The provincial government says funding is available to create new early years spaces.

It says current designated and probationary early years centres can apply for one-time funding up to 35-thousand dollars.

Funding through the grant will allow centres to purchase items such as sensory equipment and educational technology that enhance inclusive early years education programming.

Applications for the Inclusive Equipment and Materials Grant and the Non-Profit Organization startup Grant will be accepted until March 7th and October 31st respectively. 

Road builders on P.E.I. are urging the federal government to keep infrastructure cash flowing into the province as a deal to fund major road projects approaches its end date.

Anticipation, and perhaps some skepticism, are building among residents in Borden-Carleton as they wait to find out what the fate of the former Confederation Bridge fabrication yard might be. 

Well last night was Taco Tuesday at the Tremere’s!

PEI WEATHER

Cloudy. Chance of flurries or rain showers late this afternoon. High plus 4 with temperature falling to zero this afternoon
Tonight A few flurries ending late this evening then clearing. -7
Thursday Sunny. Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon then snow. High plus 2

If bullies actually believe that somebody loves them and believes in them, they will love themselves, they will become better people, and many will even become saviors to the bullied. ― Dan Pearce

In the past year alone, there have been several incidents of violence in Island health-care settings that left workers concerned for their safety. CBC's Sheehan Desjardins speaks to Lara MacMurdo, Health P.E.I.'s director of occupational health, safety and wellness, about a new campaign that's aimed at stopping the attacks.

Many Islanders have taken to social media of late to raise questions about inexplicably high power bills, and to try and find some solutions.

Charlottetown residents will have a new candidate to consider in the next federal election after the People’s Party of Canada introduced Bob Lucas as its representative for the riding.

Prince Edward Island’s new premier is promising stability during the transition period and assuring Islanders that government work will continue uninterrupted as the province navigates key challenges.

Island athletes and Summerside staff are hoping the city’s sports dome can reopen sooner rather than later after a technical mishap last week caused some damage and forced the facility’s shutdown.

The doors were opened at Sherwood Elementary School to let former students, staff and community members to relive fond memories and say goodbye to the old building. The newly constructed replacement school will see students move into the new space after the upcoming provincial school March break.

A 27-year old Prince County man was arrested Saturday night for impaired driving and flight from police after a series of events Saturday night.  Shortly after 9:30pm, Prince District RCMP responded to a call about a speeding vehicle dangerously passing other vehicles. The vehicle was located by both the RCMP and Summerside Police, but the RCMP says that both times the driver fled posing a risk to public safety.  Less than an hour later, RCMP responded to a single-vehicle rollover in North St. Eleanor’s involving a vehicle matching the description of the one speeding earlier.  The man, who did not suffer any serious injuries in the crash, was arrested at the scene and the investigation is continuing.

PEI Mi’kmaq have reached an historic milestone with a proposed settlement of the Hog Island Specific Claim.  “Specific claims” are claims made by a First Nation against the federal government which relate to the administration of land and other First Nation assets and to the fulfilment of historic treaties and other agreements. The Hog Island Claim arose from a purchase of lands in 1942 by Canada for the purpose of adding the lands to the Lennox Island Band reserve. Canada failed to do so, and the specific claim was filed as a result.  The Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations communities have accepted a $17.5-million settlement offer from the federal government.  It must be successfully ratified by a community vote, but a date for the vote has not yet been set. 

Foreign workers on PEI will soon benefit from the first phase of the province’s Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act.  It goes into effect on April 1st and is aimed at enhancing workers’ rights while ensuring fair treatment on the job.  Some of the key changes coming into effect include a licensed requirement for those recruiting foreign workers.  The Act was passed in the P-E-I legislature in the spring of 2022

Former Green Party MLA Hannah Bell has announced her candidacy for the Party’s leadership. Bell was first elected as the MLA for District 11: Charlottetown-Parkdale in a by-election in November 2017, and re-elected for District 11: Charlottetown-Belvedere in April 2019.   Bell announced her leadership candidacy on social media Monday, saying she’d submitted the required application and materials.   Bell joins Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane in the Green Party leadership race. Nominations for the Leadership close on March 1st and the Green Party of PEI holds its leadership convention on June 7th.

Donald Trump says he’ll impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods next week.  The U-S president’s plans of 25 per cent tariffs on most imports from Canada, with a 10 per cent levy on energy was delayed until March 4th.  Trump granted a month-long pause saying he’d work on an economic deal with Canada in the meantime.  Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada was the only country to explicitly say what it would do to counter American tariffs.  Trump initially said the tariffs were in response to Canada’s failure to secure the U-S border. 

