Province Législature/Legislature Session Type de discours/Type of speech Date du discours/Date Locuteur/Speaker Fonction du locuteur/Function Parti politique/Political party Ile du PrinceEdward Island–Prince Edward Island 49 2 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 09-02-1960 Frederick W.Hyndman Lieutenant-governor Progressive Conservative P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the Forty-ninth General Assembly, February 9th, 1960 In the name of Her Gracious Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, I welcome you to this the Second Session of the Forty-ninth General Assembly. May your endeavours in the weeks to follow result in beneficial legislation for all our citizens and further strengthen our position in the great Canadian Confederation of which we are a loyal member. Since the close of the last Session the people of this province were honoured by a visit in July of Their Excellencies, The Governor-General and Madame Vanier. Their gracious charm and gentle dignity captivated the hearts of all Islanders and reaffirmed our faith in the unity of the Crown which His Excellency so nobly represents. Having been granted another year of uneasy peace, my people give humble thanks to a Divine Master for the blessed privilege of labouring free from the ravages of war. We pray that our world leaders everywhere may be men of goodwill and that collectively they will seek the abolition of fear and resentment and establish at last an incontestable peace based upon the world-wide brotherhood of man. Prince Edward Island last year suffered a prolonged period of drought which resulted in a number of disastrous forest fires. Over 18,000 acres of woodland were destroyed in 25 different fires a loss never before realized of this kind or on such a scale by this province. The distress and hardship endured by the people of the affected areas was of such magnitude that my Government declared the districts involved "Disaster Areas" and moved with all possible speed and with every available resource to relieve and rehabilitate those whose homes were lost to the flames. Every available unit of firefighting equipment within the province was pressed into service in an effort to contain the flames and my Government acknowledges with the utmost gratitude the unsparing assistance given by Canada's Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian mounted Police and all other Civil agencies in fighting the fires. As a result of the forest fires of the past year valuable experience has been gained in the prevention and control of future outbreaks and my Government is exploring the possibility of establishing permanent fire fighting units in strategic points throughout the province. The unusually dry summer also produced another hazard to our province's economy by occasioning the infestation of fusarium rot in our most staple product, potatoes. Immediately upon discovering the outbreak, several of my Ministers consulted with the Minister of Agriculture for Canada and officials of the Federal Inspection Services in Ottawa were thereupon dispatched to this province to assist our potato producers and buyers in assessing the extent of the infection and the losses sustained. Quite recently the Federal Minister himself visited the province to observe the potato situation at first hand and as a result of this visit my Government is hopeful that the Government of Canada will participate with this province in providing some measure of assistance to those who suffered severe loss through fusarium rot. In view of the unexpected and unprotected losses to this province's potato industry and recognizing similar risks to other valuable crops in the province, particularly tobacco and small fruits, my Government proposes to introduce for your consideration legislation designed to protect our farmers through Crop Insurance. Notwithstanding the dryness of the season and the losses sustained thereby, agriculture in the province experienced an excellent year with market prices maintained at a satisfactory level. Our dairy industry continues to be the Island's most profitable unit of agricultural revenue with total sales in excess of six million dollars. Nevertheless, our production of butter, milk, and cheese was considerably less this year over last and while much of this decrease occured in late summer when pastures became dry and denuded, my Government cannot too forcibly impress upon all our dairy farmers the need of supplementary feeding programs such as the greater use of grass and corn silage, rotational grazing and the fertilization of pasture lands. Recognizing the need- for new and improved blood lines in our valuable livestock industry, my Government has fostered and assisted the importation of high-grade registered cattle and hogs to supplement our present herds. This practice will be vigorously promoted and additional funds will be made available for the purchase of high quality breeding stock in cattle, sheep and swine. Increased encouragement in Artificial Insemination practices has also been provided through grants to Breeding Associations. Animal Health Services have also been improved with the addition of another Veterinarian to our field staff and further additions will be made as required. During the past year experiments in tobacco growing have been intensified and efforts have been directed toward the economic practicability of successfully growing tobacco in this province. Production of this crop, however, must be undertaken with caution and farmers are advised to study carefully all conditions governing the growth of this plant as a cash crop. My Government has carefully selected six Island farmers as initial producers and will assist them to the extent of supplying seedlings and whatever technical information it can make available to them During the past year greater advances were made in the provision of improved high school facilities than at any time in our province's history. One year ago there were no Regional High Schools in this province; today there are seven located between Tignish and