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Jeers to P.E.I.’s inability to keep health professionals and experts working in this province. There is clearly something broken within government and Health P.E.I. that has caused Health P.E.I. board members to quit, doctors to close their practices and, in the latest announcement, the CEO of the health authority to resign. Michael Gardam told SaltWire he will be stepping down as CEO of Health P.E.I. on March 29, saying the work he and his colleagues did to keep the Island safe and the health system running during the pandemic has tired him out. An outspoken critic of how politics interferes with the health authority, Gardam says not much of that has changed since he moved to P.E.I. in late 2020. He has a little under eight more months as CEO; let’s hope the government really listens to his advice and improvements are made before he hands off his file.

Cheers to the organizers of this year’s Emancipation Day celebration in Charlottetown. The Aug. 1 event was held to mark the abolition of slavery across the British Empire 189 years ago. While the U.S. is often the focus of discussions about slavery, the British Empire had its own history that many people may not be aware of — including in P.E.I. Emancipation Day and events like the one held recently help remind Canadians of that history, which should never be forgotten. P.E.I. has a growing population that is much more diverse than it used to be. Events like the Emancipation Day celebration are also important to help acknowledge and celebrate the diversity that has become an integral part of the Island community.

Cheers to P.E.I.’s Corena Hughes, who is headed to the Ironman women’s world championships in Kona, Hawaii, in October. Hughes qualified for the international race in July, despite having taken six weeks off from training to spend time with her father. Paul Hughes was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early May and, before he died in late June, he told his daughter she shouldn’t be taking time away from her athletics. Hughes told Saltwire, “I was like, ‘Dad, I can ride my bike the rest of my life.’” Best wishes to Hughes as she turns her attention to preparing for her first-ever world triathlon event.

Cheers to Charlottetown council for allowing an electric bike company to set up shop in a parking space in the city’s downtown. Council voted to give Rising Tide Electric Bicycles a one-year permit to keep its bikes in a parking space on Queen Street. Although concerns were raised during the recent council meeting, including the loss of more downtown parking, the city is right to encourage alternatives to people driving. One space, for now, won’t make a huge difference and if there are further requests the city can deal with them as they arise.

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