P.E.I. Green Party Leader quits dentistry

It was clear as soon as he was elected more than a year ago that it would be difficult for P.E.I. Green Party Leader PeterBevan-Bakerto maintain his dental office and do his job as newly-minted MLA for District 17, he says and today, he threw in the towel on hisdentistrypractice.

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Bevan-Baker had been a popular dentist for more than 30 years in the central part of Queens County, with more than 1,500 active patients.

"I managed to do it, on probably a continuous flow of adrenaline, for the last 12 months," Bevan-Baker said from his dental office in Hampton, P.E.I.

"But it became increasingly clear to me it was not something I could sustain forever."

He believes if he continued to do both, he'd either get sick or his work would be compromised.

'Precious' opportunity

"It just did not feel right," he said.

"I kind of took a deep breath and decided that the political opportunity that exists here on Prince Edward Island at the moment is too precious, it's too unique."

I'll be so relieved to be able to devote myself to that and not feel conflicted all the time about where I should be and what I should be doing. Peter Bevan-Baker

Bevan-Baker assures his patients he's not abandoning them: he's brought in a new young dentist, Dr. Sean Curley of Charlottetown, who over the next few months will gradually assume the practice.

Bevan-Baker has been telling his patients one by one. The patients like Dr. Curley and he's an excellent dentist, said Bevan-Baker, which made the decision a little easier.

There have been "lots of tears, lots of hugs," said Bevan-Baker, noting he's developed close relationships with many of his patients over the years. All have been supportive of and understanding about his decision, he adds.

"That's been very touching, actually."

Financial risks

"I have absolutely no job security as an MLA," admits Bevan-Baker. "Good people get kicked out of office all the time."

The next provincial election is still three years away. He said he may return to dentistry if he isn't re-elected.

"I almost didn't have a choice," he said. "I have this opportunity to do something extremely important and exciting, how could I not do that?"

Bevan-Baker takes home an MLA's salary of $68,000, plus about an extra $20,000 for being the leader of the third party.

"Less than I was making as a dentist ... but that's fine," he said. "I'm not crying poor here!"

Potential payoff

Over the year he's been in office, Bevan-Baker said, he believes he's been able to gain traction for himself and his party.

Looking after constituency concerns takes up many hours of his time, while he's also expected to be the voice of the Green Party at functions and meetings across the Island.

"There was a day last week I had breakfast in Summerside and supper in Souris, and that's just the way it is," he said. "It's not something that I can do half-heartedly ... in between root canals and extractions. It's just not tenable."

He's working on building the party, creating a shadow cabinet of critics and already looking for good candidates for the next election, hoping to build beyond his one seat in the legislature.

"Actually, I'll be so relieved to be able to devote myself to that and not feel conflicted all the time about where I should be and what I should be doing."

Bevan-Baker is also a musician, often playing trumpet and sometimes fiddle at Green Party gatherings.

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