CHARLOTTETOWN — In a significant political move, Rob Lantz has announced his resignation as the Premier of Prince Edward Island as he transitions to seeking the permanent leadership of the province's Progressive Conservative Party. Lantz, who stepped into the role of interim leader in February following Dennis King’s resignation, has changed his earlier stance, indicating that he would now pursue the position of party leader.

Former Premier Dennis King, who led the province since 2019, stepped down citing personal reasons and the interests of his family along with the welfare of the people in the province. Lantz had previously served as education minister under King, which aligned him closely with the former premier’s policies and administration.

According to the constitution of the Progressive Conservative Party, an interim leader can stand for election as the party leader provided they resign within 10 days after a leadership convention has been called. Following this guideline, the party announced on Wednesday that it had scheduled a leadership convention for February 7, marking a pivotal moment for the party's future direction.

Initially, Lantz had declared he would not seek the party’s long-term leadership, but he has since reassessed his decision. He stated that his choice to pursue this leadership role was not made lightly and was influenced by listening to the constituents of Prince Edward Island. He expressed his belief that this leadership change is vital to ensure stability and strong guidance for the party, emphasizing the importance of unity and a clear vision for the province’s future.

The party’s president, Sydney Gallant, expressed confidence in the new interim leader, Bloyce Thompson, who has been appointed by the party's caucus and executive. Thompson has held the position of deputy premier since 2023 and is viewed as well-prepared to lead the party during this transitional phase until a permanent leader is selected at the upcoming convention.

Gallant praised Thompson’s capabilities, highlighting that he will be instrumental in providing stable leadership for the party at this critical time. The announcement comes as the Progressive Conservative Party faces important decisions ahead of the leadership convention.

This report marks a significant development in the political landscape of Prince Edward Island, underscoring the dynamic nature of party leadership and the implications for governance in the province.