2026 Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island leadership election

2026 Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island leadership election

←  2019 February 7, 2026

ML Candidate Rob Lantz Mark Ledwell

Incumbent Leader Bloyce Thompson (interim)

2026 Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island leadership election

Date	February 7, 2026
Convention	Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown
Resigning leader	Dennis King
Candidates	2
Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island leadership elections 1950 · 1957 · 1968 · 1973 · 1976 · 1981 · 1988 · 1990 · 1996 · 2010 · 2015 · 2017 · 2019 · 2026

The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island will elect a new leader as successor to Dennis King, on February 7, 2026. The election was triggered on February 20, 2025, after King announced his resignation as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Premier of Prince Edward Island, effective the following day. ^[1] The PC caucus selected Rob Lantz as Premier and interim leader, pending the election of his successor. ^{[2] [3]} In December 2025, Lantz resigned from both positions to seek the permanent leadership and was succeeded by Bloyce Thompson. ^[4]

Timeline

• February 20, 2025 – Progressive Conservative leader and Premier Dennis King announced his resignation (effective the following day), in a press conference. ^[1]
• February 21, 2025 – King resigns, Rob Lantz appointed interim leader and Premier until a successor is elected. ^[2]
• February 21, 2025 – MLA Cory Deagle announces his candidacy.
• May 22, 2025 – Lawyer Mark Ledwell announces his candidacy.
• October 10, 2025 – Deagle withdraws his candidacy.
• December 10, 2025 – Leadership election date set for February 7, 2026. ^[5]
• December 8, 2025 – Progressive Conservative candidate Brendan Curran defeated Liberal leader Robert Mitchell in the 2025 Georgetown-Pownal provincial by-election by a five-point margin, a substantially reduced margin from the 57-point margin outgoing MLA Steven Myers, a former minister and former interim party leader, secured in the 2023 provincial election. ^{[6] [7]}
• December 11, 2025 - PC interim leader and Premier, Rob Lantz, announces resignation from both positions in order to run for party leadership. ^[8]
• December 12, 2025 – Lantz's resignations take effect. Bloyce Thompson becomes premier and interim party leader.
• January 14, 2026 – First leadership forum, to take place at the Consolidated Credit Union Place in Summerside.
• January 16, 2026 – Last day to join the party to vote.
• January 22, 2026 – Second leadership forum, to take place at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre in Montague.
• February 2, 2026 – Third and final leadership forum, to take place at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown.
• February 7, 2026 – Leadership convention takes place at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. Final day to vote online or in-person.

Candidates

Approved

Rob Lantz

Rob Lantz is the MLA for Charlottetown-Brighton since 2023. He was the Minister of Housing, Land and Communities from 2023 to 2024 and the Minister of Education and Early Years from 2024 to 2025. He was previously elected party leader in 2015, resigning later that year. Following Dennis King's resignation, Lantz was named interim party leader and sworn in as Premier; he resigned from both positions to enter the leadership contest. ^[2] Declared December 11, 2025. ^[8]

Endorsements of Rob Lantz

Current caucus members: (8)

• Zack Bell - MLA for Charlottetown-Winsloe (since 2020); fisheries, tourism & culture minister (since 2024) ^[9]
• Darlene Compton - MLA for Belfast-Murray River (since 2015); economic development minister (since 2025); deputy premier and cabinet minister (2019–2023); Speaker (2023–2025) ^[9]
• Robin Croucher - MLA for Souris-Elmira (since 2023), education minister (since 2025) ^[9]
• Brendan Curran - MLA for Georgetown-Pownal (since 2025) ^[9]
• Cory Deagle - withdrawn contestant; MLA for Montague-Kilmuir (since 2019); housing & communities ministry (since 2025); cabinet minister (2022–2025) (resigned to launch leadership bid); ^[9]
• Mark McLane - MLA for Cornwall-Meadowbank (since 2021); health minister (since 2023); finance minister (2022–2023) ^[9]
• Barb Ramsay - MLA for Summerside-South Drive (since 2023); social development minister (since 2023) ^[9]
• Brad Trivers - MLA for Rustico-Emerald (since 2015); deputy speaker (since 2025); cabinet minister (2019–2022) ^[9]

