P.E.I. election kicks off with focus on health care, government accountability

Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan addresses the crowd at his nomination meeting in West Covehead, P.E.I. on Monday, April 6, 2015. (Andrew Vaughan / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

CORNWALL, P.E.I. -- Prince Edward Island's Progressive Conservatives launched their election campaign today with promises to make government more accountable and open.

Tory Leader Rob Lantz is repeating the party's promise to appoint a royal commission that would look into the administration of the province's immigrant investor program and an Internet gaming initiative that was abandoned more than two years ago.

He says the province's voters are looking for a change of direction and more openness and accountability from their government.

The Liberals are promising to improve wait times for health-care services on the first full day of the campaign for the May 4 election.

Liberal Leader Wade MacLauchlan says the party would focus on decreasing waiting times for cataract, hip and knee surgery, as well as for MRI testing.

He says the Liberal strategy would also reduce wait times by expanding the role played by nurse practitioners, pharmacists and paramedics.

MacLauchlan called the election on Monday, six weeks after becoming premier.