This is PEI
News & Politics
About
Your home, in less than 20 minutes a week. Host Mitch Cormier brings you the stories The Island is buzzing about. Every Thursday.
Episodes
- P.E.I. doctors are sick of writing your sick notes
Summerside emergency room physician Dr. Kay Dingwell says she wants to spend her time treating patients — not writing sick notes to satisfy employers. Mitch explores why P.E.I. is behind the times on sick-note policies and asks a lawyer wh…
- Canada's physician recruiters have changed their pitch, here's how
Long before you see a family doctor, they've been seen by one of Canada's 200 physician recruiters. Mitch meets two to hear about how they work, and how their pitch is changing.
- On P.E.I., budget numbers are always wrong, so why deliver one?
The predicted deficit on P.E.I. was off by $265M this year. With math like that, Mitch asks two former finance ministers if delivering a budget is worth the effort.
- Yes, headlights are getting brighter.
The federal goverment is asking you if modern headlights are too bright. Drivers on P.E.I. says they are. So we're exploring what you can do about them.
- It's time for "the talk" about Roblox
P.E.I. rapper Monet is reliving the trauma he experienced playing games online, and asking parents to talk about the dangers of Roblox. Delaney Kelly explores how these games work and how to protect young Islanders.
- Slow commute? P.E.I.'s roads are trying to adjust
There are more drivers on P.E.I. than ever before, and that's not counting our tourists. Mitch learns how the highway system is changing to meet demand, and a new program to help communities plan streets.
- An Island cabinet minister's fall
Premier Rob Lantz was quick to fire cabinet minister Gilles Arsenault and suspend the MLA from the PC caucus. Wayne Thibodeau takes us through what happened, and what's next.
- Who really runs Health PEI?
Randy Goodman thought his health care experience would serve the Health PEI board of directors well. He quit after realizing the people who were supposed to be directing health care for Islanders are being ignored.
- A retired doctor says five things could heal P.E.I. health care
Dr. Henk Visser was a country doctor in central P.E.I. who spent years practicing in Africa. He was one the only physicians for millions of people there, and made it work. He says five things could help P.E.I.'s strained family physi…
- How CBC P.E.I. is getting Mi'kmaw words right
CBC's Ryan McKellop introduces us to a UPEI professor who's helping make sure CBC hosts and reporters are pronouncing common Mi'kmaw words correctly.
- Overworked, underappreciated, and a P.E.I. doc's decision to leave
Three P.E.I. family physicians have recently announced plans to stop practicing here. We hear from one who says the Department of Health and Wellness is making it impossible to provide family medicine.
- Lobster captain or cabinet minister: why one P.E.I. MLA may need to choose
Lobster Fisherman and MLA Sidney MacEwen has been appointed a minister in the new P.E.I. cabinet. And because of owner-operator rules, it's caused some rough waters between the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association and Premier Rob Lantz. We…
- Why predator Matthew Craswell wasn't caught sooner
Safety in schools is paramount, but it's being tested P.E.I. right now. Former substitute teacher Matthew Craswell has pleaded guilty to sexually touching students, but he was not caught by the school system. This week, we dig into the ind…
- You think you're busy? Meet this UPEI athlete
Grace McQuaid has worn the UPEI Panthers' jersey for three different sports: rugby, soccer, and now in her fourth year, track and field. But she says her real passion is community development: Grace helps run two different student societie…
- Is a community fridge in downtown Charlottetown's future?
Charlottetown's downtown community fridge was the first in the province when it opened to great fanfare in 2021 — but it closed three years later due to a zoning issue with the city. Reporter Tony Davis speaks to the fridge's founder and o…
- Fewer Islanders are voting in elections. What can be done?
Voter turnout is down on P.E.I., and it's getting harder to find candidates to run in municipal elections. On top of that, we've had a lot of elections lately. What does it all mean for the future of civic engagement? Reporter Cody MacKay…
- We still don't know how much diesel fuel spilled in the Charlottetown harbour
Two years later, there are still no clear answers about a diesel spill from the MV Ancier during refuelling. At the time, the Canadian Coast Guard said about 167 litres was unrecoverable — but it may have been more. CBC reporter Stacey Jan…
- "Slipping and sliding": fighting winter fires on P.E.I.