Veterinarians on Prince Edward Island who have been monitoring the spread of avian influenza for years are encouraged by the federal government’s move to vaccinate people who are most at risk. 

Two experts from Cowley Abbott are travelling through the Maritimes to help people learn more about their paintings and other works of art. The goal: to help distinguish the gems from the more common pieces.

A Summerside area developer is facing a number of criminal charges, including threatening to kill provincial government employees.

After nearly 30 years, the Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations have reached a historic milestone in resolving a specific land claim for Hog Island, an island off the North Shore of Prince Edward Island.

Malpeque MP Heath MacDonald recently took P.E.I.’s concerns to U.S. politicians as Donald Trump’s tariff threats loom.

Former Green Party MLA Hannah Bell hopes to re-enter politics by seeking the nomination for the leader of the Green Party of P.E.I.

Darcy’s A.I. Creation of the day:

PEI WEATHER

TEXT YOUR ANSWER TO 902-368-1720

The Chambers of Commerce across PEI are joining forces to launch a province-wide Shop Local campaign to encourage Islanders to support local businesses and recognize the critical role all Islanders play in sustaining the Island’s economy.  The campaign’s key objectives include increasing local spending to keep more money circulating within the Island economy, shifting consumer habits away from international spending and toward local businesses, and supporting local jobs by reinforcing the importance of mindful patronage. 

People gathered for rallies across Canada’s largest cities on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The gatherings were held at city halls, museums and community centres across the country to mark a global day of action as the war enters its fourth year.

Here in Charlottetown, dozens outside Charlottetown city hall on Sunday to mark the anniversary.  A ceremony was held during which the Ukrainian flag was raised and a moment of silence held.  A march was then held down Queen Street. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Kyiv today as one of 13 foreign leaders attending a summit on peace and security for Ukraine.  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed during a news conference in Kyiv Sunday evening that he will meet with Trudeau in person. 

Canadian Blood Services needs about 450 new donors per day across the country to meet the demand for blood. Currently, they’re only seeing around 230. 

As 8-year-old Maverick Bishop waits in Toronto with his mom and baby sister for a donor heart to become available, the P.E.I. family is calling on the provincial government to change the rules on organ donations. Right now, you have to be 16 or older to sign up to donate organs if something should happen to you. Maverick's family wants to see that age drop. CBC's Laura Meader has the story.

More than 100 people gathered outside Charlottetown city hall on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Pope Francis  remains hospitalized in Rome in critical condition with a complex lung infection.

The Vatican has reported that he’s conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen today following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions.

Pope Francis was able to rest overnight.  A more detailed medical update is expected later today.

A drug bust in Charlottetown.  At about 11:45 pm last Friday, Charlottetown Police officers out on patrol came across a vehicle on Belvedere Avenue that appeared to have mechanical issues and was blocking one lane of traffic.  As police got closer to the vehicle, two people ran off on foot and two others remained by the vehicle.  An officer was able to catch up with the man and woman that had fled the area.  The Officer recognized the woman and knew that she had an active arrest warrant, and she was arrested.  During the arrest, Police located over 16 grams of Fentanyl.  A 27 year old woman has been charged with Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking.  She has been remanded in custody until her next court appearance on February 24th.

Several Island businesses and organizations are receiving federal support for upgrades, planning and programming. Close to two and a half million dollars will be used for eight projects that will advance PEI’s tourism sector and provide support for small business development.

TIAPEI, Meetings and Conventions PEI, the PEI Business Women’s Association and LearnSphere Canada are getting help with programming and marketing. Key infrastructure upgrades for the historic Rodd Charlottetown property and the Port of Charlottetown are aimed at improving experiences for more visitors and the popular Anne of Green Gables Chocolates Inc will use funding to help modernize processes to keep up with demand.

A national call is being issued by Nova Scotia’s premier to reduce the interprovincial trade barriers and get business flowing between provinces and territories.  The call by Tim Houston to reduce the red tape for cross-country trade was welcomed by a number of business sectors in his province, while a new poll suggests the public broadly supports the idea across Atlantic Canada.  Houston announced that the Nova Scotia government will table a bill that would allow Canadian goods and services to be sold in his province without the need for further testing or red tape.

Ellyn Young is urging people to regularly check their dryer vents for blockages from lint, snow and ice after a fire at her Charlottetown home was linked to an obstructed vent.

The Black community on Prince Edward Island is ensuring its written history is preserved in every way it can, whether that's through poetry, song or children's books — and everything in between.

