New Liberal leader says she's 'laser-focused' on rebuilding the party in P.E.I.
CBC
Sharon Cameron says her focus is on rebuilding the Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island.
Cameron was officially crowned as leader on Saturday at the party's annual meeting and leadership convention at East Wiltshire School in Cornwall. She was the only candidate to come forward for the job.
"My focus right now, …is to focus on the districts, on our districts, on our party, I have to be laser-focused on that," Cameron told reporters following the convention.
"I think our party is going to offer a clearly articulated vision."
About 150 people attended the uncontested convention.
"I think 150 is 150 more than I would have had five months ago," she said.
Cameron is a former provincial deputy minister and a past CEO of the Workers Compensation Board.
Cameron said she realizes she has a lot of work to do.
The Liberals are currently the third party in the P.E.I. Legislature, with four MLAs. The Liberals were without a leader since Wade MacLauchlan stepped down in 2019. Sonny Gallant had been heading the party in the interim.
Officials also confirmed during the annual meeting the party is still more than $100,000 in debt from the last election.
"There is a plan in place to pay that off," she said.
The party has a difficult road ahead, but has a solid base and history on its side, according to UPEI Political Science Professor Don Desserud.
"To write them off now would be very naïve," said Desserud.
"The Liberals have a new leader who does not have a seat in the house. That's a disadvantage but it's also an advantage. The advantage is she can spend her time on building the party, finding candidates, and trying to raise some of that money back."
