PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - P.E.I.'s Opposition is calling for the resignation of Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty over what it calls a gala party she hosted in Ottawa.

Docherty held the party to help promote a new Air Canada direct flight between Charlottetown and Ottawa. About 200 people showed up for hors d'oeuvres and alcoholic beverages courtesy of Island taxpayers.

Opposition MLA Jim Bagnall stood in the house Thursday and asked for Docherty's resignation. Bagnall said the province has no business handing out free booze at a party when Islanders are suffering at home.

"The minister doesn't get it," said Bagnall.

"She was taking taxpayers' dollars and supplying alcohol to her friends in Ottawa, where we can't get heating oil for our people in Charlottetown. That's outrageous, and I should ask that the minister step aside for doing this."

As part of its agreement with Air Canada, the province provided $200,000 for marketing the new flight. Docherty said the Liberal government, like the previous Tory government, is spending money to attract visitors to Prince Edward Island.

"The $200,000 is not going to go anywhere near what may be $2 million [that] may come to the province based on the investment that we've done with Air Canada," Docherty responded.

"I strongly urge the member to realize that we did this in the best interest of Islanders and not for any other reason."

Neither Bagnall nor Docherty knew exactly how much it cost to wine and dine those 200 people, most of whom were former Islanders, the minister said.

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