What do you think of this plan? Will this solve the many problems with how IRAC manages Lands Protection in PEI?
PREMIER ORDERS REVIEW OF IRAC
Study will have powers under Public Inquiries Act with report by Nov. 1
16 May 2026STU NEATBY
STU NEATBY
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz has called an independent review into the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission. The review will have powers under the province’s Public Inquiries Act
Premier Rob Lantz has followed through on a pledge from his Progressive Conservative leadership campaign to order an independent review of the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC).
Lantz announced the review, which will have the powers of an inquiry under the province’s Public Inquiries Act, in the legislature on Thursday.
Lantz named Rory Francis, who previously served as CEO of the P.E.I. BioAlliance for 20 years, to lead the review.
“As Prince Edward Island continues to grow and change, it’s important that our public institutions evolve alongside it. This review will examine IRAC’s role, structure and responsibilities while also considering approaches used in other jurisdictions and recommendations for the future,” Lantz said.
Lantz added the inquiry will involve public engagement with experts, Islanders and others.
The review will provide recommendations to government by Nov. 1, according to its terms of reference.
IRAC serves as the province’s regulator in many areas, including over electricity rates, lands protection matters, gas prices and tenant-landlord disputes.
LAND HOLDING CONTROVERSIES
In recent years, the regulator’s role as administrator of the province’s Lands Protection Act has been a lightning rod for controversy with critics claiming a lack of transparency as it relates to land matters.
IRAC is currently in the midst of a review of the landholdings of two Buddhist organizations based in Kings county, the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) and the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI). A previous investigation of these two groups in 2018 was never completed, although IRAC did receive a report containing findings by a third-party organization. The results of this investigation have never been made public.
A 2019 investigation into a land purchase of three corporations linked to the Irving family was completed by IRAC. The investigation found that the three corporations had violated the Lands Protection Act but the full investigation report was also never made public.
In a December byelection in Georgetown-Pownal, candidates of all parties called for a review of IRAC, citing transparency concerns. During the winter PC leadership campaign, Lantz’s opponent, Mark Ledwell pledged to “overhaul” the regulator while Lantz promised to review it.
Lantz ultimately won the leadership with 53 per cent of votes cast to Ledwell’s 47 per cent.
OPPOSITION PANS REVIEW
Both Liberal Opposition Leader Hal Perry and Green Leader Matt MacFarlane panned the IRAC inquiry.
In the legislature, Perry said everyone already knows the commission needs to be reformed.
“What Islanders don’t need now is another review. What they need to see from this government is some action and to meet the needs of Islanders,” Perry said.
“This is just one of maybe 100 reviews that this government has on the table.”
MacFarlane also suggested the review was not needed and will not be completed before the next election.
“We already know what’s wrong with IRAC – political patronage, lack of transparency and lack of accountability. We don’t need a review to tell us what we already know is wrong with IRAC,” MacFarlane said.
MacFarlane noted that IRAC was formed by an amalgamation of several different commissions, such as the public utilities commission and the land use commission.
“Pull it apart, Mr. Speaker. We can pull it apart,” MacFarlane said.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
The terms of reference for the review, provided to reporters by the P.E.I. Premier’s Office, say it will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of IRAC’s current mandate and operations. The terms give the inquiry the power to identify opportunities for modernization and for review of IRAC’s governance, including legislative changes.
The terms of reference also require the review to be conducted “in a manner that respects the quasijudicial function of IRAC” and limits it from interfering with matters under review.
The study will have a budget of $375,000.
In an interview, Lantz said he could not recall the last time IRAC had been reviewed in a substantial way.
The premier confirmed the mandate of the study could include examining concerns about patronage appointments to IRAC’s leadership.
“It’s certainly within their mandate. And I expect that’s something they’ll have a look at,” Lantz said.
The current chair of IRAC, Pamela Williams, previously served as chief of staff for former premier Dennis King. Before that, Williams worked for 25 years as a lawyer with Cox and Palmer.
A statement from the commission said it would be engaging with the review “to the best of our ability” and said IRAC’s operations will not be affected.
