Rob Lantz staying on as Progressive Conservative leader

Rob Lantz announced he will continue on as P.E.I. Progressive Conservative leader, despite losing his district last Monday in the provincial election.

Lantz lost District 13, Charlottetown-Brighton, to Liberal Jordan Brown by 24 votes in the election on May 4.

At an announcement Monday afternoon, Lantzsaid he "made a commitment" and intends to fulfill it. He said he will work "outside the rail" to develop a vision for P.E.I.

"It's how you respond to setbacks, really, that people will judge you on," said Lantz.

"It was a setback. That's for sure."

Lantz said after meeting with members of the PC caucus individually and as a group twice over the last week, the executive passed a motion to support his leadership.

"The party is strong and united," he said.

'The face of our party'

Steven Myers will remain official leader of the Opposition, while James Aylward will continue as Opposition house leader and Colin Lavie as Opposition whip. Lantz said keeping the MLAs in these roles will provide continuity.

"He is the face of our party. He will continue to be the face of our party and I think it's important for continuity we do have him here so, because of that, I support him," said Myers, who has held his position since Olive Crane resigned from the party leadership in 2013.

Aylward challenged Lantz for the party leadership and lost.

"I said on that night, on February 28, that I am behind Rob Lantz as the leader of our party and nothing has changed," said Aylward.

Lantz says one of the options put forward to him was to ask one of the eight elected PC MLAs to resign their seat, so he could run in a byelection. He says he's not willing to do that.

He says the party doesn't know yet how he will be paid.

And, the party says it hasn't decided whether it will ask for a judicial recount in Charlottetown-Brighton, where Lantz ran.

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