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 51 3 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 22-02-1968 Hon. Willibald J. MacDonald Lieutenant-governor Liberal P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Third Session of the Fifty-First General Assembly, February 22nd, 1968 In the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, it is my privilege to welcome you to this the third session of the fifty-first General Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island. During our Centennial Year, it has pleased me to participate in the many celebrations and observances which have been conducted throughout the Province in 1967. The fame of our Island Province, the richness of its cultural heritage, and its many achievements have been portrayed across our Canadian nation by the commendable activities of our citizens. My Government was represented at two significant national conferences held since your last session here. The Confederation of Tomorrow Conference convened in Toronto and the Constitutional Conference assembly in Ottawa, succeeded in establishing the national goals and objectives which Canadians have set for themselves as we enter upon our second century of Confederation. As a consequence of these conferences, my Government will seek the approval of this Assembly in recognizing the French language as an official language in the debates of this Legislative Assembly. The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed this year to be "The International Year for Human Rights". You will be asked to make provision for statutory recognition of equal and inalienable rights for each citizen of this Province. My Ministers report that the Economic Improvement Corporation has been actively engaged in the preparatory work for a comprehensive economic development plan. It is expected that an agreement will be signed with the Government of Canada making it possible to proceed with the implementation of the plan this year. Among the several research documents which have provided background information to my Government have been the reports of Acres Research and Planning Limited. These reports will be tabled and provisions will be made for members of this Assembly to consider them as well as other aspects of economic planning. My Government will seek the unanimous support of the Members of this Assembly for the continued operation of military operations within the Province. My Government proposes the establishment of a Secretariat to further encourage and facilitate the co-operative efforts of the Atlantic Provinces in dealing with regional problems of mutual concern. A resolution will be submitted seeking the encouragement of further measures for joint governmental action. My Government has continued extensive studies in the field of education and much progress has been achieved in the revision of the School Act, and in the developing of a master plan for the provision of educational facilities, financing and administration. The recruitment of new teachers for Prince Edward Island schools will receive increased attention this year. Improved teaching qualifications will be encouraged by a new program of sabbatical leave for teachers. Many devoted citizens and organizations have been providing training and facilities for physically and mentally handicapped young adults. My Government, in co-operation with the Government of Canada, will construct a building complex for this program. You will be asked to approve substantial increases in per capita student grants to our Universities, and to consider new legislation establishing a Grants Commission for Higher Education within the Province. My Government proposes to provide increased assistance for the provision of reference books to school libraries, and to establish scholarships for the training of librarians. My Government has approved in principle the recommendations of Volume I of the "B and B" report. In this respect, my Government proposes to encourage measures to improve instruction of, and in, the French language in appropriate circumstances. My Government was pleased to encourage and assist the formation of the Prince Edward Island Symphony Orchestra. My Government has recognized the need for improved and expanded training programs throughout the Province. To that end it is proposed to continue the operation of the navigation and fisheries school; to provide instruction in basic training for the development of skills; to expand facilities for the training of fishermen; to provide courses in boat building, small business management, hospitality services, guidance and special education; and to inaugurate this year thirteen new research and training courses under the auspices of the Prince Edward Island New-start. You will be asked to consider amendments to the Apprenticeship and Tradesman's Qualifications Act, the Industrial Relations Act and the Workmen's Compensation Act. The allowances, under the Workmen's Compensation Act, have been increased for widows and their dependents, and the provisions of the Act have now been extended to include hospital workers. My Government has initiated a system of steam boiler inspection, and you will be asked to consider new legislation related to this field. My Government has actively promoted improved industrial safety procedures under new regulations adopted this year. My Government recognizes the value of harmonious labour-management relations and, to further promote these relations, you will be asked to establish a Standing Committee of the Legislature on Labour and Management Relations. The provisions of the Winter Works Projects Act now limit participation in projects to that of a permanent character. My Government will continue to participate in such projects. The co-operative housing program has been reactivated and will be further encouraged. Tenders will soon be called for the construction of thirty low rental dwelling units in Summerside and Charlottetown. Special Care homes have been opened recently in Montague and Alberton, and plans for the construction of a 500 bed nursing home are now under consideration. My Government has been represented in the joint committee studies of our hospital facilities and services in the City of Charlottetown, and proposes to lend every assistance possible in improving the standards of hospital services and facilities here, and throughout the Province. My Ministers report that the Committee on Medical Care is now preparing its final report. My Government has announced that it will not participate in the national Medical Care program this year, but, alternatively, you will be asked to approve additional sums to extend medical treatment and drugs to those in need. A new Mental Health Act will be presented for your consideration. My Government is now receiving substantial financial assistance from the Government of Canada for some 250 patients in Riverside, Special Care