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 Prince Edward Island – Prince Edward Island 49 4 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 22-02-1962 Frederick W. Hyndman Lieutenant-governor Progressive Conservative P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Fourth Session of the Forty-ninth General Assembly, February 22nd, 1962 Once again it is my pleasure to occupy the Throne in this Hallowed Chamber and on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, whom I have the privilege to represent and serve, to welcome you to the Fourth Session of the Forty-ninth General Assembly of the Province. Having been granted another year free from the barbarity of war we give humble thanks to a Divine Father for the Peace and Freedom which He has so lovingly bestowed upon us. Since the last regular Session of this Assembly an event of great national significance occurred in this Province when, for the first time in our Nation's history, all ten Provincial Premiers of Canada met in the historic Confederation Chamber in Charlottetown. The people of Prince Edward Island were proud and honoured to have such a distinguished gathering and I commend my Ministers for the splendid manner in which they carried out their duties as hosts to these eminent Canadians. While many matters of national interest and common concern were discussed at that meeting, recognition should here be given to the unanimity among all the Premiers in their support of the Fathers of Confederation Memorial Foundation to erect a permanent memorial commemorating the Charlottetown Conference of 1864. Since then plans for the Memorial have been approved and the people of Prince Edward Island are deeply indebted and humbly grateful to the Memorial Foundation and to their fellow Canadians for what surely will be one of the most magnificent memorial structures in all Canada. My Government is also mindful of the excellent preparations now being made by its Centennial Committee for the provincewide celebrations of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Confederation meeting in Charlottetown and in this regard you will be asked to consider certain legislative measures designed to assist in the preparations for this event. The economic health of the Island's agricultural industry continues to be of primary concern to my Government and notwithstanding the hardships and disabilities imposed upon all our people by an unusually severe winter our farmers experienced a satisfactorily productive year. Believing that many of our farmers are desirous of obtaining additional agricultural information, special efforts have been made to carry this education to the rural districts and it is the intention of my Government to promote with increased vigor through its Extension Services the many phases of agriculture throughout the province. As a result of the utilization of important farm crops for processing purposes, greater interest in new products is abundantly evident throughout the province. Existing processing facilities have been expanded and during the year a large, new plant, operated by Seeman Brothers of Canada Limited, was opened in the New Annan area. This new industry will exert a great influence on the agricultural economy of the province and it is gratifying to note that this plant processed cole crops as well as a substantial quantity of potatoes. Extensive investigations have taken place in establishing markets for Prince Edward Island products. New areas have been opened and old markets have been greatly expanded. This has resulted in a substantial increase in trade and additional transportation facilities have been provided to take care of the expansion. The interest in our products has directed greater attention to better quality, methods of production and market appeal. Increased interest in the production, care and marketing of Prince Edward Island eggs has resulted in an effective organization being launched in Prince County to meet these requirements. My Government notes with satisfaction the continued expansion of our dairy industry. The Dairy Herd Improvement policy has been expanded and the average production per cow has shown a marked increase over previous years. The manufacture of a new milk product will materially assist our dairy industry and as a further incentive, my Government will provide bonuses for high scoring cheese. Increased emphasis is also being placed upon greater beef production. My Government recognizes the potential of existing and expanding markets for high quality beef and will continue to give assistance and leadership in this direction. The high standard of Veterinary Services in this province will be further improved by the provision of scholarships to Island students pursuing a course in veterinary medicine in schools recognized and approved by my Government. Recognizing that our table potatoes command a premium on consumer markets and the importance of protecting this valuable industry, my Government proposes to expand its program of disease control by introducing amendments to existing legislation and further proposes to establish facilities for the thorough cleaning and disinfection of potato equipment. The value of rural fairs and livestock exhibitions to our agricultural and tourist industries will be further recognized by increased financial assistance from my Government. Assistance will also be given to the Agricultural Economics Research Council of Canada to provide for greater efforts in the field of marketing research on a national level. Continuing its policy of direct and positive encouragement to the province's basic industries of agriculture and fishing, my Government proposes to forthwith abolish the provincial tax on all gasoline used for farm or fishing purposes. Further incentive to the development of our fishing industry has been provided through the cooperation and joint effort of my Government with the Government of Canada. During the past year the Government of Canada increased its subsidies to fishing boats built under the Steamship Inspection Regulations by more than fifty percent which in the case of a sixty-five foot dragger amounts to $18,000. Further assistance to our fishermen was provided by my Government by the retroactive reduction of interest rates on all loans approved by the Fishermen's Loan Board. The intensive training program familiarizing our fishermen with improved methods and efficiency of production will be continued with renewed emphasis during the coming season. This program will be extended through additional fishery training courses in our Vocational School and at various points throughout the province. Efforts are underway to secure the cooperation of the Atlantic Provinces, together with appropriate Federal Departments, to establish a Technical Institute of Fisheries at some point in the Maritimes to train technicians to translate the findings of