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 55 2 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne ??-02-1980 Hon. Dr. Joseph A. Doiron Lieutenant-governor Progressive Conservative P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the Fifty-fifth General Assembly, February, 1980 In the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, it is my privilege to welcome you to this Second Session of the Fifty-fifth General Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island. At the present time we are aware of the unsettled conditions which prevail in many parts of the world. Public life has been disrupted; public safety threatened. It is an opportune time for us to reaffirm our loyalty to our Queen, and to renew our commitment to the Parliamentary tradition which has been such a bulwark of freedom and order. I am honoured to have been appointed Her Majesty's representative in this Province. I am also conscious of my duties and responsibilities to all the people of Prince Edward Island, and I look forward joyfully to meeting many of them during my term of office. Though this is a small province there is a largeness in the spirit and loyalty of its people which makes me thankful to live here, and especially grateful for the opportunity to serve my fellow citizens in this present capacity. We are living in an age perplexed by change. In order for us to strike a sure course in the midst of this change we must possess a shared vision of the kind of society we wish to build together as Islanders. It must not be a vision which contains the false hope of prosperity based on someone else's resources; and it should not be a vision which is a mere reflection of the values and priorities of others. If it is to be worthwhile it must be our own vision; inspired by our own intentions; built by our own labour; supported by our own resources. Neither should it be a vision which is too narrow and rigid to contemplate change. We must recognize the need for appropriate innovation. If we are to build successfully upon what is available to us we must be a people who possess a spirit of initiative and enterprise. Only then will we succeed in turning our modest resources into a stable prosperity. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY As Honourable Members are aware, my Government has instituted a process of departmental reorganization to better reflect contemporary priorities and better serve the citizens of the Province. You will be asked to consider a Government Reorganization Act and an Executive Council Act to effect the legislative changes required for the reorganization. One important aspect of this reorganization will be the setting up of a Policy and Priorities Board. This body will be responsible for coordinating policy strategy across the entire range of government activities. It is intended that this approach will assure the greatest possible degree of coherence in provincial policy, and will provide a framework of priorities as a reference in our cost sharing negotiations with the Federal Government. The recently signed one year extension to phase two of the Comprehensive Development Plan will allow time for the Policy and Priorities Board to carefully evaluate the nature of present and future agreements with the Federal Government. Prince Edward Island, for more than a decade, has pursued growth within the framework of the Comprehensive Development Plan. During that time the income gap between the Province and the rest of Canada has changed little. Unemployment has continued as a serious problem and the economy as a whole has become more deeply reliant on transfer payments from the central government. In summary, economic development over the past few years has greatly increased the overhead of this Province without a corresponding increase in productivity and revenue. In the face of these sobering realities my Government has resolved not to feel bound by previous approaches to economic development. Rather, it is the Government's intention to take a fresh approach which ensures that all Federal-Provincial cost sharing arrangements are designed to complement our policies and priorities, and to lead more clearly in the direction of economic self sufficiency. My Government has already reached an agreement with the Federal Government to change the composition of the Joint Advisory Board in order to provide for ministerial participation on the federal side. It has also been agreed that in future federal funds will be provided to the Province according to a "block funding", arrangement rather than on a yearly basis. The present arrangement is unsatisfactory in that it has resulted in a yearly lapsing of available funds. Under the new agreement there will be no such annual loss to the Province. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY A further result of my Government's reorganization will be the creation of a new Department of Community Affairs. The last few decades have been a time of great emphasis on the individual and the rights of the individual. What we are beginning to understand, however, is that the individual cannot exist happily apart from the support and solidarity of the community. We are social beings; part of a web of hum. relationships, and part of a larger web which includes all life. In past years we have witnessed a serious breakdown of those family an neighbourhood bonds which were at the heart of vital community life. This has resulted in a wide-spread sense of loss, and the desire among our people for a restoration of shared community experience. To assist Islanders in this process of building up their communities my Government is in the process of developing an over-all Community Resource Strategy which will identify opportunities in the local communities across the Island. The goal is to increase community self-reliance, both economically and socially. Government action is not, of course, sufficient in itself. Private sector and voluntary initiative will be required to create a proper partnership. In this strategy of development the community will be the focal point--the meaningful unit of analysis. It is my Government's hope to initiate a process whereby identifiable local communities will become important again in their own right; where technology is employed to enhance rather than to undermine the quality of life in smaller communities; where jobs are created in the areas people choose to live; and where communities again become prospering centres with the range of services and activities necessary to attract permanent residents. Communities will be encouraged to take responsibility for more of the decisions which affect them in such areas as education, health, job creation, industrial development, culture, and public services. As communities become stronger and more self-reliant, the province as a whole will become stronger and richer for the experience. We intend to assist rural community centres in improving both the appearance and the economic performance of their business and main-street areas. It is a matter of concern to my Government that there are many Island communities which are handicapped by the condition of their roads. It is also a matter of concern that there are still approximately 1700 Island households without pavement, and that many of these householders have waited for many years for an improvement in this condition. It is the intention of my Government both to improve the quality of maintenance of these roads, and, at the same time, to embark in 