Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.
Prince Edward Island has edged closer to a single-party legislature with the resignation of one of the three Progressive Conservatives.
Mike Currie stepped down Monday to run federally in the PEI riding of Cardigan. This sets up what promises to be a bruising race with long-time Liberal Lawrence MacAulay, who has been firmly ensconced for 23 years, never winning less than 45 per cent of the vote. The two veteran politicians are known to be scrappers and the campaign will be entertaining, though the seat is thought unlikely to change hands.
The departure leaves Opposition Leader Olive Crane with just one fellow Tory in her caucus. She spoke confidently about their ability to challenge Premier Robert Ghiz's Liberal government - offering a Trudeau-esque "just watch us" - but the party clearly is in dire straits.
The most recent poll, by Halifax-based Corporate Research Associates, showed the Ghiz Liberals supported by 62 per cent. The Tories garnered the backing of only 25 per cent.
Ms. Crane's sole caucus colleague, Jim Bagnall, this week declined to say whether he would run again in the provincial election, fixed for this fall. Neither of the Tory seats can be considered a guaranteed victory.
A sweep in PEI giving the Liberals all 27 seats in the legislature would be remarkable. But lopsided majorities are increasingly the norm. Twice in the last two decades has the government taken all but one seat.
Mr. Ghiz swept to power in 2007 with a huge majority. His party has stayed popular, with the Opposition unable to capitalize on prolonged media exposure of a botched immigrant-investor program marked by mismanagement and insider benefit.
The recent poll also showed that 45 per cent of respondents were undecided or unwilling to answer. The Tories may hope to make inroads in that substantial group. But there is increasing speculation on the island that the party will suffer a crashing defeat, allowing a rebuilding under a new leader.