P.E.I. MP honours Bruce Rainnie and 'Boomer' Gallant in House of Commons

Charlottetown MP Sean Casey paid tribute to departing CBC Compass host Bruce Rainnie and retiring weather specialist Kevin "Boomer" Gallant in the House of Commons Monday.

"Mr. Speaker, it is frequently stated that 80 per centof all televisions that are turned on in P.E.l. at6 p.m.on a weeknight are tuned in toCompass, the supper time newscast," said Casey. "Fridaywas the end of an era for that program."

Casey outlined the highlights of Gallant and Rainnie's tenures with CBC P.E.I.

"For the last 31 years, the weatherman on the show has been Kevin "Boomer" Gallant, a former harness racing track announcer, in his trademark Red Sox ball hat, colourful Hawaiian shirt, and shorts," he said. "And for the last 13 years, the news anchor has been Bruce Rainnie, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of sports and a lightning quick wit."

Casey described the close friendship andon-air banter thatentertained and endeared Islanders to the duo and how they left the show together.

"You can't have Abbott without Costello," he said.

• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Music Monday celebrated in Charlottetown
• MORE P.E.I. NEWS | 8 jobs lost as local company takes over Pepsi distribution on P.E.I.