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 2 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 09-03-1994 Hon. Marion L. Reid Lieutenant-governor Liberal P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly, MARCH 09th, 1994 Fellow Islanders, it is my privilege and honour, in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to welcome you to this Second Session of the Fifty-Ninth General Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Historians often have spoken about the larger Island family, and of our many accomplishments as a community. Indeed, for the people of this province the family is an enduring and sacred institution. 1994 is United Nations International Year of the Family and throughout the world individuals and nation states, of every race and culture, will be celebrating the family. Let us make the family our special mission in 1994. With attendant love, commitment, and mutual respect, let us do our best to reinforce family life in all its dimensions. The larger Island family, of course, is comprised of many cultural groups, and My Government seeks to promote a better understanding of, and respect for, this multicultural heritage. De plus, nous continuons à subvenir à des besoins sociaux et économiques particuliers de la communauté francophone de la province, par l'entremise de la prestation de services gouvernementaux en français. Au cours de l'année qui vient de s'écouler, le gouvernement de l'Ile a conclu une deuxième Entente-cadre quinquennale sur la promotion des langues officielles avec le gouvernement fédéral. Prince Edward Islanders always have placed a great value on higher education. The graduates of Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan's University have made their contributions not only at home, but in just about every corner of North America. These two institutions were the building stones of our present University and Technical College, both of which celebrate their 25th Anniversary in 1994. The past year certainly had its great sporting highlights. Islanders welcomed the Province's first professional hockey team in the P.E.I. Senators, Charlottetown's David Eli MacEachern became a world champion bobsledder, and the Town of Summerside was successful in its bid to host the 1994 Mens' World Softball Championship. Taking the Reform Path Less than one year ago, My Government embarked upon an ambitious program of reform. We recognized that many of our public institutions, and government itself, needed to change fundamentally if they were to meet the expectations, the needs, and the financial realities of the 1990s. These institutional reforms have been carried out with care, they have pursued laudable objectives, and they have drawn upon the knowledge and advice of many ordinary citizens. In short, they have been created by Islanders, for Islanders. Reforming our health care system, for example, has been a great challenge, and yet we know that to retain the status quo would be to put at risk many of the publicly-funded services we now enjoy. Therefore, health care reform will continue in 1994, and with the recent establishment of the five new Regional Health Boards, My Government now will begin to focus its efforts on the development of a new community-based, health system. A new Geriatric Assessment Program will be introduced in the coming year, and My Government will begin a four-year demonstration project in partnership with the federal government and the Canadian and P.E.I. Associations for Community Living, to examine the effectiveness of existing supports and services for persons who have an intellectual disability. Change is seldom a comforting experience, Madam Speaker, for it asks us to question our conventional ways of doing things. It brings uncertainty and, almost always, it requires personal sacrifice. But change also promises hope and rebirth, and My Government is confident that the current reforms of our health care, education, electoral, and municipal systems will strengthen Island society, and generate a spirit of renewed optimism and security. Priorities of Government Within the general context of the reforms which I have just described, the agenda of My Government continues to be dominated by three priorities . . . Economic Development, Education, and Deficit Reduction. Creating the Climate for Economic Growth My Government knows that for Prince Edward Island to become stronger and more self- reliant as a province, our economy must be developed to its full potential. During this session, Madam Speaker, the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism will be presenting, for the consideration of all Members and the business community, a Strategy which outlines government's role and direction in economic development. This strategy suggests that while government should work in partnership with the private sector, business must take the lead role. The role of government, Madam Speaker, is to help create a favourable environment in which business and industry can prosper. This can be achieved in part through progressive taxation and regulation, by targeting investment and financial incentives more strategically, and by continuing to develop necessary infrastructure. During the coming year, My Government will complete a major overhaul of its inspection services, to reduce and streamline the regulatory burden on the private sector while preserving and promoting high standards of safety and service quality. Throughout much of this century, Madam Speaker, Islanders have been at a disadvantage economically because of the high costs and uncertainty associated with both transportation and the provision of electrical energy. Our transportation disadvantage will be lessened