1980 on a paving program which will result in the hard-surfacing of 100 kilometres of road each year for the next three years. As a result of consultation with the P.E.I. Fire Fighters Association, my Government has decided to offer special assistance during this year to individual fire companies with collection of fire dues in unincorporated areas. This is a move intended to guarantee fire protection for all residents of P.E.I. My Government will also support communities by recognizing the importance of cultural and recreational programs at the community level. Those activities which provide for the expression of community spirit, such as local historical societies, community theatre groups, and sport programs, will be encouraged and assisted. My Government recognizes that many of the same principles which apply to the community also apply to the family unit, and that these two important institutions are closely related in our society. The alarming breakdown of the family which can be witnessed at the present time is, therefore, a matter of great concern. Every attempt will be made to ensure that Government programs have the effect of reinforcing the family unit, rather than weakening it. It is widely recognized by Islanders that the school is an important ingredient of community life. With this in view Regional School Boards have been asked to re- examine their building priorities in light of new guidelines which emphasize that schools should serve Island communities. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY A necessary complement to revived community life across this Province is the wise use of our natural resources. They are the basis of our livelihood and must be developed in a manner which achieves the maximum value for our economy. We are committed to a program of economic development which seeks to strengthen these primary resources, and to encourage secondary economic activity based upon them. Our forests are perhaps the most under-utilized of the province's natural resources. Wood fibre has increased dramatically in value, and the opportunity is at hand to create a vital forest industry. My Government is in the process of developing genetically superior seedlings in an increasing number of species, and will strive for the capacity to produce one and a half million seedlings for replanting in 1980, five million by 1983, and ten million, if required, by 1985. Financial incentives and management assistance will be available to individuals and companies engaged in various aspects of the wood fuel industry. Similar assistance will be provided to woodlot owners, sawmill operators, and wood harvesters. We must continue to rely upon agriculture as our economic mainstay. In this area there will be a shift in emphasis towards the marketing aspect of the industry. Programs will be planned around a realistic assessment of market opportunities. An example of this new thrust will be the creation of a commodity development team within the Department of Agriculture which will work with the primary producers in identifying and developing markets. Another major intent of this agency will be to encourage diversification within agriculture. Vegetable production, especially cole crops, will receive special attention. To allow farmers to plan ahead, and to encourage greater stability within the industry generally, my Government will announce as far in advance as possible and anticipated changes in policy, and will initiate programs, such as a five year limestone policy, designed to remove uncertainty from the planning process. Around the world tourism has become a highly competitive industry. This is evident in the agressive marketing being conducted by tourism departments and other travel organizations. In order to guarantee the continued success of tourism on the Island my Government will institute research into the price and quality competitiveness of our industry. The results of this research will assist the department in establishing long range marketing strategies. Work will also be conducted towards the establishing of an Industry Advisory Service program which will provide up-to-date advice for operators when confronted with specific problems relating to the tourist industry. Another of our important natural resources is our fishery. In an attempt to encourage increased productivity, as well as the quality of the catch, my Government will promote the demonstration and adoption of new and improved catching and handling systems. Attempts will be made to extend employment in our seasonal fish processing plants by encouraging joint ventures with national or foreign fishing companies to provide the raw material from off shore resources. This will be supported by the improvement of our existing cold storage capacity to handle the block frozen fish when landed, and to store finished products when processed. My Government will also place a high priority on promoting the necessary improvement and expansion of our Island's fishing ports, and on upgrading the existing vessel subsidy program. Aquaculture will continue to maintain its high priority with my Government. Besides oyster farming, an already well establish program on the Island, the cultivation of mussels, quahogs, Irish Moss, and other marine products will be emphasized. In the area of industrial development my Government is committed to designing and implementing a strategy that will be based upon the indigenous resources of this Province--its products and its people. We will endeavour to accomplish this industrial strategy by such means as: - implementing a Resource Based Special Incentives Program which has been specifically designed to establish additional resource based processing activities in the Province. - staffing each regional services centre with a Business Development Officer to assist the regions in their efforts to create additional job opportunities; - providing administration grants to area industrial commissions to assist these commissions to function as a catalyst for industrial development in their area; - increasing the provision of funds in the Forgiveable Performance Loan Program administered by the department responsible for industrial development in the province. This program has particular emphasis on small business. My Government believes that while it can assist in the creation and expansion of job opportunities, in the final analysis jobs are created by the business community. Government's role is, therefore, to create an environment which will encourage the business community to seek out and establish new business ventures. Though direct job creation through public employment programs is a responsibility of the Federal Government, it is appreciated that Provincial support of such programs may result in increased opportunities for Islanders. During this Session of the Assembly, my Government will be presenting for the consideration of this House a policy paper on job creation. Outlined in this document will be an Employment Creation Strategy complete with the program mix which supports the strategy. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Having studied the project carefully my Government has concluded that it would be beneficial to both the region and the Island to have the Atlantic Veterinary School located in this province, provided that a suitable cost sharing formula can be worked out with the other Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government. It is the intention of my Government to proceed as quickly as possible to secure necessary arrangements with the other governments. