Published Jun 07, 2025 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute readGreen MLA Matt MacFarlane reacts after winning a leadership vote of the Green Party of P.E.I. MacFarlane won the contest handily, taking more than 75 per cent of votes cast. Stu Neatby The GuardianThe Green Party of P.E.I. has selected Matt MacFarlane as its new permanent leader.The MLA for Borden-Kinkora took more than 75 per cent of the 654 ballots cast, besting former Charlottetown-Belvedere MLA Hannah Bell.MacFarlane took the stage to applause from about 125 party supporters at the party’s leadership convention at Bluefield High School on June 7.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 contentRead More Green Party of P.E.I. holds leadership debate in Charlottetown Peter Bevan-Baker steps down as P.E.I. Green leader as members debate party’s future Prior to Saturday, all three main political parties were helmed by interim leaders. Both leaders of the Liberals and Greens stepped down after the 2023 election, while the PC’s have been led on an interim basis by Rob Lantz after the resignation of Dennis King.In his speech to party members, MacFarlane was clear that he believes his party is well on its way to a comeback. But he also said he was humbled by the win. The Green Party of P.E.I. has selected Matt MacFarlane as its new permanent leader. Photo by Stu Neatby /The Guardian“I understand the gravity of the position we are in right now. And I’m speaking so much as a party, I’m speaking as a province that requires desperate change soon,” MacFarlane said.He said many Islanders want a change from P.E.I.’s two-party history. He said the Green party must be the voice of Islanders who want “progressive solutions.”Article content“Let’s remind Islanders, finally… that there is a party out there, after 152 years of other parties – our party, our 20-year old Green party – that is, in the next election, going to form the government of this province, and make this province the envy of our entire country,” MacFarlane told the crowd. P.E.I. Green party leadership candidate Hannah Bell emphasized the need for organizational renewal of the party, as well as the need to reconnect with the grassroots. Stu Neatby The GuardianMacFarlane will take over from current interim leader Karla Bernard and will succeed former leader Peter Bevan-Baker, who led the party to its best-ever result of electing eight members in the 2019 election. Bevan-Baker stepped down following the 2023 election, after the Green caucus was reduced to two members.MacFarlane’s byelection win in 2024 brought the Green caucus to three.During the leadership race, MacFarlane had emphasized his own political and community organizing successes. In a speech on June 7, he spoke of his experience, as a member of South Shore Health and Wellness Inc., in ensuring rural south shore residents had access to primary care. The community managed to secure a replacement doctor, as well as a collaborative clinic with several other health professionals, after the retirement of a longtime doctor in the community, despite initial opposition from Health P.E.I.Article content“We were told that it couldn’t be done. But together, we got it done,” MacFarlane said.Similarly, he said people had told him it was not possible for a Green MLA to be elected in Borden-Kinkora, a rural riding. MacFarlane would go on to win a byelection in the district after having run twice before in the same district.In her leadership campaign, Hannah Bell had also emphasized her professional experience and experience as an MLA. But she also emphasized the need to rebuild the party as a movement that was more engaged with its grassroots base.Specifically, Bell said the party needed a party executive that is “engaged with, and informed by members”“Because, remember, the party belongs to the members. It belongs to you. You are the power in the party. You are the ones who get to decide who serves on councils, who serves on committees,” Bell said in a speech before the votes were counted.Bell also said she planned to run for the Green nomination in the upcoming Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park byelection.Elections P.E.I. says Charlottetown-Hillsborough byelection, along with that of Dennis King’s former district, Brackley-Hunter River, must be called by August at the latest.Stu Neatby is a political reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at sneatby@postmedia.com and followed on X @stu_neatby.Article content
P.E.I. Greens elect Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane as new leader