significantly with the completion of the Northumberland Strait bridge. In fact, the fixed crossing promises to put Island business, and especially our primary industries, on a more competitive footing, and will result in new opportunities for tourism. Successive governments, Madam Speaker, have worked to provide the people of Prince Edward Island with secure, reasonably-priced electrical energy. This has been a long and frustrating saga in Island political life, but one which is about to end. In the coming months, this Province's electrical consumers will become customers of the New Brunswick Power Corporation, one of the most advanced and stable electrical utilities in Canada. Moreover, this complex transfer of ownership, in about two years time, will give Island residential, commercial and industrial users, rate parity with their New Brunswick neighbours. It is important to point out, Madam Speaker, that New Brunswick residents currently enjoy the lowest electrical rates in the Atlantic region. Beginning this year, My Government also will be working closely with our municipalities to develop and improve existing local infrastructure, under the recently-announced Canada/Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Works Program. This program will inject millions of dollars into the Island's economy over a two-year period, generating much-needed employment, and making our communities better places in which to live. Along with improving our traditional infrastructure, we also must work to develop new infrastructure that will allow us to communicate and do business in this information world. My Government, together with the private sector, is building an electronic highway for Prince Edward Island. PEINet, as it is called, will enable all Islanders regardless of where they live, to access information from around the world. This new electronic mail service will be the backbone of other initiatives, such as the Island Health Information System announced last year. And while the Island Health Information System is being developed primarily to improve the efficiency of the health care system, it also will produce its own economic opportunities, making possible new medical research and clinical trials. In order to compete successfully in the new world economy, Madam Speaker, businesses are being asked to meet rigorous quality standards. To assist them, My Government is establishing a Centre for Quality Excellence at Holland College in Summerside. The Centre will provide resource materials, training, and advisory services to Island businesses, to help them meet the requirements of the international marketplace. Adding value to our agricultural and fisheries products continues to be a major avenue of economic opportunity. Therefore My Government will expand the Food Technology Centre's mandate giving it freedom to participate as a business partner with the private sector, in food development projects which have the potential to create significant economic growth. This expanded mandate will enable the Centre to transfer technology more easily, and to commercialize value-added food initiatives. Unquestionably, Madam Speaker, there are some activities and services of government that are being carried out in competition with the private sector, and some assets of government that would be better utilized by the community. My Government's Community Investment Strategy has sought to identify these activities, services, and assets, and in the coming year several initiatives will be undertaken. Our Primary Industries My Government continues to recognize the vital importance of Prince Edward Island's primary resource industries and we remain committed to the sustained growth and development of farming, fisheries and forestry operations. There are encouraging prospects for expanded production. For example, the past year has seen a record acreage in potatoes; soybeans, and blueberries; the highest-ever harvest of mussels; and a significant increase in lumber production. The new Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has focused on ways to increase the self-reliance of our farmers, fishermen, and woodlot owners and workers. The main goal is to improve the quality of services and reduce costs. A Farm Business Management Program is being established Madam Speaker, to help producers achieve higher levels of production efficiencies and profits. A loan program for hog producers has been introduced which already has led to increases in hog production. As well, a pooling system for Island grain and oilseeds producers is being introduced through the Grain Elevators Corporation. And a comprehensive safety net program for our primary producers is being developed. My Government will build on these achievements during the coming year. Tourism Tourism is one industry with seemingly unlimited economic potential for Prince Edward Island. 