Mark Ledwell

Mark Ledwell is a lawyer and former managing partner at Gowling WLG. ^[10] He has advised on issues related to finance, infrastructure, energy and agri-food. Declared May 22, 2025. ^[11]

Endorsements of Mark Ledwell

Former caucus members: (3)

• Pat Binns - Premier of Prince Edward Island (1996–2007); party leader (1996–2007); MLA / Aseemblyman (1978–1984 & 1996–2007); cabinet minister (1979–1984); MP for Cardigan 1984–1988 ^[12]
• Jamie Fox - MLA for Borden-Kinkora (2015–2023), interim party leader (2015–2017), fisheries and communities minister (2019–2023)
• Jamie Ballem - MLA for Stanhope-East Royalty (1996–2007); cabinet minister (2000–2007); runner up in the 2010 leadership contest

Other prominent individuals

• Jean Charest - Premier of Quebec (2003–2012), Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (1993), federal cabinet minister (1986–1990 & 1991–1993); leader of Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (1993–1998)

Withdrawn

Cory Deagle

Minister of Fisheries and Communities (2023–2025), MLA for Montague-Kilmuir (2019–present).
Declared February 26, 2025. ^[13] Withdrew October 10, 2025. ^[14]

Endorsements of Cory Deagle

Current caucus members: (3)

• Zack Bell - MLA for Charlottetown-Winsloe (since 2020); subsequently supported Lantz
• Brad Trivers - MLA for Rustico-Emerald (since 2015); subsequently supported Lantz
• Tyler DesRoches - MLA for Summerside-Wilmot (since 2023)

Former caucus members: (1)

• Steven Myers, MLA for Georgetown-Pownal/Georgetown-St. Peters (2011–2025); interim party leader (2013), Leader of the Opposition (2013–2015); cabinet minister (2019–2025) ^[15]

References

1. Mott, Sean (February 20, 2025). "'Thank you, P.E.I.': Premier Dennis King resigns after six years". CTV News . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
2. Brun, Stephen; Goodsell, Devon (February 21, 2025). "Rob Lantz sworn in as new P.E.I. premier, 1 day after King's surprise resignation". CBC News . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
3. STATEMENT FROM PC PARTY PRESIDENT SYDNEY GALLANT
4. Devries, Marilee (December 12, 2025). "Bloyce Thompson sworn in as new P.E.I. premier, 1 day after Rob Lantz's resignation". CBC News . Retrieved December 12, 2025.
5. Nguyen, Thinh (December 10, 2025). "P.E.I. PC Party sets leadership convention date for Feb. 7". CBC News . Retrieved December 10, 2025.
6. "DISTRICT 2 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS | Elections PEI". www.electionspei.ca. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
7. Banfield, Jenna (December 8, 2025). "Progressive Conservative Brendan Curran wins byelection in P.E.I.'s District 2". CBC News.
8. Devries, Marilee; Nguyen, Thinh (December 11, 2025). "Rob Lantz resigns as P.E.I. premier to run for provincial PC Party's permanent leadership". CBC News . Retrieved December 11, 2025.
9. Neatby, Stu (December 11, 2025). "Rob Lantz to resign as P.E.I. premier, enters PC leadership race". The Guardian in Prince Edward Island.
10. Neatby, Stu (May 28, 2025). "Stratford lawyer Mark Ledwell the second to announce a run for PC leadership". The Guardian . Retrieved December 16, 2025.
11. Nguyen, Thinh (May 22, 2025). "Mark Ledwell announces bid for P.E.I. Progressive Conservative leadership". CBC News . Retrieved May 22, 2025.
12. Neatby, Stu (September 4, 2025). "IN BRIEF: P.E.I. Greens name new president, Liberal membership grows by 1,000, former premier endorses PC candidate". The Guardian. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
13. Ryan, Carolyn (February 26, 2025). "Cory Deagle quits P.E.I. cabinet to become 1st candidate for Progressive Conservative leadership". CBC News . Retrieved March 3, 2025.
14. Banfield, Jenna (October 10, 2025). "Cory Deagle ends bid for P.E.I. PC leadership, returns to provincial cabinet as housing minister". CBC News . Retrieved October 11, 2025.
15. Neatby, Stu (May 28, 2025). "Stratford lawyer Mark Ledwell the second to announce a run for PC leadership". The Guardian. Retrieved September 4, 2025.