Interim Liberal leader prioritizes health and housing for P.E.I. in 2024

Hal Perry is no stranger to serving Prince Edward Islanders, but it's probably fair to say that became a bigger part of his job in 2023. 

The Tignish-Palmer Road MLA, who famously serves as a New Year's Eve designated driver for his constituents, became the P.E.I. Liberal Party's interim leader in April. 

He's also the leader of the Official Opposition thanks to the Liberals edging past the Green Party with three seats in the provincial legislature — held by Perry, Robert Henderson and Gord McNeilly — to the Greens' two in the April general election.

The Liberal party's leader at the time, Sharon Cameron, did not win a seat and stepped down. 

Perry said it's been challenging, but he feels it is "a tremendous honour" to be Opposition leader. 

"It is a heavier weight, but I do appreciate that Islanders feel comfortable enough to come to me and discuss the issues that are impacting their homes and their individual selves," he told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin during a year-end interview on Thursday. 

When he accepted the interim leadership, Perry said he didn't want the permanent job — and as the year draws to a close, he hasn't changed his mind.  

"Absolutely not. I never had any aspirations for it," he said. "I love being the MLA for Tignish-Palmer Road and that gives me the greatest joy in life." 

The Liberals returned to Opposition after the Greens became the only third different party in P.E.I. history to earn that status in the 2019 election. 

Although the governing Progressive Conservatives' 22 seats dwarf those held by both opposition parties, Perry said the Liberal caucus is taking the role no less seriously. 

"I've been in opposition before, so I know the role of it… is to hold government to account for the decisions they make, or lack thereof, so we've had plenty to work with this year," he said.

"It's advocating for the people and understanding the challenges they have. That can be, at times, a tremendous load, but we have a very capable caucus." 

The Liberals still face a road of recovery if the party wants to form a government again. That was last the case under Wade MacLauchlan from 2015 to 2019.  

Perry said the first steps will be solidifying candidates in each district in preparation for selecting a new leader.