CHARLOTTETOWN — Prince Edward Island’s premier says he has directed the provincial Department of Health and Wellness to find a way to stop a private, fee‑for‑service health booking company that is arranging doctor visits for some visitors to the Island.
Premier calls service unacceptable
Rob Lantz used social media to register his anger after the chief executive of PEIDoctor.com appeared on CBC News: Compass to explain how the service works. In his post, the premier said the company is prioritizing for‑profit health care “at the expense of providing care to Island families that need it.” He added Islanders should “stay tuned.”
"I have directed the Department of Health and Wellness to review this matter and find a way to put a stop to it. Islanders deserve no less."
The private service has been operating on the Island for several months. On the Compass program, CEO Marius Croeser defended the business, saying it connects some visitors — including international travellers and people from Quebec — with physicians. In the interview he said the service is filling a gap and that "it's needed."
Public reaction and political context
The announcement drew swift condemnation from provincial politicians and renewed calls from the opposition for further investment in public health care. The debate centres on whether a paid service for visitors risks diverting clinicians’ time or resources away from Islanders who rely on publicly funded care.
Officials in the Department of Health and Wellness have been given a mandate to review the matter, though the premier did not outline the legal or regulatory steps the government might use to halt the business.
What the company says
On CBC, the company’s director described their service as a way to connect paying visitors with a physician when needed. The website for PEIDoctor.com notes the operation has been active in the province for a number of months and offers appointments to certain visitors.
- Service operator: PEIDoctor.com, led by CEO Marius Croeser.
- Target clients: Some visitors to P.E.I., including international visitors and people from Quebec (as mentioned by the company).
- Government action: Premier directed Department of Health and Wellness to review and seek a way to stop the service.
Stakeholders and positions
The dispute highlights differing views about private, fee‑for‑service health offerings on the Island. Supporters of the company argue it addresses immediate needs for non‑resident patients; critics, including the premier, say the model risks undermining equitable access to care for Islanders.
| Stakeholder | Position |
|---|---|
| Premier Rob Lantz | Outraged; ordered review to stop the service |
| PEIDoctor.com (CEO Marius Croeser) | Says service fills a gap for visitors and is needed |
| Opposition | Calling for more investment in public health care |
Implications for Islanders
The story raises practical questions for residents: could a private booking service affect physician availability for registered Island patients? Could it set a precedent for other private, for‑profit health offerings? Those are issues provincial officials will likely explore during the review.
At this point, the government has not released details about the legal tools it may use or any timelines for action. Islanders looking for services should continue to rely on local public health resources and wait for further guidance from the Department of Health and Wellness.
Next steps and what to watch for
Key items to watch in the coming days and weeks include whether the department issues interim guidance, whether any regulatory action is taken to restrict such services, and whether PEIDoctor.com changes its operations in response to the premier’s directive. The media interview that prompted the premier’s post has drawn attention to a wider debate about public versus private roles in health‑care delivery on P.E.I.
The province’s response may also shape discussions elsewhere in Atlantic Canada about balancing tourism needs with equitable access to health services for residents.
