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P.E.I. throne speech focuses on strengthening economy in face of U.S. tariff threats

  • The Canadian Press

  • Canadian Press

  • March 25, 2025

The Prince Edward Island legislature in Charlottetown on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003. Prince Edward Island's throne speech focused on the economic uncertainty, rising costs, and trade instability caused by United States' threat of tariffs and the measures the government will undertake to combat these pressures. (CP PHOTO/Andrew Vaughan)

CHARLOTTETOWN -- Prince Edward Island's Progressive Conservative government has delivered a throne speech focused on the economic uncertainty, rising costs and trade instability caused by U.S tariff threats.

The government led by Premier Rob Lantz says in today's speech that the United States is threatening Canadian sovereignty and wreaking havoc on the economy, but it says Islanders will band together to surmount the challenge.

Lantz was sworn in on Feb. 21 as the province's 34th premier, taking over from Dennis King who resigned after leading the province since 2019.

King cited the threat of American tariffs and the resulting economic disruption as one reason for his resignation.

Lantz prorogued the legislative assembly from Feb. 25 to March 25, saying the month-long pause would give him time to prepare.

The throne speech read by Lt.-Gov. Wassim Salamoun says the government is working to reduce internal trade barriers to strengthen economic growth, with a focus on removing tolls for the Confederation Bridge and Wood Islands ferry to ease connections with mainland Canada.

This report by was first published March 25, 2025.