MacLauchlan hints at what his future may hold at speaking engagement

P.E.I.'s outgoing premier hinted at what his future may hold at an event early Wednesday.

Wade MacLauchlan'skeynote address at an immigration conference in Charlottetown made only briefand lightheartedreference to his defeat in Tuesday's provincial election.

"I don't know how many places in the world, we have an election yesterday, plus the Leafs out of the playoffs,and the premier still the premier kind of walks in, without a body guard, with no pretention of hanging on," said MacLauchlan.

CBC has not spoken with MacLauchlandirectly about what he intends to do after losing his seat to PC Bloyce Thompson Tuesday.

MacLauchlan spoke for a little over 23 minutes, without notes, todelegates atthe P.E.I. Atlantic Immigration Summit. He credited new immigrantsfor driving growth in P.E.I.'spopulation and economy over the past decade.

"They're coming for a job and all the settlement that comes with that," said MacLauchlan. "Other provinces are looking at it, wondering how we kind of pulled into the fast lane."

MacLauchlan's participation in the summit had been planned before the election was called. At the conclusion of his remarks, hedeparted quickly and declined further comment.

MacLauchlan'sLiberal Party now findsitself where it's never been before sitting in third place. MacLauchlan watched Tuesday night's election results with family, friends and local supporters in Stanhope.

"We've had a peaceful election. We'll have a peaceful transition and I intend to be a resident of MacMillan Point in West Covehead," said MacLauchlanTuesday night. "To be here with my family and my neighbours and other Islanders to continue to make a success of this great province."

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