IRAC conducting internal review but P.E.I. commission says it will not release findings

The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) is conducting an internal review, which has led to improvements in its operations, according to the regulatory body. However, IRAC has stated that it will not release the findings of this review.

IRAC’s policy analyst and communications adviser, Jaclynne Hamel, said that the internal review has identified areas for improvement and capacity needs, which will enhance the commission’s operations. Hamel added that improvements and new initiatives have been implemented based on identified priorities and public feedback, with the goal of continuous improvement of service standards.

The internal review is separate from the external review ordered by Premier Rob Lantz in May, which is being led by Rory Francis, the former CEO of the P.E.I. BioAlliance. Francis’s review is expected to conclude with a final report and recommendations to the government in November.

Hamel explained that the internal review is not a formal process and is part of the commission’s regular business, conducted in response to the appointment of Pamela Williams as chair and chief executive officer of the commission in April 2025. She stated that there is no report to make public, as it is a regular operational review that happens from time to time due to factors such as management or mandate change.

Green Leader Matt MacFarlane has suggested that IRAC’s internal review is prompted by recent increased scrutiny and will be rendered moot by the findings of the Francis report. MacFarlane predicts that the Francis report will recommend significant changes to IRAC, including its potential dismantling.

Interim Liberal Leader Hal Perry has expressed concern that the internal review is being conducted behind closed doors with no commitment to sharing the findings with the public. Perry questioned the need for two separate reviews and how the findings will be used.

IRAC plans to release a strategic plan and a working plan in the future, outlining the commission’s goals and priorities, along with initiatives and efforts to support those goals. The commission is also advertising for positions to expand its capacity.

The internal review has sparked debate among politicians, with some calling for greater transparency and others questioning the effectiveness of IRAC in its current form.

Article and image source: saltwire.com