scientific research into practical application at the industry level. Greater encouragement will be given to better methods of harvesting, grading and marketing of high quality Irish Moss. This important Island industry shows evidence of providing an expanded measure of economic value to our fishermen. The continued zeal of our people in the provision of improved facilities for the education of our youth is noted with great satisfaction. During the past year four new Regional High School units have become operative bringing to eleven the total number at present. Two units have been formed in the East Prince area and the rural area surrounding Charlottetown is at present organizing. The number of students attending Regional High Schools has increased one hundred percent in one year. My Government believes that the desire on the part of rural school districts to form themselves into Regional High School Units is one of the greatest progressive movements that has occurred within this province for many years. It is the intention of my Government to continue promotion of this movement by providing leadership and the necessary financial assistance. The continued expansion of Vocational High School facilities is being actively planned in cooperation with the Department of Labour of the Federal Government. The construction of the School at Summerside is underway and similar facilities costing in the vicinity of 1.25 million dollars is planned for the City of Charlottetown to serve Queens County. Vocational Training facilities will also be extended into other areas of Kings and Prince Counties. A great upsurge of interest in the teaching profession is being noted. The implementing of new salary scales for teachers has stimulated the acquiring of higher standards of qualifications. Greatly increased numbers have taken summer courses and are enrolled in the normal training classes. Your Government has noted the increase cost of school text books and proposes to increase the subvention by almost fifty percent in order to reduce the burden on parents of children attending school. At present negotiations are being carried on with the Government of Canada under the Federal Statute for the promotion of Physical Fitness and it is hoped to greatly expand our effort in this respect during the ensuing months. During the year your Government was fortunate to procure the services of a highly qualified instructor to promote music in the schools. It is hoped to likewise assist the cause of drama by the appointment of a suitable director. The opening in September, 1961 of Montgomery Hall, a residence for female students attending Prince of Wales College, was one of the highlights of the year. This building is filling a long- felt need in the college life of the students. It is hoped that it may soon be possible to erect a residence for male students. Negotiations are now underway between the four Atlantic Provinces to establish an Atlantic Institute of Education and Research Centre to provide advanced training for educational leaders and administrators. A survey of the Health Services available to the people of the province is now underway and the recommendations of this Committee will form the basis for introduction of new programs directed toward the improvement of health services to our people. Realizing the heavy financial burden placed on those who are required to purchase medicine for the relief of diabetes, my Government will ask you to approve an appropriation for the supplying, free of charge, to diabetics in the province all testing material and necessary drugs. My Government is pleased to announce that the new hospital for the treatment and education of mentally retarded children is nearing completion. It will provide the most modern services in this field to such children of our province. My Government will investigate the feasibility of providing the cost of professional surgical services to children requiring medical restoration procedures where such services are not available in this province. Through our Rehabilitation program, braces for crippled persons are now manufactured at the Rehabilitation Centre, and this service is being extended to include the provision of artificial limbs and similar appliances at no direct cost to the patient. In order to provide essential medical supplies and equipment to our people during an emergency, my Government will establish an Emergency Health Services organization so that this province may have a stockpile of materials available for this purpose. In order to fill key positions in the Department of Health, and to provide more effective services to our people my Government has embarked on an extensive program for training of health personnel who will return to employment in the service of this province. The welfare of our Senior Citizens has been a matter of very deep concern to my Government and to the end that they may enjoy greater security and comfort in their declining years, construction of low-rental housing units, designed to meet their special physical and financial requirements and located in various areas of the province, will be commenced forthwith. Continued growth in the field of Labor-Management relations indicates the necessity for a revision in existing legislation and you will be asked to consider a new Industrial Relations Act which will be placed before you. Your approval will also be sought of Workmen's Compensation Act for Blind Employees designed to protect both the employers and the sightless workers they employ. My Government will also enter into a new Agreement with the Government of Canada to provide this province's share of increases in Old Age Assistance, Disabled Person's Allowance and Blind Person's Allowance and to further increase the maximum incomes allowed while receiving such benefits. The Roads to Resources program, being carried out jointly by the Government of Canada and the Province, is presently ahead of schedule and will be continued with sixty-five miles of paving being planned for the coming year. In addition to this a Provincial paving program, linking centres of population to our existing paved highway system, will be extended at an accelerated pace during 1962. Modern methods of soil stabilization to increase the bearing capacity of highways, having proved successful during the past two years, will be extensive]y employed in those areas deficient in grave] supplies. In the interests of providing better highway conditions during the winter months, my Government will expend greater efforts to eliminate clay banks from road sides which cause excessive accumulations of snow. Further snow plough depots will also be established with the construction of new buildings in Souris, Kensington and Elmsdale. The Committee of Ministers of the Crown charged with the responsibility of investigating the physical and financial possibilities of erecting a new building