Kent MacDonald acclaimed as federal Liberal candidate in P.E.I.'s Cardigan riding

For the first time in nearly 40 years, the federal Liberals have a new candidate in eastern P.E.I.'s Cardigan riding.

Kent MacDonald, a seventh-generation dairy farmer from Little Pond, was acclaimed as the party's candidate for the riding this week. 

"The Liberal party's platform is what I believe in," MacDonald is quoted as saying in a news release. 

"The federal Liberals have put millions into our communities through school lunch programs, health care for Island seniors, and low-interest loans for housing. This is supporting families and working people." 

MacDonald will look to hold the seat for the Liberals after Lawrence MacAulay announced he would not seek re-election after a 36-year political career and 11 straight election wins in Cardigan. 

MacDonald is a past director, vice-chair and chair of Dairy Farmers of P.E.I., and was a director and vice-chair of the P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture.  

He is the current president of Pondsedge Farms, his family's dairy and beef operation. 

The race to succeed MacAulay as Cardigan's MP also includes Conservative nominee James Aylward, a former MLA and provincial cabinet minister; and former educator Lynn Thiele, who's running for the NDP. 

On Tuesday, the Green Party of Canada told CBC News that it has candidates for three of the four federal ridings on P.E.I. and intends to announce their names "later this week or at the beginning of next week."

The next federal election is supposed to be held on Oct. 20 under Canada's fixed election date system.

However, it is widely expected to be triggered this spring — by the minority Liberal government under new Prime Minister Mark Carney calling a snap general election, or by the opposition parties voting against a motion on a supply bill or a specific motion of no confidence.