1993 was a banner year, with more than 690,000 visitors coming to the Province, representing not only a seven percent increase in people, but also a $20 million increase in revenue. It is the goal of My Government and the industry to increase tourism expenditures by a further ten percent in 1994. My Government is pleased, Madam Speaker, that the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island has been chosen to manage the new Atlantic Canada Tourism Marketing Agreement. This $13 million agreement with the federal government will provide important new funding for marketing Atlantic Canada as a major tourism destination. My Government also will continue its efforts to improve Prince Edward Island's tourism infrastructure in 1994. A Confederation Trail will be established along segments of the old rail line, allowing the Province to capture a share of the steadily-growing hiking and biking tourism market. Generally speaking, Prince Edward Island is well positioned to capitalize on "green tourism", with our natural beauty, unique heritage and culture. As well, Madam Speaker, planning and design work for the renovation and expansion of the existing museum and other facilities at Basin Head will commence in 1994. Preparing for the Future Education, Madam Speaker, is a high priority of My Government. Despite our serious deficit problems, increased resources will continue to be allocated to our education system in the coming year, especially for library resources, computers, and for human resource development. Our children deserve the best opportunities available to develop the attitudes, skills, and competencies necessary for them to succeed in this demanding knowledge-based economy. Administrative and organizational changes in education have proceeded in tandem with an increased emphasis on outcomes, standards, and assessment. Provincial assessments in Mathematics, English and French are being developed at the Grade 12 level, to help guide curriculum development and measure student achievement. My Government expects that the current federal government review of income security programs will result in a much greater emphasis on skills training. In anticipation of this, Madam Speaker, a Provincial Commissioner of Training and Adult Learning has been appointed, to help identify present and future training needs, and to explore additional opportunities for the development of training as an industry on Prince Edward Island. My Government also will initiate discussions with the federal government to develop a comprehensive program for single employable adults who are now receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits, in an effort to improve their skills and reduce their dependency on government. Balancing the Budget With federal transfer payments to the Province reduced by more than $100 million over the past three years, with interest payments on our debt now amounting to nearly seventeen percent of our total spending, and with a resistance amongst all Canadians to further tax increases, Prince Edward Island must act decisively to get its financial house in order. My Government knows that given the circumstances strong leadership is required, and strong leadership, Madam Speaker, will be provided. In last year's Budget Speech, the Provincial Treasurer implemented a three-year plan designed to eliminate the present deficit. For the most part, My Government hasbeen successful in controlling expenditures and t the first- get is proving to be elusive. Madam Speaker, we are not discouraged by this. On the contrary, our plan to balance the budget by the end of 1996 is still firmly in place, and our resolve is strong. We are now convinced, however, that reaching this goal can be accomplished only if all segments of the Island community share in the sacrifice. My Provincial Treasurer soon will be presenting to the Members of this Assembly a budget, containing new spending targets for all government departments and agencies, as well as a revised plan to balance the budget in two years. Listening to Islanders My Government believes it is necessary to consult with the people of the Province on important matters of public policy, and before it makes decisions which affect the community as a whole. To this end, my Community Consultative Committee has sought the views of Islanders on a number of vital issues over the past year. Prior to executive decisions being taken, the Committee met with people throughout the Province to discuss proposed changes to the educational system and amendments to the Workers' Compensation Act. My Minister Responsible for Government Reform has carried out extensive discussions with every municipality potentially affected by the proposed municipal amalgamations in the Charlottetown and Summerside regions. Broad public consultation also has taken place with respect to provincial budget planning. My Provincial Treasurer held initial pre-budget consultations during the latter part of 1993 with selected groups, and he followed this up with a series of public meetings across the Province. This dialogue around our collective financial future has been very beneficial. In every part of the Province, Islanders demonstrated insight and wisdom in putting forth their views and much of their advice will be reflected in My Government's upcoming Budget Speech. My Government, Madam Speaker, also has afforded Islanders the opportunity to express their views and opinions on the issue of provincial electoral reform. The Elections Act and Electoral Boundaries Commission, chaired by the Councillor from Fourth Queens, will present its findings and recommendations for the consideration of all Members of this Assembly. My Government is listening to Islanders, and will continue to rely upon their ideas, views and unique expertise, as we confront the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Reforming Parliament Earlier in this Speech, I spoke about My Government's commitment to reforming, and making more effective, our public institutions. That spirit of reform, Madam Speaker, should also be present here, in our tiny Parliament. For democracy is a living thing which evolves over time, and its institutions, though embedded in tradition, also must be responsive to positive change. In particular, the role and function of our Legislative Assembly needs to be more clearly defined, and better understood and appreciated by both elected officials and those whom they represent. A broad range of matters should be considered, including the role and responsibilities of the MLA, and of