This is PEI

In December, Bloyce Thompson became premier of P.E.I., after Rob Lantz left the job after less than 10 months to run for the leadership of the provincial PC Party. One week into his tenure, Mitch spoke to Premier Thompson about how it’s going so far.

Mitch talks to P.E.I. Green Party leader Matt MacFarlane and P.E.I. Liberal Party leader Robert Mitchell about 2025 and what the new year could bring.

From the best of This is P.E.I.: The Island’s reigning burger love winner took her creation to national TV last spring. Danielle Casario learned that making four burgers for TV was tougher than pumping out 300 a day at her restaurant — but has no regrets about competing on the show. Thanks to Flavour Network for the use of audio in this episode. (Originally published May 8, 2025)

This year’s Christmas concert on P.E.I.’s Lennox Island First Nation included kids singing in Mi’kmaq. Delaney Kelly discovers it’s part of a multi-generational effort to keep the language thriving. 

President Trump has many Canadians worried about the future of our country.  Mitch meets two lawyers reminding us how to stay strong and free.

A number of Island residents are dealing with water contaminated with PFAS. Connor Lamont looks at how the province is working to make the drinking water safe.

Some sectors on P.E.I. rely significantly on temporary foreign workers, but an expert warns that growing dependence on the program could suppress wages and raise economic concerns. CBC P.E.I. web writer and reporter Thinh Nguyen has been digging into this and joins Mitch with the story.

The north shore community of Savage Harbour, P.E.I. is in the middle of changing its name, which was flagged as part of a national initiative to identify place names considered outdated or demeaning. The local Indigenous chief asked for the change in 2022, and after community consultation, residents have narrowed the options down to five possible names. We hear about how the process is going and w...

Hunter Burke is quickly making a name for himself in the world of junior golf. All while living in a province with a 6-month golf season. Mitch finds out how the 14-year-old and his dad have teamed up to grow his skills.

Many P.E.I. farmers are looking to irrigate more land after spending much of the summer under drought conditions. Mitch explores how the application process works and what rules protect your drinking water.

Hailey Brake and Dan MacDonald are part of the first group of medical learners at UPEI’s new $90-million medical school. Mitch asks if learning at home was part of the decision.

Summerside, P.E.I. is looking at how AI can be used at city hall. Its wrapping up its call for citizens to sit on a committee on the topic. Mitch speaks to councillor Nick Cameron about why they wanted to do this work.

We visited the UPEI Campus in Charlottetown to talk to students and profs about what’s happening. Mitch speaks to international students Lian Camargo and Sushil Khatri, Indigenous Studies minor Grace McQuaid, dean of Indigenous Studies Angelina Weenie and instructor David Varis, and three people involved in the Clinical Simulation and Learning Centre at the new medical school.

After 50 years, Joan Blanchard is hanging up her whisk. She’s made thousands of mile-high lemon meringue pies for the New Glasgow Lobster Suppers. We catch up with Joan and also hear from the co-owner of the lobster suppers about how the pies gained such notoriety.  

P.E.I.’s Living Labs program gets researchers out onto farms to test out management practices and new technologies. As Mitch hears, the program is so successful, it’s become a model for other places.

This time around we meet the Santiago family from Summerside, who have hit the YouTube jackpot on their channel, Diary of 4.

This week Mitch chats with two digital creators learning the pleasure and pressure of being an online influencer.

A group of high school students went to a summer camp at UPEI to create the future of health care using artificial intelligence as the foundation. Mitch speaks to four of them about the ideas and models they came up with.

For this butcher in Clyde River, work keeps him young … at heart. Mervin MacPhee is 92, and part of a fourth-generation abattoir. From custom work at the butcher block to making deliveries, he has no plans to slow down.

There is so much to see on P.E.I. in the summertime, and one of the best ways to do it is to take a walk. Mitch talks to three local guides who offer distinct walking tours that explore Island history.  

The Island’s building boom is easy to see. New projects are everywhere as housing starts hit a new high in the province last year. Thinh Nguyen tells Mitch why even more new homes will have to be built every year to keep housing affordable. 

The founder of P.E.I.’s L.M. Montgomery Institute has been named to the Order of Canada — an honour she says is for the entire team at the institute and the MacNeill family, Montgomery’s descendants. 

P.E.I.’s DJ scene is expanding. Mitch speaks to two DJs, Javier Fernandez and Madhave, who moved here from other countries about the new sounds they brought with them.

When Pam Kelly died of cancer in 2022, her obituary asked for donations to the playground fund at the school where she taught. Now, her dream is a reality. Mitch visits Pam’s playground to learn about the legacy of the teacher who began it all. 

P.E.I. has long been a draw for fans of L.M. Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables. Now, online book influencers are bringing literary tours here — and Megan Follows, the actor who created an iconic version of Anne in the 1980s, is creating a documentary about the famous character.