In a recent cabinet shuffle led by Premier Rob Lantz on February 12, the executive director of the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance expressed surprise at the removal of the term “climate action” from the title of a provincial department. Previously known as the environment, energy, and climate action department, it was renamed to just land and environment under the new minister, Darlene Compton.
The decision to exclude climate action from the department’s title has raised concerns about the province’s commitment to addressing climate change. Heather Laiskonis, the executive director of the P.E.I. Watershed Alliance, emphasized the necessity of dedicated leadership in tackling climate change, stating that without a minister specifically leading the charge, coordinated efforts to combat climate change could be hindered.
Laiskonis highlighted the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on various industries in the province, such as fishing, aquaculture, forestry, tourism, and agriculture. She criticized the lack of consultation regarding the removal of the climate action portfolio, describing it as a significant and unexpected move.
Furthermore, Laiskonis questioned the effectiveness of dispersing climate action responsibilities across multiple departments without a central minister overseeing the efforts. She urged for tangible actions demonstrating how all departments are actively working towards addressing climate change.
The removal of the climate action title was not the only change in the recent cabinet shuffle. The department of fisheries, tourism, sport, and culture was restructured to include rural development, resulting in the elimination of both sport and culture from the departmental title.