Montague with provisions being made for several more this year. This phenomenal growth in secondary education in the province is indicative of the desire and willingness of all our people to provide better and higher levels of education for their children and the improved facilities have stimulated and inspired many of our youth to continue their studies when otherwise they might have left school. For example in one of these new Regional High Schools this year there were more pupils in grades nine, ten, eleven and twelve than there were in all of the twelve grades combined last year. The people of Prince Edward Island demand, we believe and have the right to the very best in standards of teaching and in school facilities and to this end my Government is dedicated Salary schedules for all public school teachers, and including teachers of Prince of Wales College, will be revised in the coming year in accordance with other academic advancements. My Government is pleased to report that the construction of MONTGOMERY HALL is progressing favourably and this fine new residence will be available for the accommodation of female students of Prince of Wales College at the beginning of the 1961 fall semester. The report of the Commission on "Educational Finance and Related Problems in Administration" has been received and will be tabled during the Session. Study and implementation of the recommendations of the Commission will continue throughout the coming year. Concurrent with the academic progress within the province great strides are being taken to improve our vocational training facilities and my Government is pleased to announce that an amendment to our existing agreement with the Government of Canada has been signed whereby it will be possible for this province to receive, until March 31, 1963, seventy-five per cent of the costs of capital expenditures incurred for vocational and technical education. With this improved assistance my Government hopes to provide additional vocational school facilities in Summerside and other large Regional High School centres throughout the province. Continuing its policy of increased emphasis on public health, my Government has recognized the long-felt need in this province for more adequate facilities for the care of our Mentally Retarded children. A new Hospital, or Home, for the treatment and training of mentally defective children will be constructed near Riverside Hospital this year and will embrace all aspects of modern therapy in the care and guidance of our Retarded children. In common with all our people, my Government rejoices that tuberculosis is slowly being conquered in this province, and our death rate per 100,000 people has been reduced from 69.9 in 1937 to 4.0 in 1958. Nevertheless, we must guard against complacency; absolute vigilance must be maintained if we are to succeed in eliminating this pestilence for all time. To assist in such a goal, my Government further proposes to relieve all tuberculosis patients from the heavy burden of treatment costs by providing therapeutic care in the Provincial Sanatorium at no direct cost to the patient. 18. It has been said that a Nation can be only as strong as the health of its people and my Government considers the welfare of all our citizens to be its primary concern. Very shortly a province-wide survey will be carried out to determine the Health Services presently available to our people with particular emphasis upon care for the aged, the needy, the chronically ill and those requiring measures of rehabilitation. In the field of Social Assistance and Welfare my Government continues to work in close co- operation with the Government of Canada in providing necessary assistance to our need and underprivileged. Present regulations limit the payment of assistance to widows, deserted mothers, or those in need, having in their care children under sixteen years of age. My Government feels that such a regulation imposes unfair restrictions upon a number of deserving applicants and legislation will be introduced to increase the age limitation of dependent children to eighteen years providing the children receiving assistance are in regular attendance at school. My Government notes with approval the satisfactory relationship which continues to exist between Management and Labor within the province and every effort will be made to promote and preserve the welfare of our working force. A complete study of the Trade Union Act will be carried out during the course of the next year for the purposes of revision, consolidation and the elimination of present ambiguities. Amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Act will also be introduced and regulations under the Apprenticeship Act, defining qualifications and classifications of tradesmen, will be submitted for approval. The dependence of our Island's economy upon adequate transportation facilities, particularly good highways, is a self-evident truth; progress cannot be maintained unless our primary producers have year-round access to the markets available to them. My Government is intensely aware of this dependence and during the past year 110 miles of roads were hard surfaced throughout this province. The Trans-Canada Highway program has been completed except for the Hillsborough Bridge and this structure will be ready to carry traffic by late summer of this year The construction of Roads to Resources will be continued at the scheduled rate of sixty-five miles per season and the paving of other roads ineligible for Federal grants will also be carried out under a Provincial Road Paving Program. Further research will be carried on in a series of experiments begun last year to determine more economical methods for strengthening our paved roads against damage incurred by frost. In such experiments, cement, asphalt and lime, all of which have been used successfully in other soils, will be tried, especially in those areas where supplies of native gravel are limited Our Fishing Industry continues to flourish and expand. New programs designed to improve both catching and processing