Dennis King resigns as P.E.I. premier after six years, interim leader announced

Dennis King says he will be stepping down as the 33rd premier of Prince Edward Island and leader of the province’s Progressive Conservative Party effective noon on Friday.

King made the announcement Thursday afternoon during a news conference at the Shaw South Public Administration Building in Charlottetown.

“Over the holidays I had a long conversation with my family and we came to the decision at that time that I wouldn’t reoffer in the next election,” King said. “I thought about when would be the best time to share that news and when would be the appropriate time to step aside. I struggled with it because in reality there is no perfect time.”

The PC caucus chose MLA Rob Lantz as the interim leader of the party, and by extension the 34th premier of the province.

King was elected premier of P.E.I. in 2019, ending 12 years of Liberal governance and forming the first minority government in the province’s history since 1890. His party’s re-election in 2023 saw them return to the Legislative Assembly with a commanding majority.

“I know this might be shocking news for some,” he said. “I do feel I’ve said I wouldn’t be a lifer in this job. It was best for me to hand the baton of leadership to someone else for the long term.

“I’m comforted by the strength and consistency of the caucus. It’s the best decision for the province.”

King, who was born in Georgetown, P.E.I., in 1971, studied journalism in Ontario before returning to his home province. He served as a reporter with Eastern Graphic and as an editor of Island Farmer and Atlantic Fish before working as director of communications for former Premier Pat Binns.

In his speech, King touted his government’s approach to health care, a student lunch program, transit, the economy and the 2023 Canada Games.

“I came into this job in 2019 and said I was going to do it differently,” he said. “I didn’t care about the colour of politics, I didn’t care about the partisanship of politics, I only cared about the people who called this province home.

“I stand here proudly to say politics in P.E.I. is the hallmark of goodness and decency in the Canadian landscape and a beacon of hope and kindness in a world that needs it now.”

King thanked his family, his caucus and the people of P.E.I. for their support for him in the last six years.

“It has been hard, it has been emotional, it has been challenging, but it has been the gift of the lifetime,” he said. “Thank you for your support. You gave me your trust and I gave you my very best.

“Thank you, P.E.I.”

New premier

Lantz, who was first elected to represent the Charlottetown-Brighton riding in 2023, has served as minister of Housing, Land and Communities, and minister of Education and Early Years.

Prior to entering provincial politics he served two terms on Charlottetown City Council.

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