Legislature is out, P.E.I. politicians gear up for fall election

CHARLOTTETOWN – Now that the spring session of the P.E.I. legislature has wrapped, the focus has turned to the Island’s first, fixed-date election.

Islanders go the polls on October 3rd.

The governing Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives have begun holding nomination meetings ahead of the vote.

Premier Robert Ghiz has said his government has made significant progress on a number of priorities since coming into power.

He says that includes adding more doctors and nurses, implementation of kindergarten and more money for early childhood education.

But Opposition Leader Olive Crane says Ghiz has spent more time campaigning than running the province lately.

Like most spring sessions, there wasn’t much legislation passed.

The highlight was the passing of the $1.5 billion budget.

The province is forecasting a $42 million deficit for 2011-12.

The province also passed legislation requiring the Island’s financial books to be audited before the vote.

Ghiz said too many times, the numbers that political parties promised before an election didn’t materialize.