Charlottetown

The federal riding of Charlottetown encompasses Prince Edward Island's capital city, situated at the confluence of the Hillsborough, North, and West Rivers on Charlottetown Harbour. The riding covers the City of Charlottetown, blending the province's administrative centre with residential neighbourhoods that have grown steadily in recent decades.

Candidates

Sean Casey (Liberal) — A lawyer educated at St. Francis Xavier University and Dalhousie Law School, Casey joined the firm Stewart McKelvey in 1989 and became a partner in 1993. He later served as president of the Paderno Group of Companies before returning to Stewart McKelvey as managing partner. Casey also served as president of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and as president of the PEI Liberal Party from 2003 to 2007. First elected in 2011, he sought a second term with a focus on reversing changes to Employment Insurance and increasing investment in Veterans Affairs.

Joe Byrne (NDP) — Byrne spent seven years as a missionary in the Dominican Republic before serving as director of youth ministry at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlottetown for twelve years. He later became community connections supervisor with the PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada, where he helped organize the annual DiverseCity festival celebrating the Island's growing immigrant population.

Ron MacMillan (Conservative) — MacMillan had a background in both provincial politics and the public service before seeking the Conservative nomination in Charlottetown.

Becka Viau (Green Party) — Viau ran a campaign centred on poverty reduction and a guaranteed livable income. She was also an advocate for proportional representation and electoral reform.

About the Riding

Charlottetown serves as both the provincial capital and the heart of PEI's economy, with government services, tourism, and post-secondary education among its largest employers. The city is home to the University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College. Veterans Affairs Canada maintains its national headquarters in Charlottetown, and cuts to the department under the Harper government — including the closure of the local district office in January 2014 and the elimination of roughly 300 headquarters positions — became a significant local issue. The riding's economy also depends on seasonal industries including tourism and fisheries, making Employment Insurance rules a perennial concern for Island workers navigating gaps between busy summers and quieter winters.