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY To ensure the permanency of our natural resources it is necessary to husband them carefully. To accomplish this, my Government will take steps to implement the recommendations of the report, "Soil Erosion on Prince Edward Island". The Department of Agriculture and Forestry will attempt to heighten Islanders' awareness of this problem by making technical advice more readily available, and by conducting a number of practical demonstrations. Similarly, in order to avoid the mistakes made by the forest industry in many parts of the world, a resource management component will be included within the Province's developing forestry program. One responsibility of this program will be the presentation of an annual resource audit, beginning with a consideration of the forestry sector. Concern for the landscape of our Province will also be demonstrated by the acquisition of significant natural areas. My Government will work closely with the Island Nature Trust and other environmental and community groups in identifying, acquiring and managing such key natural areas. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY It is the belief of my Government that the strengthening of community life should, over time, result in a decrease in the involvement required of government in certain areas of health and social services. My Government will, however, continue to remain active in meeting those special needs of our citizens which are best served by the provincial government. It will: - improve cancer services, including the means for strengthening the role of the voluntary sector in educational and patient assistance services; - seek to assure the continuation and improvement of Medicare; - extend care for the chronically sick and disabled persons who can no longer be cared for, or live independently, in their own homes. Working groups will be established on a regional level to bring about improved home care services and to plan for necessary extended care facilities on a regional basis; In this same area you will be asked to consider a variety of legislative proposals: - a new Public Health Act to reflect significant changes in the public health field; - a Children's Act to better provide for the welfare of our children; - an act to assure reasonable means of access to buildings by physically disabled persons; - an act to amend the Human Rights Act to expand the definitions and applications to the physically disabled. My Government has received the report on Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment and Prevention Services on Prince Edward Island, and has initiated action to implement various recommendations from that report. During the coming year further action of this type will be taken. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY In order to provide more convenient access to government services, and to improve the delivery of government programs, my Government will effect a number of changes. For the convenience of citizens seeking information and services from government in Summerside and Charlottetown my Government will provide improved central facilities for information and services in both those locations. This concept will be developed through the new Department of Community Affairs and will complement the services of line departments. The services of the housing corporation will be decentralized with an estimated 12-16 positions being located at the service centers in O'Leary, Summerside, Souris and Montague. The presence of full time staff will mean these areas will enjoy a level of services for housing programs that has previously been available only in Charlottetown. For the better financial management of the province a new Financial Administration Act and a revised Audit Act will be introduced to the Assembly for your consideration. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY The opportunities for P.E.I. that exist in the energy field lie in redoubled efforts to use energy more efficiently, and in developing and expanding our use of renewable sources, particularly wood. By investing our capital in energy conservation and renewable energy sources we will create jobs in the Island's economy, reduce the outflow of dollars, improve the security of our energy supply, and improve the quality of our forest resource. To begin our journey on this path my Government will: - negotiate a new agreement with the Federal Government to carry on the work already begun in energy conservation and renewable energy; - take the lead by demonstrating the value of energy conservation and by converting to wood fuel in a number of its own buildings; - develop an "energy from refuse" project which will provide steam to generate electricity while saving some 20,000 barrels of fuel oil per year; - build a cogeneration plant which will provide both electricity and heat from wood; - encourage the homeowner to invest in energy conservation, and the automobile purchaser to buy more efficient vehicles; - make special efforts to manage the electrical system so that the growth rates are reduced to one half of their recent levels. This can be done without inhibiting economic development; - develop a demonstration plant for producing ethanol from waste potatoes. These measures will require the cooperation of all Islanders. They demand the development of an "energy consciousness" which is likely to serve us well in the years to come. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY In addition to the measures already specified you will be asked to consider a variety of legislative proposals including: - a new Employment Standards Act to assure adequate protection for unorganized workers; - a new Municipal Grants Act to provide for the method of calculating municipal grants; - an act to amend the Summary Proceedings Act to permit the payment of fines for certain provincial offences by mail; - an act to amend the Credit Union Act to enable Credit Unions to charge competitive rates for loans; - an act to amend the Jury Act to increase the daily allowances paid to persons under Jury Duty; - an act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to increase the minimum requirement for public liability insurance to $100,000 and to increase to $300 the maximum figures for the compulsory report of collision damages. This assembly will be asked to consider an act to amend the School Act. This will make it mandatory for Regional School Boards to provide instruction in French to Francophone children where a sufficient number of such children seeking instruction in French are identified. In addition to the measures already specified you will be asked to appropriate the funds 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, 1979 will be tabled for your information. The interim report, forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1980, and estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1981, will also be presented for your consideration. MR. SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY The general uncertainty within the economy at the present time has had the inevitable effect of reducing the growth of revenues, thereby limiting the range of government activities. It is a challenging time; but it is also a time of opportunity. Working together Islanders can meet the challenges of the present, and look forward to the future with optimism. May Divine Providence guide your deliberations. ??