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 52 2 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 18-02-1971 Hon. John G.B. MacKay Lieutenant-governor Liberal P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the Fifty second General Assembly February 18th, 1971 In the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, I am pleased to welcome you to this, the second session of the fifty second General Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island. My Government notes with satisfaction the apparent progress made to date in the Canadian Constitutional review process. At the recently concluded working session of First Ministers, agreement in principle was reached as to a means of patriating the various statutes and orders comprising the Canadian Constitution, and to provide for constitutional amendment. My Government supports such measures which will enhance our Canadian identity and will actively support their achievement. The report of the Maritime Union Commission presented recently by its Chairman, Dr. Deutsch, will be tabled at this session. My Government solicits your consideration of the report, and in particular, your approval for the establishment of the Council of Maritime Premiers; your guidance with respect to the proposed Maritime Provinces Commission, and your representation on a Joint Committee of the Legislatures of the three provinces concerned. The Province of Prince Edward Island will, this year, be host to the Executive Committee of the General Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Members of this Assembly will, I am sure, join with me in extending our best wishes for the success of this important conference. The Corrections Committee established by my Government this past year has completed its examination of the correctional practice in our Province. The Committee's report and recommendations will be placed before you for your consideration. My Ministers report satisfactory progress in the implementation of the Government's White Paper on Re-organization of the Government. Pursuant to this policy, a Treasury Board, Planning Board, and the Executive Council Secretariat are now operative, and rationalization of other government services is well in progress. My Government proposes the introduction in 1972 of a new system of taxation which has been designed to assure equity of taxes and equalization of the tax burden. Legislative provision for this program will be outlined by my Ministers and will include the introduction at this session of "The Education Act", "The Property Assessment Act" and "The Property Taxation Act." Excellent progress in my Government's land mapping and surveys program now provides the opportunity for the introduction of a modern land titles system throughout the Province. "The Investigation of Titles Act" and "The Land Titles Act" will be introduced to provide a legislative foundation for this program. A Master of Titles has been appointed to organize and direct this important work. A Law Reform Commission has been established under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice John P. Nicholson. You will be asked to make provision for the work of the Commission, and, as well, for the continuing consolidation and revision of the Prince Edward Island statutes. The non medical use of drugs is a subject of great concern to citizens of the Province. My Ministers will outline the various programs directed to this problem, and the position papers my Government presented to the LeDain Commission will be tabled for your consideration. Recognizing the need for improved educational facilities within our Province, my Government has made provision for the creation of a twenty four million dollar Education Capital Fund. The detail and application of this Fund will be outlined to the Assembly. The various public library services within the Province will be centrally directed and co- ordinated by a Division of Library and Educational Media Services within the Department of Education. My Minister of Education has now under active review the vocational high school program, a new foundation program for primary and secondary schools and an up dated teacher training program. This year will see the introduction of an on the job training program entitled Employment Training Corps for Prince Edward Island. My Government will continue its support of pilot projects in Day Care, Headstart and Sheltered Workshop programs. A Law Enforcement Training School has been established at Holland College. My Ministers have promoted this school as an Atlantic Centre for such training. A Marine and Fisheries Training Centre will be constructed at Summerside this year. Elementary schools at Montague, and in the areas of Tyne Valley and Palmer Road have also been scheduled for early construction. My Government has substantially increased its support toward the capital costs of general hospital facilities. Under this pro gram a new fifty bed hospital at Montague will soon make avail able modern diagnostic and treatment facilities to the people of the south- eastern area of the Province. The Medical Care program was inaugurated on December 1, 1970, with all medical practitioners participating. This program is now in full operation. Further initiatives will be taken this year in support of those needs which our citizens have for extended health and social services. Included in these services are: (a) The Home Nursing Care program, which was conducted as a pilot project in the Hunter River area in 1970, will be continued and extended to other areas as experience, staff and financing become available. (b) The appointment of a Director of Aging, under whose supervision a comprehensive care program will be organized to complement and extend the services of the Homes for Special Care to our senior citizens. (c) The construction of a Home for Special Care at Souris. (d) The implementation this year of a children's dental care program. In the first year of operation, all Grade One children will be eligible for these services. Treatment and prevention services will be provided in private dental offices, Department of Health clinics and, in the rural areas, in mobile clinics. (e) An increase in benefits under the Workmen's Compensation Act. My Government's housing programs have been met with effective public response. You will be asked to provide additional funds to continue these useful programs, and to approve a Uniform Building Code. Appreciating the rich heritage of our Province, my Government has endorsed several programs for the identification, protection and preservation of our historical resources. Some thirty eight pioneer cemeteries will this year be identified and protected. Financial support for the Prince Edward Island Heritage Foundation will be provided, and, as part of our Centennial program, emphasis will be placed on cultural development in languages, art and handcrafts. The many and varied services to urban and rural communities throughout Prince Edward Island have been expanded and strengthened by the newly established Department of Community Services. To strengthen my Government's contribution to environmental improvement as completely and rapidly as possible, you will be asked to approve the