CHARLOTTETOWN — Premier Robert Ghiz of Prince Edward Island says he plans to quit as premier, less than a year before the province’s next election is scheduled, and he is not ruling out a possible federal run.
Ghiz announced Thursday in Charlottetown that he will remain as premier until a Liberal leadership convention to be held in the new year.
He said he made his decision now because he wants to give his party enough time to prepare for the next election, which is set for October 2015.
“There’s always time for renewal,” said Ghiz, who first became premier at the age of 33 in 2007.
“I’m proud of our record but I’m also proud of the team that’s going to be here to continue on.”
He said he has no immediate future plans and wants to spend more time with his family. But when asked whether he is considering a future run federally, he did not rule out the possibility.
“I’m not going to rule it out for the future, but I’m looking forward to taking a break from public office,” Ghiz said as his party caucus stood behind him.
“As of now, I don’t have anything specific, but as you know I am a friend of Justin (Trudeau) and a fan of Justin and I guess we’ll wait and see.”
Ghiz, now 40, has been the leader of the P.E.I. Liberals for 12 years. He took the helm of the party when it was mired in debt and had only one member elected in the legislature.
He leaves with the provincial Liberals in solid command of the house, holding 23 of the 27 seats.