We all vote for different reasons. We want to hear yours. Apply here to share why you feel so passionately about that issue on CBC P.E.I.

The Prince District Joint Forces Operations Unit executed a search warrant on Thursday, leading to the arrest of two people, and the seizure of drugs and weapons.

Police searched a home in Summerside and arrested a 50- year-old Summerside man and a 36-year-old Summerside man.   Officers also seized cash; 249 grams of cocaine; 920 grams of crystal meth; 438 Ice/speed pills; 874 Hydromorphone pills; 58 unidentified pills; as well as scales, baggies, and a replica handgun.  The PEI Joint Forces Operations Unit includes officers from Prince District RCMP, Summerside and Kensington Police Services.

Islanders hungry for a taste of nostalgia have been excited to sink their teeth into two modern takes on the hamburger from the iconic Peter Pan takeout in Charlottetown, which closed more than a decade ago.

A new five-year plan for Victoria shows exactly where the small central P.E.I. municipality needs to grow in order to survive.

Two premiers in two days, and there's a lot on the provincial government's plate under P.E.I.'s new leader, Rob Lantz. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin speaks with Sally Pitt and Paul MacNeill about the week that was — and the issues on the horizon.

P.E.I.'s 34th premier was sworn into office Friday afternoon, less than 24 after Dennis King announced his resignation from the job. Newly minted Premier Rob Lantz talks with provincial affairs reporter Kerry Campbell about how it feels to step into the province's top job and the challenges that await.

In the space of less than 24 hours, Dennis King stepped down as Prince Edward Island's premier and Rob Lantz was sworn in as his successor. So, what happens now? 

As Prince Edward Island transitions to new political leadership, representatives from different sectors say they hope Premier Rob Lantz will build on the positive relationships his predecessor established.

New PEI Premier has announced that the Legislature is to be prorogued.  Lantz issued a statement late Friday afternoon saying that after he was sworn-in as Premier, the provincial Cabinet met and passed a resolution to prorogue the Legislature Assembly and reconvene on March 25th, with a Speech from the Throne delivered by Lieutenant Governor Wassim Salamoun.  Premier Lantz says the Speech from the Throne will set out the priorities of his government in the face of tariffs and uncertain economic times.

P.E.I. snow crab fishers are facing a big cut in how much they can catch in 2025. The federal department of fisheries is recommending a 33 percent reduction in the quota in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. The number is based on concerns about the stocks, and comes as the threat of a U.S. tariff looms over the industry.

Two people have been arrested after police seized a significant amount of drugs along with a replica handgun during a bust in Summerside on Thursday.

Longtime Progressive Conservative politician Rob Lantz will be sworn in as Prince Edward Island's 34th premier on Friday afternoon following Dennis King's resignation. CBC News will carry the ceremony live.

A number of groups are urging political leaders — and Liberal leadership hopefuls — to make a basic income guarantee a priority.

Rob Lantz will be sworn-in as the 34th Premier of Prince Edward Island Friday.  A ceremony will be held Friday afternoon at Fanningbank, the official residence of Lieutenant Governor Wassim Salamoun.  Lantz, the MLA for District 13 Charlottetown – Brighton, was unanimously endorsed Thursday by the Progressive Conservative Caucus to be the Interim Leader of the PEI PC Party, and that recommendation was then endorsed by the P-C Executive to have Rob Lantz be the Party’s Interim Leader and the Premier of the Province.  Lantz was elected as the MLA for District 13 Charlottetown-Brighton in April 2023.   Most recently he has been serving in Cabinet as Minister of Education and Early Years, and had previously served as the Minister of Housing, Land and Communities.

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission has approved the status quo with no change this week in the prices of gasoline, furnace oil, and diesel prices. Including taxes, pump prices for regular self-serve gasoline remain in the range of 170.4 to 171.6 cents per litre.  Prices for diesel are between 200.8 and 201.9 cents per litre.  The maximum price for furnace oil is 142.5 cents per litre.  Propane prices increased by between 0.5 and 1.6 cents per litre to now sit between 97.6 and 99.0 cents per litre.

Darcy’s A.I. Creation of the day:

Ok let’s get back to gettin’ along now….

PEI WEATHER

TODAY: Cloudy. Wind NW gusting 50. High -5°

TONIGHT: Clearing this evening. NW gusting 50. Low -10°

TOMORROW: Sun and cloud. High -6°

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When the time comes for people to look back and study the political yesterdays of P.E.I. Premier Dennis King, history will give a favourable review, says UPEI political scientist Don Desserud.