Erin O’Toole welcomes former PEI Liberal to run for Conservatives

Currie served as MLA for District 11 Charlottetown-Parkdale from 2007 to 2017 and held several cabinet roles during that time, including his tenure as Health Minister.

"It’s been frustrating for all Canadians to watch the government’s on-going failure to procure and deliver vaccines for Canadians," said O’Toole in the statement.

"We want the government to succeed – for the sake of every Canadian. I’m proud to be welcoming Doug to our Conservative team as someone with Cabinet experience in the Health portfolio, and as someone who understands to secure jobs we need a vaccine, to secure our economic recovery we need a vaccine, and to secure the future we need a vaccine. With Canada sitting at just 1.46% of our population vaccinated, we’re well behind the pace of other nations. Our Conservative team cannot accept this kind of failure with so much at stake."

"As the federal government navigates the post-pandemic economic recovery, we need a strong voice in Ottawa to ensure the needs of the people of Charlottetown are being met," says Currie. "That’s why I’m joining the Erin O’Toole team and Canada’s Conservatives. We need a competent, compassionate and prudent plan that supports the well-being of the people of Charlottetown and the unique needs of Islanders for generations to come."

Currie pointed to O'Toole's aggressive socially progressive stances, saying that the Conservatives are a "pro-choice, same-sex marriage" party that is "modern and inclusive."

"From the day he took the leadership, he came out very, very clearly and very aggressively on socially progressive issues that are really, really important to me,” Currie said.

“Obviously pro-choice, same-sex marriage. He's been very clear that his party will be a modern and inclusive party."