Mr. Speaker, the federal NDP caucus is pleased to congratulate Dr. Herb Dickieson, the leader of the Prince Edward Island New Democrats. On Monday Dr. Herb became the first New Democrat to be elected in P.E.I. We are confident that his presence in the legislature will make a big difference for the people of P.E.I. I first met Dr. Dickieson when I spoke at his nomination meeting in 1995 and sensed at that time that he was going to make history for the NDP.
Atlantic Canadians have demonstrated they are sick of having their votes taken for granted by the Liberal Party as they receive bash after bash from Liberal policies. The federal Liberals will experience a similar fate in Atlantic Canada when the next federal election rolls around. Atlantic Canada is not a Liberal colony but a free and democratic region of Canada where real political choices are available and real political choices are embraced.
With Alexa McDonough as our leader, the choice for many Atlantic Canadians in the next federal election will be the NDP.