**Former Green MLA Calls for a Provincial Health‑Improvement Initiative**
*PEI –* In a letter to the *Charlottetown Guardian* published on September 1, 2026, former Green Party MLA and longtime island architect Ole Hammarlund urged Prince Edward Island to set a goal of becoming the “healthiest province in Canada.” The 84‑year‑old, who lost his family physician in 2019, cited personal experience and provincial health data to argue that a focus on preventive measures could reduce the demand for medical services.
**Doctor shortages and waiting lists**
Hammarlund recounted that after his family doctor retired in 2019, he joined a list of Islanders seeking a new primary‑care provider. At the time, the list reportedly included about 10,000 residents; he said it has since grown to “over 30,000,” despite political promises to eliminate the wait‑list. He described the inconvenience of standing in line on “dark winter mornings” to obtain prescription renewals for blood‑pressure medication and prostate‑related issues.
**Provincial health statistics**
Referencing a “vital statistics report” presented to Green Party members, Hammarlund noted that PEI ranks among the provinces with the poorest health outcomes, specifically mentioning higher rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity compared with other Canadian provinces. He added that a legislative testimony had highlighted the potential benefits of exercise for conditions ranging from heart failure to joint replacement, suggesting that lifestyle changes could improve both quality of life and medical outcomes.
**Personal health regimen**
To illustrate the impact of self‑directed health practices, Hammarlund described his participation in city‑run seniors’ exercise classes, which he and his wife attend on weekdays. He reported that prior to joining the classes he was “clinically depressed” and took prescription antidepressants; he claims the depression and associated medication side effects have since resolved. He also participates in a seniors’ weight‑lifting class, which he says helps maintain muscle and bone strength and reduces fall‑related injury risk.
Regarding nutrition, Hammarlund said he and his wife “love to cook, eat and share dinners with friends,” emphasizing a diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates and rich in protein, fruits, and vegetables. He credited a daily portion of blueberries and pumpkin seeds with allowing him to discontinue a prescription drug for prostate issues, and he asserted that a “good dinner with friends” lowered his blood pressure more effectively than medication.
**Limitations of self‑care**
While advocating for personal responsibility, Hammarlund acknowledged the limits of self‑managed health. He noted that his cataracts are progressing and that, like many Islanders, he faces a wait of approximately one year for surgical correction.
**Policy recommendation**
Hammarlund concluded that the province should shift its health strategy from “needing ever more doctors for a population that is getting sicker” to “getting healthier and needing fewer doctors.” He argued that encouraging residents to take charge of their own health could lead to “happier and healthier” outcomes.
**About the author**
Ole Hammarlund has worked as an architect in Prince Edward Island for five decades and served as the Green Party MLA for Charlottetown‑Brighton from 2017 to 2021. His letter reflects a broader debate in the province about the balance between medical services and preventive health initiatives.
Article and image source: saltwire.com