establishment of the Environmental Control Commission, to provide funds required for municipal and industrial pollution abatement, and to endorse measures to enhance and protect the beauty of our beaches, rural landscape and urban areas. My Government's review of labour legislation, undertaken two years ago, is now complete. Legislation previously contained in five statutes has been consolidated into one comprehensive Labour Code which will be submitted for your approval. The Prince Edward Island Institute of Industrial Relations has been set up in association with the University of Prince Edward Island. The Institute has contributed toward improved methods of industrial relations. My Ministers will more fully respond to the present high level of unemployment with the announcement of public works and the establishment of appropriate fiscal policies. Proposals to stimulate the development of industry and to supplement the incentive programs of the Government of Canada will be outlined at this session. Additional financial credit and support will be required for promotion, research and development. A new "Oil, Natural Gas and Minerals Act" will be placed before you. The Special Legislative Committees enquiring into automobile insurance and land ownership have been active in their respective tasks. Reports from both these committees will be received at this session. Legislation to provide security against frauds and to control the issuing and use of credit cards will be introduced. The total landed value of fishery products reached an all-time high of $11,166,511.00 in 1970. My Ministers are confident that there is much potential for sustained growth and substantial improvements in this industry. Additional research, protection and field work will be provided through the joint efforts of the provincial and federal governments, to be supported by a greatly expanded extension service of the Department of Fisheries. Special projects in the shellfish industry, Irish Moss, wharf and plant facilities will be undertaken this year. To strengthen the effectiveness of the five district agricultural offices of the Department of Agriculture, District Advisory Boards are being set up to provide for improved communications between the farming community and the Department. As a unique joint project between the Government of Prince Edward Island and Canada, new facilities will be constructed this year at the Federal Research Station in Charlottetown to provide for group meetings, seminars, and extension staff. These facilities are designed to strengthen the link between the farm family and the research and extension services of both levels of government. My Minister of Agriculture will outline a full program of artificial insemination, herd improvement, grain production and storage, feed analysis, pesticide testing, reforestation and woodlot management, veterinarian services and technical training. Additional staff employed by the department now makes possible the offering of these and other services in processing, marketing and farm management. My Ministers report that acceptance of the Crop Insurance programs is encouraging. Insurance on grain crops is being well received by the Agricultural Industry. A lower insurance rate on potatoes will be introduced, and a new program for tobacco growers will be initiated. The Agricultural Industry has found the need to face a series of adjustments affecting many of its areas of operation. In this respect, progress can be reported in Dairy Consolidation, Market Sharing Quotas and Commodity Marketing Boards. Further activity in these areas and others can be anticipated this year. My Ministers will outline, as well, progress in the activities of the Land Development Corporation, the Prince Edward Island Lending Authority, and the Natural Products Marketing Board. Our tourist industry has reported another excellent year with an increase of 12.9 percent in the number of vehicles entering the Province. The improvements in ferry and air services to the Province have stimulated interest and investment in additional services and facilities throughout the Province. Concurrent with this increasing activity is the need for policy objectives and long-term planning. A Planning Unit has been established and has operated during this past year within the Department of Tourist Development. My Government has developed policy to achieve the following objectives:-- (a) maintain continued growth in the industry; (b) lengthen the tourist season; (c) protect the landscape and environment; (d) assure public access to beach areas; (e) improve upon the number and quality of facilities and services: (f) provide a favourable climate for private investment; (g) encourage longer visits and higher levels of spending per visitor. With these objectives in mind, several new programs will be presented for your approval at this session. Increasing emphasis will be placed on highway safety in the design and construction of provincial highways. My Minister of Highways has incorporated several highway safety measures into the maintenance and construction phases of this program. The Department of Public Works has been strengthened in staff so that the co-ordination and management of all government building construction will be handled henceforth by this one department. In addition to the measures already specified, you will be asked to consider other legislative proposals, among them being: An Act to Control and Regulate the Use and Handling of Agricultural Chemicals. An Act Respecting the Distribution of Deductions made on the Purchase of Cattle with Horns. The Lightning Rod Act. An Act to Amend the Teachers Superannuation Act. An Act to Amend the Highway Advertisements Act. The Entertainments Tax Act, 1971. The Loans Act. The Prince Edward Island Nurses Act. The Parole Act. The Legislative Assembly Retirement Allowances Act. An Act to Amend the Credit Union Act. An Act to Amend the Insurance Act. The Licensing or Registration Act. An Act to Amend the Highway Traffic Act. The Lord's Day Act. An Act to Amend the Recreation Development Act. An Act to Amend the Garnishee Act. 39. 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, 1970, will be tabled for your information. The interim report, forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 1971, and estimates for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 1971, will also be presented for your consideration. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: One year ago, on the occasion of my first address to this Assembly, I outlined a wide variety of programs which my Government proposed for the citizens of our Province. Since then, much progress has been achieved in their implementation, and still further programs for the progress of our people are advanced for your consideration this year. The ultimate success of these and other initiatives will depend largely on the confidence we have in our future, the confidence we have in ourselves and the confidence we have in each other. If we lack confidence in our future endeavours we may, by default, find failure. However, by searching for achievement with confidence, mankind may be the beneficiary of endeavours. May Divine Providence guide your deliberations. ??