Homes and at Sherwood Home. The construction of All Weather roads will be continued this year under the provisions of a newly negotiated agreement with the Atlantic Development Board. This work will be undertaken on portions of the Western Road, the Malpeque Road near Hunter River, the St. Peters Road, and sections near Kensington, Montague and Winsloe. My Government will continue to improve and pave as many roads in rural areas as finances will permit. My Government has increased the rates schedule being paid to truckmen employed in work under government contracts. During the 1967 fishing season, Prince Edward Island landed tonnage increased more than 8%, bringing in a total of 91.9 million pounds of products. The landed value for this total sea product also had an increase of more than 25%, reaching a landed value of $8.17 millions. During the past year, experiments and exploration for crab and tuna were successfully carried out. My Ministers inform me that several new projects will be conducted this year, and will include Scottish Seiner, Irish Moss, Herring Seiner conversion, Pelagic fish survey and toxic pesticides research. Research with scallops, trout and oysters will be continued. My Ministers are now studying the regulations which have been drawn up in respect to the Fishermen's Loan Board Act and the Prince Edward Island Fish Inspection Act. My Government expects that the agricultural industry will receive substantial assistance from the Fund for Regional Economic Development and that new financing arrangements with the Government of Canada will enable the Department of Agriculture to expand and improve its programs and services. Without anticipating such funds, my Government will this year: a) inaugurate a program to improve the production capabilities of the poultry industry, b) encourage improvement of veterinary services, c) provide assistance to swine breeders, d) continue its silo construction subsidy, e) provide increased assistance for students who wish to advance their studies in agriculture at Nova Scotia Agriculture College. f) provide a field worker, especially trained in leadership guidance, for Women's Institutes and 4-H Clubs. My Government will initiate a new service for dairy farmers by offering to them greater control in herd operation and management. The inadequacy of our present marketing arrangements and the requests expressed by the Federation of Agriculture for improvements in marketing techniques and facilities have encouraged an exhaustive study of our marketing, transportation and shipping needs. My Government is now developing policy and legislation to meet these needs. You will be asked to provide increased financial assistance to meet the needs of neglected children. The provisions of the Canada Assistance Act have been applied to all recipients of, and applicants for, social assistance. This has enabled my Government to extend its general welfare program to meet the needs of individuals. Under this program, increased benefits have been received by widows and the blind and disabled who have qualified. The program of Old Age Supplementary payments will be applied to 3000 recipients this year. My Government, through its Welfare Department, will provide training for social workers. My Government has inaugurated a program of motor vehicle inspection which has been designed to protect the travelling public from accidents caused by defects in his own or in vehicles operated by others. You will be asked to consider and approve a Real Estate Brokers Act and a Collection Agency Act. Amending legislation will be introduced to authorize my Government to purchase the bonds and debentures of municipalities and school districts under the provisions of The Loans Act and The Treasury Act. You will be asked to provide a grant to the Vanier Institute of the Family. Five new brigades have been organized under my Government's Rural Fire Fighting Assistance Program and continued assistance will be extended for fire protection in rural areas. My Government has expanded the services available under the Planning Division of the Department of Municipal Affairs to include all paved highways in the Province. During the past year, a program was initiated to obtain land-use mapping for all communities within the Province. This program will be continued and completed during the ensuing year. From the information gathered, an interim zoning policy supported by zoning mapping will be prepared for each community. My Government will introduce legislation amending the Town Planning Act and Unsightly Premises Act. My Ministers have reported excellent co-operation with agencies of the Government of Canada in resolving problems of industrial pollution, salt water intrusion, domestic sewage collection and treatment. Continuing efforts will be made for further progress in these matters. My Government continues to work with new and established industrial enterprises. Assistance has been rendered to many industries through financing, provision of service facilities, and training programs. You will be asked to provide further sums for industrial development purposes. My Government has declared its policy to channel all applications for public funds by industry to Industrial Enterprises Incorporated for processing. My Government will reorganize the Department of Industry and outline a new and vital roll for this department of government. My Government has improved its park, golf course and ski facilities, and will negotiate with the Government of Canada for capital assistance before engaging in further major undertakings for tourist accommodation and recreation. My Government will participate with the Canadian Government Travel Bureau and will expand its participation in the Maritime co-operative advertising program. In addition to the measures already specified, you will be asked to consider other legislative proposals. You will be asked to appropriate the funds required for the services and payments required by this Assembly. The public accounts and reports of the various departments of my Government, for the year ending March 31, 1967, will be tabled for your information. The Interim Report, forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 1968, and the estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1968, will also be presented for your consideration. Mr. Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly: Concluding, it is most appropriate, in these opening months of Canada's second century as a federation, that we, as Canadians, acknowledge that the laws of our Parliament and of our Legislatures will not alone achieve the strength and unity of the nation which each of us desires. Let us, as individual Canadians, reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women. Then, and only then, will we have done what must be done to assure a promising future for Canada. May Divine Providence guide your deliberations. ??