to house all administrative offices of Government has completed its studies and as a result certain Legislative measures will be submitted for your consideration. Recognizing the historic significance of Government House to this province and aware of the dangers of fire to this venerable old landmark, my Government will take steps to ensure its safety by the immediate installation of a sprinkler system. Transportation continues to be of vital concern to my Government and my Ministers have been in constant communication with the Government of Canada relative to feasibility studies on a causeway and concomitant problems. My Government is satisfied with the progress made thus far and awaits with ever increasing hopefulness a favourable report on this immense project. Meanwhile the province's ferry services to the Mainland will be appreciatively improved with the addition of the M. V. CONFEDERATION to the Borden-Cape Torentine service this year. The Report of the MacPherson Royal Commission on Transportation has been completed and is presently undergoing careful and detailed study. My Government presented a forceful and comprehensive brief to this Commission during its hearings in Charlottetown, a copy of which will be tabled during the present Session. The year 1961 saw the inauguration of a Resources Development Program in this province that attracted widespread attention and interest both in Canada and the United States. Recognized from the beginning as a long range program, my Government views with satisfaction the progress achieved thus far. A Provincial Resources Development Council of forty people has been formed and detailed explorations of fields never before subjected to careful study and long range planning has been initiated. Four pilot areas have demonstrated that well over two hundred people have been willing to study, plan, explore and work towards the improvement of their areas. Government personnel, both Federal and Provincial, as well as private interests, provide technical guidance and assistance to these groups. During 1962 this program will expand. Research will continue to be the broad base of every effort. The advantages of the New Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Program and other Federal resources will be fully utilized. Under the terms of a new Federal-Provincial Agreement providing for a substantial increase in Federal assistance, my Government is preparing to undertake an expanded forestry program this year. To implement this program it will be necessary to purchase several areas of submarginal land for reforestation purposes. In future years these plantations will serve as demonstration areas in woodlot management. Preliminary plans have been made for Agricultural Representatives and other employees to attend a short course in Forestry at the University of New Brunswick. This should qualify all agricultural fieldmen who are in direct contact with our farmers to discuss many of the problems relating to good forestry management. Last year, through the efforts of my Government, the Canadian Maritime Commission participated, on a fifty-fifty basis, in the payment of a subsidy toward a direct, weekly shipping service between the Island and North Shore ports. This service should assist materially in obtaining expanded markets in the North Shore area. Consideration will be given to extending still further the benefits of Rural Electrification into less densely populated areas in an endeavour to serve all regions of this province with electric power. The Tourist Industry continues to be an ever increasing factor in the economy of our Province. As a further incentive towards having a greater proportion of our people participate in the fruits of this Industry, my Government will institute a training program in handicrafts as a first step in the establishing of a new Home Industry. Provision will be made for the continuance of our program in establishing, expanding and developing campgrounds and picnic areas throughout the Province in order to meet the popular demand of our people and at the same time provide adequate camping facilities for our tourists. The beneficial results experienced by a large number of our citizens who have constructed homes under the provisions of the Housing Act is most gratifying to my Government and continued assistance will be made available for other groups of young men and women who desire to build a home of their own. My Government is happy to announce that it has established a Joint Council composed of members of the Executive Council and representatives from the Prince Edward Island Public Servants Association to promote a more effective liaison between the Government and its employees. As a result of studies made by this Council, a Legislative Measure respecting the Civil Service of the Province will be submitted for your consideration. Last year my Government indicated to you that a Royal Commission would be established to study matters relating to Electoral Reform in the Province. This Commission has been active throughout the year and its Report, presently being prepared, will be tabled if received before prorogation of the present Session. During the past year my Government conducted a comprehensive examination into the province's jail system including the administration and maintenance of our jails and their suitability as Institutions for the punishment, reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners sentenced thereto. First hand information has been sought relative to the operation and administration of penal institutions in other provinces and as a result of these studies both at home and abroad, you will be asked to consider certain measures of reform designed to improve the present situation. During the year my Government successfully completed with the Central Government at Ottawa a new Federal-Provincial Fiscal Agreement to replace the present Tax Sharing Arrangements Act due to expire on March 31st of this year. This new arrangement not only restores to the Province the constitutional rights and responsibilities which lawfully belong to it but will bring to the Province over its five year term almost 6.5 millions of dollars more than would be received during the same period under the old Tax Sharing Arrangements Act. 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 service and has 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 31st, 1961, will be tabled for your information. The Interim Report, forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year ending March 31st, 1962, and Estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1st, 1962, will also be presented for your consideration. May these and all other matters which may come before you merit your undivided attention, ever mindful of your sacred responsibilities to those whom you serve and prayerfully guided in your deliberations by a Divine Providence. ??