the Speaker and other House officers; the length and timing of sessions; the daily routine of the House; its internal rules; services provided to Members; the role and function of Committees; public access to House documentation and proceedings; and the merits of establishing a Law Amendments Standing Committee to afford the public the opportunity to examine legislation before it is passed. The purpose of such a review will be to make our Legislative Assembly a more effective and powerful instrument of democratic government. This Assembly, Madam Speaker, is a place of free debate, a place where the policies and decisions of government are scrutinized, and where legislation is given shape and authority. Central to this legislative process, Madam Speaker, is a well-informed general public that has unfettered access to the broad realm of information which is the basis of government decision-making. My Government believes Islanders have a right to know about the workings of their bureaucracy, and how their tax dollars are being spent. Madam Speaker, two Special Committees will be established during this Session. The first will carry out a comprehensive review of the Legislative Assembly Act, and address the many issues surrounding the role, function and operations of this House. This committee will meet inter-sessionally, and make recommendations to all Members at the next Session. The second committee, Madam Speaker, will be asked to review current policies and practises in other jurisdictions with respect to freedom and privacy of information, and to bring forward appropriate legislation for the consideration of Members, also at the next Session. Protecting the Integrity of our Political Institutions There are a few who believe that our democratic institutions are unassailable, and that somehow we can afford to take them for granted, while continuing to enjoy the social and political security these institutions have represented for generations. Our democracy certainly is strong, Madam Speaker, but we must safeguard it, and seize every opportunity to elevate our democratic institutions in the minds and hearts of the people. My Government is keenly aware of the public cynicism towards all politicians and governments. Our new Prime Minister has confronted this issue, and his government is introducing measures intended to strengthen our Federal Parliament. In a similar fashion, Madam Speaker, My Government wishes to strengthen that bond of trust which exists between the people and their elected representatives. Consequently My Government will introduce legislation early in this Session to establish an independent and permanent Commission for the purpose of determining the salaries, allowances and pension benefits of Members of this Assembly. This Commission, Madam Speaker, will be comprised of three eminent Islanders, appointed by the unanimous consent of this House, and their decisions will be final and binding in every instance. Our elected representatives, Madam Speaker, are employees of the people, and yet over the years they have been placed in the impossible position of having to set their own terms and conditions of employment. Unfortunately, and unintentionally, this has been seen as compromising their role as servants of the people. The establishment of the independent Commission, Madam Speaker, will ensure that Members of this Assembly will not be asked to make such decisions in the future. Our Legislative Program My Government's legislative program for this Session is intended to encourage efficiency and innovation, reduce duplication and red tape, make services and information more accessible, and more generally, to enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of our public service. Substantive amendments to the existing Municipalities Act will create a constitutional framework for the newly-amalgamated urban communities of the Province, setting out provisions for the composition and election of new councils, the enactment of bylaws, taxation and services, and administration. Volunteerism is an integral part of Island life. The Good Samaritan Act will protect our volunteer firefighters, and others who render volunteer assistance in emergency response situations, against liability for injuries or property damage. Major amendments to the Workers Compensation Act will ensure that an affordable, effective, and comprehensive wage loss compensation system is maintained in the Province. Amendments to the Legislative Assembly Retirement Allowances Act will be proposed, to terminate the existing pension plan for Members of the Legislative Assembly effective June 30, 1994. Amendments to the School Act also will be proposed. In addition, a number of other legislative proposals will be brought forward for the consideration of all Members, including: - A new Guardianship Act - A new Justice Act - A new Energy Efficiency Act - An act to amend the School Act - An act to amend the Public Health Act - An act to amend the Environmental Protection Act - An act to amend the Legislative Assembly Act You will be asked also to appropriate the funds for the services and payments required by this Assembly. The public accounts and reports of the various departments and agencies of My Government for the year ending March 31, 1993, will be tabled. The estimates of revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year which begins April 1, 1994, will be presented for your consideration. Madam Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Fellow Islanders: Let us thank the Lord for His love, for His marvels on behalf of His people. Let us extol Him at the Great Assembly and praise Him in these Chambers. May His kindness be upon us to make all we do succeed.