for Robert Ghiz had a bit of an edge to it after a hard fought campaign.
Ghiz, who fought his way through personal attacks to win a second consecutive majority government, made it clear he didn't approve of the Tory tactics.
The premier used most of his victory speech to condemn the personal attacks he says he suffered at the hands of Progressive Conservative Leader Olive Crane.
"To my family — my mother, my in-laws — you didn't sign onto this. I apologize that you had to go through some difficult times," he said.
"But, remember this, Islanders sent a clear message that the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island is the honest and forthright party and thank you to Islanders for delivering a clear message."
Crane and others accused Ghiz's friends and family of benefiting from the controversial Provincial Nominee Program.
Midway through the campaign three former provincial government workers came forward with accusations of government officials accepting bribes from potential immigrants.
They passed the allegations on to federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, who referred them to the RCMP and Canadian Border Services.
Ghiz's mom, Rose Ellen, has been in politics her whole life, and she says she's never seen anything like it.
"This was probably the dirtiest campaign. I have no problem attacking someone on policy. It doesn't bother me one bit," she said. "But when you get personal and, when the personals are lies, that is what really is upsetting."
Two of Ghiz's cabinet ministers went down to defeat.
Fisheries Minister Neil LeClair was defeated by Progressive Conservative challenger Hal Perry by a little more than one per cent of the vote in Tignish-Palmer Road.
PC candidate Colin LaVie toppled Innovation Minister Allan Campbell by less than one per cent in Souris-Elmira. Ghiz said he thinks Campbell lost because of the Souris fish plant closure, but he couldn't explain why LeClair failed to keep his seat.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- The P.E.I. New Democratic Party was supposed to elect a new leader on the weekend, but that didn't happen. more »
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Clouds of dust are a common site on P.E.I. farms this year as weeks of unusually dry conditions are threatening this year's crops. more »
- New food guidelines for early child care centres
- In March, the P.E.I. Healthy Eating Alliance paid a visit to 10 centres to review menus and offer suggestions on how to improve the nutritional quality of the foods served to the children. more »
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- P.E.I. strawberry growers are keeping a close eye on the weather, wondering if a frost warning for Monday night will hurt this year's crop. more »
Top News Headlines
- B.C. police shooting video sparks calls for new probe
- Amateur video of the shooting of a mentally ill Vancouver man five years ago has prompted calls for B.C.'s police complaint commissioner and Crown prosecutors to take another look at the case. more »
- 'Engine shutdown' forced Air Canada jet to land
- A Japan-bound Air Canada Boeing 777 made an emergency landing at Toronto's Pearson airport on Monday, after one of its engines failed. more »
- CP Rail union, Tories battle over collective bargaining
- The federal Conservatives are defending their plan to force striking Canadian Pacific Railway employees back to work as a way to keep the economy on track, while the union representing 4,800 workers says their collective bargaining rights are under attack. more »
- Quebec student talks resume amid continuing protests
- A new round of negotiations between students and Quebec's Liberal government over the province's tuition-fee crisis extended into the night, while thousands took to the street in protest, leading to dozens of arrests. more »
- NDP votes against electing leader at convention
- Province appointing English school board trustees
- P.E.I. players on cup-winning junior hockey team
- Old church needs more money for facelift
- Frosty forecast worries P.E.I. strawberry farmers
- Dry weather threatens some P.E.I. crops
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature

