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 59 1 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne ??-06-1993 Hon. Marion L. Reid Lieutenant-governor Liberal P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, First Session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly, JUNE, 1993 It is my privilege and honour, in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to welcome you to this First Session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Aux membres récemment réélus à cette honorable assemblée législative, je souhaite toutes mes félicitations et la bienvenue à nouveau. A vous, nouveaux membres, je vous félicite tout particulièrement et vous souhaite bon succès en tant que législateurs et représentants du peuple. I also take this opportunity to congratulate the Assemblyman from the 5th District of Prince, the Honourable Nancy Guptill, on her election as Speaker of this Assembly. This Session holds particular historical significance, as it marks the 100th anniversary of Prince Edward Island's modern day Legislative Assembly. In 1893, representative government in the Province took on a new form as the old upper house, the Legislative Council, was abolished and a single house parliament was established. This, I believe, is a development in our political history worthy of commemoration, and it speaks of our rich heritage as one of the oldest parliamentary jurisdictions in Canada. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: On the 29th day of March, 1993, the people of this Province gave My Government a decisive mandate to formulate and effect public policy on their behalf over the next five year. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Critical choices lie ahead for Prince Edward Island, and we must make difficult decisions in a number of vital areas if we are to move toward a better and more prosperous future for our people. For most of this century, Prince Edward Island has been at a disadvantage in our national industrial economy disadvantaged in terms of resources, location and size. Those inherent disadvantages made us economically dependent on the rest of the country, and this economic dependency has to some degree sapped our confidence and our drive to become more self-reliant. Our disadvantaged position is also the result of national economic policy decisions which have favoured central Canada. Two and a half decades ago, this Province took sweeping reform measures to modernize and make more relevant its social and economic institutions, and to afford Prince Edward Island the opportunity to share more fully in the economic life of our country. Our resource-based industries, health and education systems, infrastructure, and the capabilities and resources of government, were transformed, and for the most part, greatly enhanced or improved. The Development Plan was an ambitious and bold attempt to bring Prince Edward Island into the post-industrial age. However, because of the disadvantages to which I have already referred, costly and tenacious efforts to develop a stronger manufacturing sector were largely unsuccessful . In retrospect, not becoming a "smokestack" industrial economy has been both a disappointment and a blessing. It is a disappointment because Prince Edward Island has been deprived of the employment opportunities and wealth creation that comes from a vibrant manufacturing sector. On the other hand, it also has been a kind of blessing since it has meant that we have missed the human and economic pain associated with the decline of once prosperous and strong manufacturing industries in central Canada. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The much used term "global economy" has become somewhat of a cliché, and yet My Government believes it holds truth and profound meaning for all of us. It speaks of a world in which national borders, and in a similar manner provincial and local borders, are less important, and in which investment, technology and information, goods and labour, move freely. It speaks of a world that is knowledge based, with people as its key resource. The time has come, once again, to rethink the role and purpose of our government, and to remodel our institutions and structures to better address the needs of Islanders in this rapidly-changing world. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The Development Plan, and initiatives of later administrations, created a wide array of government departments, agencies and related organizations patterned on those of other Canadian provinces. The piecemeal growth of those activities and structures, and the lack of coordination among them, created problems not just of overlap but even of conflict and working at cross purposes. My Government already has taken action to reduce the size of its bureaucracy, and to streamline and make more accessible the programs and services it delivers to Islanders. Over the past two months, the provincial administration has been downsized to eight integrated departments and ten crown agencies. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: You could say that for the first time in decades, we have a made in P.E.I. Government, and we expect this new organizational structure to bring some tangible benefits. These include a clearer, more understandable government, better use of human resources, more efficient use of administrative dollars, and, most important of all, unified goals and coordinated action. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The mandate of government's eight new departments point towards a single goal to develop Islanders' skills and capabilities, as well as their desire for social and economic self reliance and self-determination. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The central administration of government is not the only focus of our reform efforts. As I have already mentioned, other public institutions within our province are in the process of being transformed as well through study and community dialogue. Major reforms in the social policy domain will be debated during this session, and all Members will be afforded the opportunity to contribute to this debate. These reforms, to our educational and health care systems, will affect the daily lives of every Prince Edward Islander. In health care, the new approach is one that focuses on the whole person and his or her total environment, places greater emphasis on health promotion and illness prevention, and one that draws upon the full resources of the community. In education and training, we have a dual purpose. First of all, we must establish a school system in which all Island children can be assured of consistently high standards of curriculum content, resources, and teaching excellence. And secondly, we must develop a more highly skilled workforce that is able to take full advantage of the many opportunities to be found in our changing economy. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: There also is a need for Islanders to give attention to the political boundaries which separate us into municipal communities and electoral districts, and to carefully re examine these boundaries in light of demographic changes and other factors. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: During this Session, my First Minister will introduce a resolution to establish a Special Committee of this Legislature to deal with the sensitive but unavoidable issue of provincial electoral reform. This Committee will be mandated to sit intersessionally and after having held public hearings throughout the Province, will be asked to prepare a written report for presentation at the next Session of this Assembly. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Also during this Session, my Minister Responsible for Government Reform will table a White Paper on municipal reform within the Charlottetown and Summerside areas. This document will clearly present the issues around urban municipal reform, and set out options for achieving greater taxation and service equity within the above-mentioned areas. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The priorities of My Government over the next five years, as stated previously by my First Minister, are economic development, education and training, and deficit reduction. My Government recognizes, however, that the private sector must be more of a catalyst for economic growth. The role of the public sector is to help create an economic and social environment which promotes fair competition and allows entrepreneurs the freedom to succeed. It is the aim of My Government to assist Island business in every manner possible by minimizing regulation and red tape, by streamlining services, and by developing the most progressive tax system and labour environment in the country. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Prince Edward Island's ability to steer its own economic course has been very much affected by drastic cutbacks in federal transfer payments, and by the ongoing restructuring of the Canadian economy. But the decision taken two years ago to begin the reform of our public sector already is allowing the province greater flexibility, and has provided government with an improved structure to deal with the unforseen pulling away of federal responsibilities. Our ambitious reform initiative also promises to increase efficiency and effectiveness both in government and in the private sector. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: My Government intends to introduce a budget for the current fiscal year which reflects the key reforms I have been speaking about, and a budget that will lead to the elimination of the present deficit. At the same time, my Ministers are sensitive to the impact which government reform has on those individuals who receive their incomes from the public purse, and on the members of their families. Over the coming weeks, many difficult but necessary decisions will have to be taken, and My Government wishes to reassure our public servants, many of whom have given long and faithful service to Islanders, that these decisions will be made in a fair and responsible manner. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The measures outlined in my speech are directed at achieving a better, more capable government...a government that can utilize more effectively its resources in areas of greatest need or greatest potential...a government that is committed to sound financial management...a government that protects and enhances our ability to provide quality health care, education and other essential public services...and a government that will stimulate economic development throughout the Province. MADAME SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: In addition to the measures already outlined, you will be asked to consider a number of legislative proposals including: - Government Reorganization Act; - Loan Act; - Workers' Compensation Act. As well as amendments to: - Deposit Receipt Act; - Civil Service Act; - Income Tax Act; - Maintenance Enforcement Act. You will be asked to appropriate the funds for the services and payments required for the Assembly. The public accounts and reports of the various departments and agencies of My Government for the year ending March 31, 1992 will be tabled for your information. The interim report forecasting estimates, revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year which began on April 1, 1993, will be presented for your consideration. May Divine Providence guide you in your deliberations. ??