by Nash Alonto
March 15, 2024
An Opposition MLA is concerned about the lack of transparency regarding an agreement between the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Memorial University over the proposed medical school.
Liberal MLA Gordon McNeilly asked why this memorandum of understanding between UPEI and Memorial, signed in September of last year, was only made public when the UPEI Faculty Association reached out to Memorial’s faculty association.
“This raises concerns about the decision-making process around the selection of Memorial University for the medical school here on Prince Edward Island,” he said.
According to the memorandum, Memorial provides the services for the medical school. UPEI, in return, will have to pay up to $2 million for the 2025-26 academic year.
Afterwards, McNeilly asked Premier Dennis King if he knew anything about this document. King claimed he had no idea what McNeilly was talking about.
“The Government of P.E.I. or the Government of Nova Scotia or the government of any other province doesn’t start a medical school. We are working with our professional institution, the University of Prince Edward Island – one of the great institutions in this country – who are working with Memorial University, who have established for decades a wonderful medical program. It’s a joint degree. It’s a co-partnership; the first of its kind in this country,” the Premier said.
McNeilly pressed further.
“I’m pretty much done with your spin. There’s $2 million in that MOU. Are Island taxpayers paying for that? Where is that money coming from in the MOU, Mr. Premier?” he asked.
In response, King asked why he would have such document. He also said even the Liberals wanted UPEI’s medical school to come true.
“I’m working with them because I think it’s a good thing. Not only me, (but) the vast majority of Islanders think it’s a good thing. They wish former governments would have done this 10 years ago,” he said.
McNeilly fired back at King, saying this was an expensive agreement.
“I want to make sure that the province is not only on board, but that we’re doing this the right way. I mean, this is a lot of taxpayers’ money. I don’t even know what this $2 million is for. What is this $2 million in this MOU for, Mr. Premier?” he said.
King then cited UPEI’s independence regarding partnerships with other universities.
“It would be a terrible, terrible day in this world if the provincial government wouldn’t assist their university to develop a medical school at a time when we’re starving for doctors and they’re dying to train them here. It would be a shame,” he said.
McNeilly replied that while UPEI is an independent institution, the province pays them a $42-million operation grant, while asking Advanced Learning Minister Jenn Redmond if she knows about a simple memorandum.
“I can’t get the most simple answer,” he said.
King, however, reiterated his support for UPEI to set up the medical school.
“Obviously, part of the process for them to set up a successful medical school with their partner is to enter into a memorandum of understanding of what the curriculum will be and how they’re going to deliver that program. That’s what the university does, and we’ve been working with them closely, and we’ll continue to do so,” King said.
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