methods are being promoted. Technical and financial assistance is being made available to stimulate expansion and new techniques and to encourage small scale filleting in our smaller plants. An intensive training program in Navigation and Seamanship is being carried out as well as instruction in processing and canning methods and in the care and operation of fishing equipment. The possibility of establishing trout farming as a commercial enterprise on Prince Edward Island is also being explored. Last year Canada imported over 739,000 pounds of fresh frozen trout and present studies would indicate that a superior product of this kind could be commercially and profitably produced in this province. In the further promotion of Trade, my Government is presently negotiating with the Canadian Maritime Commission for the establishment of a weekly subsidized shipping service between this province and the North Shore ports of the St. Lawrence River. The Geological Survey undertaken several years ago under the direction of the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys at Ottawa has been responsible for locating a number of silica sand and lime deposits in this province. These discoveries are being fully investigated and if found to be of commercial value, they will be developed for industrial and commercial use. My Government is pleased to report that provisions made last year for tourist development within the Province have produced a distinct advancement in this important phase of our economy. Material assistance to caterers and planned supervision of accommodations have proven of inestimable value in attracting visitors. A continuance of this program during the coming season will bring further benefits to the many of our citizens associated with this industry. My Government proposes to establish additional angling areas throughout the province. This program will have the dual effect of preserving our valuable water supplies while, at the same time, beautifying our countryside and providing more recreational facilities for both our citizens and guests. Provisions will also be made for-additional camp grounds and picnic sites to meet the ever increasing demand for this type of service. Further to promote the program for Safety on our Highways initiated last year, my Government proposes to broaden our present Financial Responsibility Law to include Safety Responsibility Legislation. An amendment to The Highway Traffic Act in this connection will be presented for your consideration. The Provincial Planning Committee charged with the responsibility of preliminary arrangements for the 1964 observance of the 100th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, held in 1864, has been enlarged and at a recent meeting of the Committee Chairmen, comprehensive plans were laid to cover all segments of this historic event. My government believes that a total exploration of our province's resources, both human and natural would reveal to us unlimited possibilities and if such resources were properly mobilized and coordinated and given the necessary leadership, our economic, social and cultural growth would be immeasurably stimulated. To this end my Government, in co-operation with the Government of Canada, will direct its efforts and the initial phases of the program have already begun with the appointment of a Provincial Director of Research. Recognizing the importance of music in the life of our Community and on representation of the Prince Edward Island Music Festival Association, my Government will recommend provision for the appointment of a Director of Music for the province. As announced in my address to you last year, a Committee of my Ministers was charged with the responsibility of investigating the physical and financial possibilities of erecting a building to house all Departments of Government. Studies by this Committee are continuing and a report of its findings is expected to be available at an early date. In recognition of a long-felt need for electoral reform in this province, my Government, during the present Session, will name a Royal Commission to enquire into all matters relating to the election of members to the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. During the past year my Government has conducted the administration of the affairs of the province with every possible economy consistent with the efficiency of public works and public services. My Government has also carried out its policy of paying for capital expenditure out of current revenue. The sinking funds are maintained at a high and satisfactory level. In the preparation and passing of the current and capital estimates for the forthcoming fiscal year, it is necessary that every care should be exercised towards economy and the maintenance of that sound condition of finances so necessary to a province with limited financial resources. The public accounts and reports of the various departments of my Government, for the year ending March 31, 1960, will be tabled for your information. The Interim Report forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 1961 and estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1961 will also be presented for your consideration. During the past year my Government, in common with the governments of the other Canadian provinces, has participated in two plenary conferences with the Government of Canada on fiscal and economic relations. These conferences are scheduled to continue, with a view to working out a new tax rental agreement to replace the present agreement expiring on March 31, 1962. My Government is not entirely satisfied with the present system of rebating gasoline tax to consumers presently entitled to it. The practice of rebating is costly from an administrative point of view and not too satisfactory from the point of view of the collection of the tax. You will therefore be asked to approve new legislation in this connection. May you be guided in your deliberations by that Divine Power which works for the betterment of all people. I now leave you to your legislative duties.