Published Apr 29, 2025 • 3 minute readCardigan Liberal candidate Kent MacDonald, right, breathes a sigh of relief as the news channel they’re watching calls the riding for the Liberals during a family gathering in Brudenell. MacDonald is the only non-incumbent Liberal candidate in P.E.I. Photo by Stu Neatby /The GuardianCardigan dairy farmer Kent MacDonald will be P.E.I.’s newest member of Parliament.The Liberal candidate won his seat in Cardigan on election night with a 56.6 per cent of the reported vote share as of 11:51 P.M. Atlantic Time. While not the final tally, this would appear to put MacDonald’s vote share this election ahead of that of Lawrence MacAulay – the 36-year outgoing Liberal MP for the riding – in the 2021 election.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentMacAulay announced in March he would not be seeking re-election.Read More RECAP: P.E.I. votes in the 2025 federal election – Liberals projected to form government P.E.I. elects four Liberal MPs after federal election MacDonald spent much of the evening at a gathering of friends and family in Brudenell. The first-time MP admitted to some election night jitters as the results trickled in, but he appeared to relax as the early results showed him with a clear lead over Conservative candidate James Aylward.“I come from a big family and a lot of extended family. So they all volunteered and helped out – in particular Saturdays,” MacDonald told The Guardian at an election night event at Bogside Brewery in Montague. Cardigan Liberal Candidate Kent MacDonald watches with his son Alex as the 2025 federal election results start coming in. Photo by Stu Neatby /The GuardianMacDonald is the current president of Pond’s Edge Farm, a dairy and beef operation he runs with his brothers, nephew and son.Article contentHis mother, Rose Marie MacDonald, had a political background as well. She represented 5th Kings and Georgetown-Baldwin’s Road in the P.E.I. legislature from 1988-1996.MacDonald said many voters in the district gravitated to the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney.He also said he felt strongly about the need to protect Canada’s supply managed dairy sector in the face of trade threats from the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has specifically singled out Canada’s dairy sector as an irritant.“I feel really motivated on that issue. Because it’s my industry and I take it personal,” MacDonald said.“I know when I travelled around the district and spoke to dairy farmers, they definitely wanted one of their own representing them.”Article contentWhen asked why supply management was important, MacDonald said it was a system that gives Canadians “a reasonably priced product” while allowing farmers to make a decent living.“It’s all about food sovereignty. So if we’re going to be sovereign as a nation we also have food sovereignty,” MacDonald said.MacDonald became the Liberal candidate months after former P.E.I. Progressive Conservative leader James Aylward began campaigning in the district for the federal Conservatives. James Aylward, Conservative candidate in Cardigan, says he will continue to push his opponent to work on issues important to Islanders. Logan MacLean Logan MacLeanAylward held his election night party at Lone Oak Fox Meadow in Stratford, where about 50 people were in attendance for his concession speech.Aylward called his opponent after learning the results.“We’ve agreed to get together for a coffee here in the next week or so, just to talk about how we can work together still to make things better,” Aylward said.Article contentThroughout the campaign, Aylward heard about concerns around farming and the potato industry, along with the reliability of the Wood Islands ferry. These are issues the Liberals have failed to support, he said.In the end, he doesn’t view the result as a failure, he said.“It’s not done. We’re not done. We still have a government that we need to hold accountable,” Aylward said.MacDonald confirmed the Wood Islands ferry service was an issue on the minds of many Cardigan voters.The Liberals have pledged to cut in half the cost of ferry fares, while also reducing the cost of travel on the Confederation Bridge from $50 to $20.MacDonald said he believes the cost of the ferry service should be reduced further from the incoming government.“I’m going to stand up for the ferry service. And I said earlier, I’ll be pushing for, probably down the road, a total removal of tolls and fees at the ferry,” MacDonald said.“I believe if we have inter-provincial trade and that service is part of the TransCanada Highway, then Islanders shouldn’t have to pay more than any other area in Canada.”Article content
Cardigan voters send dairy farmer and MacAulay successor Kent MacDonald to Ottawa