It's been a month of damaging and deadly fires on P.E.I. No matter the weather, the firefighters of the Island answer the call. We learn what it's like to fight fires in the coldest months of the year -- from frozen hoses to unplowed…
- P.E.I.’s new premier is getting to work — for a limited time
In December, Bloyce Thompson became premier of P.E.I., after Rob Lantz left the job after less than 10 months to run for the leadership of the provincial PC Party. One week into his tenure, Mitch spoke to Premier Thompson about how it’s go…
- P.E.I.’s two new opposition leaders look back and ahead
Mitch talks to P.E.I. Green Party leader Matt MacFarlane and P.E.I. Liberal Party leader Robert Mitchell about 2025 and what the new year could bring.
- P.E.I. Burger Love winner leaves it all on the grill on cooking show
From the best of This is P.E.I.: The Island’s reigning burger love winner took her creation to national TV last spring. Danielle Casario learned that making four burgers for TV was tougher than pumping out 300 a day at her restaurant — but…
- Lennox Island’s fight to keep the Mi’kmaq language alive
This year’s Christmas concert on P.E.I.’s Lennox Island First Nation included kids singing in Mi’kmaq. Delaney Kelly discovers it’s part of a multi-generational effort to keep the language thriving.
- Islanders are worried about democracy, should you be?
President Trump has many Canadians worried about the future of our country. Mitch meets two lawyers reminding us how to stay strong and free.
- Something in the water, P.E.I. communities fight forever chemicals
A number of Island residents are dealing with water contaminated with PFAS. Connor Lamont looks at how the province is working to make the drinking water safe.
- Does P.E.I. need temporary foreign workers? Industries say yes, but economist warns of consequences
Some sectors on P.E.I. rely significantly on temporary foreign workers, but an expert warns that growing dependence on the program could suppress wages and raise economic concerns. CBC P.E.I. web writer and reporter Thinh Nguyen has been d…
- Why this P.E.I. community is changing its name
The north shore community of Savage Harbour, P.E.I. is in the middle of changing its name, which was flagged as part of a national initiative to identify place names considered outdated or demeaning. The local Indigenous chief asked for th…
- This 14-year-old could be P.E.I.’s next professional golfer
Hunter Burke is quickly making a name for himself in the world of junior golf. All while living in a province with a 6-month golf season. Mitch finds out how the 14-year-old and his dad have teamed up to grow his skills.
- Dry P.E.I. summer leads to flood of irrigation requests
Many P.E.I. farmers are looking to irrigate more land after spending much of the summer under drought conditions. Mitch explores how the application process works and what rules protect your drinking water.
- These two Islanders will fix our doctor shortage (eventually)
Hailey Brake and Dan MacDonald are part of the first group of medical learners at UPEI’s new $90-million medical school. Mitch asks if learning at home was part of the decision.
- How AI could help local government
Summerside, P.E.I. is looking at how AI can be used at city hall. Its wrapping up its call for citizens to sit on a committee on the topic. Mitch speaks to councillor Nick Cameron about why they wanted to do this work.
- What’s new at UPEI, from the struggles of international students to new and growing programs
We visited the UPEI Campus in Charlottetown to talk to students and profs about what’s happening. Mitch speaks to international students Lian Camargo and Sushil Khatri, Indigenous Studies minor Grace McQuaid, dean of Indigenous Studies Ang…
- The P.E.I. connection between lobster and lemon meringue pies
After 50 years, Joan Blanchard is hanging up her whisk. She’s made thousands of mile-high lemon meringue pies for the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. We catch up with Joan and also hear from the co-owner of the lobster suppers about how the p…
- The farm is the lab: How PEI farmers and scientists are teaming up
P.E.I.’s Living Labs program gets researchers out onto farms to test out management practices and new technologies. As Mitch hears, the program is so successful, it’s become a model for other places.
