Liberal Tina Mundy resigns from cabinet: cites 'financial matter'

Liberal Tina Mundy resigned her executive cabinet position Thursday, citing a personal financial matter, just a day after being sworn in.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan had made Mundy his minister of education, early learning and culture, and minister responsible for the status of women.

"Today I gave, and the premier accepted, my resignation from executive council due to a personal financial matter that includes making a consumer proposal to creditors," Mundy said in a statement.

"The last few years have been a difficult time for me and my family as a single mother. I have struggled with ongoing financial matters. I have taken the appropriate steps to work through these matters and fully address them."

She goes on to say the process began before the recent election campaign, but that "circumstances have changed since the election and this should have been disclosed to government."

MacLauchlan has replaced Mundy with Hal Perry, MLA for Tignish-Palmer Road, as education, early learning and culture minister.

'Empathy and regret'

Tyne Valley-Linkletter MLA Paula Biggar, the minister of transportation, infrastructure and energy, will also become minister responsible for the status of women.

MacLauchlan saidMundy's financial matter was brought to his attention Thursday morning.

The province is a creditor for Mundy's property taxes, he said.

Her situation would put Mundy in a "compromised position in terms of sitting around the cabinet table," said MacLauchlan.

"And then in a further sense, it's something that, if we had discussed this earlier this week and I regret to say this I wouldn't have proceeded with asking her to join cabinet at this point in time."

MacLauchlan said the information would have eventually come out through the disclosure that cabinet ministers make to the conflict of interest commissioner.

MacLauchlan said he has "great empathy and regret" for her situation.

He said Mundy will continue to represent the district of Summerside-St. Eleanors.

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