- This P.E.I. family has 20 million YouTube followers. Here’s how they got there
This time around we meet the Santiago family from Summerside, who have hit the YouTube jackpot on their channel, Diary of 4.
- Island influencers: meet the people behind two of P.E.I.'s most popular accounts
This week Mitch chats with two digital creators learning the pleasure and pressure of being an online influencer.
- These teens have ideas about how AI can improve health care
A group of high school students went to a summer camp at UPEI to create the future of health care using artificial intelligence as the foundation. Mitch speaks to four of them about the ideas and models they came up with.
- Why this 92-year-old meat-cutter still works every day
For this butcher in Clyde River, work keeps him young … at heart. Mervin MacPhee is 92, and part of a fourth-generation abattoir. From custom work at the butcher block to making deliveries, he has no plans to slow down.
- Exploring Island history on foot: three P.E.I. walking tours
There is so much to see on P.E.I. in the summertime, and one of the best ways to do it is to take a walk. Mitch talks to three local guides who offer distinct walking tours that explore Island history.
- Why P.E.I. can’t stop after record housing starts
The Island’s building boom is easy to see. New projects are everywhere as housing starts hit a new high in the province last year. Thinh Nguyen tells Mitch why even more new homes will have to be built every year to keep housing affordable…
- How a love of Anne of Green Gables turned into an Order of Canada
The founder of P.E.I.’s L.M. Montgomery Institute has been named to the Order of Canada — an honour she says is for the entire team at the institute and the MacNeill family, Montgomery’s descendants.
- These DJs are bringing international beats to P.E.I.
P.E.I.’s DJ scene is expanding. Mitch speaks to two DJs, Javier Fernandez and Madhave, who moved here from other countries about the new sounds they brought with them.
- A teacher's dying wish: Pam’s playground
When Pam Kelly died of cancer in 2022, her obituary asked for donations to the playground fund at the school where she taught. Now, her dream is a reality. Mitch visits Pam’s playground to learn about the legacy of the teacher who began it…
- The enduring power of a red-headed orphan from P.E.I.
P.E.I. has long been a draw for fans of L.M. Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables. Now, online book influencers are bringing literary tours here — and Megan Follows, the actor who created an iconic version of Anne in the 1980s, is creating…
- How one P.E.I. community healed its doctor dilemma
Christmas cookies and fitness boot camps might just be the way to a health professional’s heart. Mitch learns how a tiny community in P.E.I. is leading the way in attracting health professionals to rural practice.
- Why a P.E.I. bistro is filling its fryers with beef tallow
Pedro’s Island Eatery in North Rustico is switching from seed oil to beef tallow because the owners says it tastes better and is healthier for his customers. Mitch speaks with him and a registered dietitian to break down the hype around se…
- Island in the Sun: Why P.E.I. needs a heat alert system
P.E.I.'s climate is getting hotter, and the provincial government is creating a new system to try to keep vulnerable Islanders cool and healthy in the face of climate change. Mitch speaks to the Island's Chief Public Health Officer and som…
- Living on the front lines of climate change
Life on P.E.I. means being acutely aware of the threat of a changing climate. These three Islanders are talking about responding to climate change at the Charlottetown Forum at the Confederation Centre. Mitch gets a preview of the conversa…
- Can we breed a new kind of oyster on P.E.I.?
Last summer, a parasite infecting P.E.I. oysters sent a chill through the industry. One hatchery claims it’s growing oyster seed resistant to the disease. But is it too good to be true? CBC reporter Nancy Russell visited the new hatchery.
- P.E.I. Burger Love winner leaves it all on the grill on cooking show
P.E.I.’s reigning burger love winner took her creation to national TV a few weeks ago. Danielle Casario learned that making four burgers for TV was tougher than pumping out 300 a day at her restaurant — but has no regrets about competing o…
- Can presumed consent improve organ donation?
P.E.I. is considering presumed consent for organ donation. Nova Scotia is the only province where everyone is considered an organ donor unless you opt-out. Mitch explores if education over legislation is a better way to have more Islanders…