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 2 Discours du Trône/Speech from the Throne 14-03-1967 Hon. Willibald J. MacDonald Lieutenant-governor Liberal P.E.I: Speech from the Throne, Second Session of the Fifty-First General Assembly, MARCH 14th, 1967 In the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, it is my privilege to welcome you to this the second session of the fifty-first General Assembly of the Province of Prince Edward Island In this Centennial Year, we meet at a time of great significance to all Canadians, and I am pleased to observe the many commendable ways in which the people of Prince Edward Island have chosen to celebrate and commemorate the 100th Anniversary of our Confederation. My Government believes firmly that Canada's stature as a force for good among the nations of the world, and a nation dedicated to unity at home, will be strengthened as our cultural and economic wealth are developed and shared by its people. My Government is dedicated to the development and strengthening of this smallest province as an equal partner in our Canadian Confederation, and is determined to provide, for the people it serves, a standard of living commensurate with Canadians elsewhere in our country. We are happy that Her Majesty, the Queen Mother, together with other notable and distinguished guests, will join with us here on Prince Edward Island in our Centennial celebrations this year. During the course of this Session, you will be afforded the opportunity to study the framework within which a comprehensive Resources Development Program will be formulated, and my Government will place before you a white paper on economic development. You will be asked to approve legislation providing for the planning and implementation of this program. My Ministers report that the most recent Federal-Provincial fiscal conference in Ottawa has provided this province with more favourable grants which will assist my Government greatly in financing the cost of its various programs. Since the last session of this Assembly it has pleased me to name one from among you, Mr. Robert E. Campbell, to my Executive Council as a Minister without Portfolio. My Government is represented by legal counsel before the Supreme Court of Canada during its adjudication of the Governor-in-Council's reference to it of the complex jurisdictional question concerning the rights relating to off-shore mineral deposits. My Government is encouraged by the national recognition received by the various cultural and artistic activities carried on at Confederation Centre, and, in particular, by the theatrical performances presented there. This year the musical adaptation of Lucy Maude Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables", which had its premiere stage performance in this Province at Confederation Centre, will tour Canada. My Government is, therefore, anxious to outline its proposals for meeting the financial needs of this Centre. My Ministers have informed me that the salary scales for the Civil Servants of this Province are lower than those prevailing in our neighbouring provinces. Consequently, you will be asked to vote additional sums to provide for salary increases here. You will be asked to approve Legislation to provide a more advantageous borrowing facility for the province's municipalities and school districts. You will be asked to amend the Election Act, 1963, and to extend the voting franchise to include all citizens from the age of eighteen years. A major extension of the A.R.D.A. program has been achieved in co-operation with the Government of Canada. My Ministers propose to make increasing use of this program for water conservation, land improvement projects and for land consolidation for farmers requiring larger farm units. My Government will continue its negotiations with the Government of Canada for the purpose of developing expanded markets and more advantageous credit arrangements to meet the short, medium and long-term credit requirements of Island farmers. My Ministers have welcomed the opportunity to work with the Federation of Agriculture on marketing and farm machinery problems. These, and other co-operative efforts, will be continued. A policy of seasonal licenses for trucks will be implemented by my Government this year. To encourage greater crop yield further, my Government proposes to continue payment of its fertilizer subsidy. My Government recognizes the value of high quality forage as livestock feed. Pasture experiments will be conducted to assess the value of irrigation as a means of improving the productivity of pasture land. My Government proposes to conduct an inspection of all potato fields planted for the production of table potatoes, and to co-ordinate the efforts of the Provincial Inspectors, in this regard, with the work of the Canada Department of Agriculture Plant Protection Services. A qualified person will be employed to direct this undertaking. Technological advances in farming methods have assisted our farmers in achieving greater efficiency and higher incomes. The need for more technical services and assistance is apparent. My Government, therefore, proposes to engage qualified personnel to assist in this area of agricultural development. My Government is preparing to outline a new Crop Insurance Policy, offering more realistic coverage for potatoes and grain, when the details of this program have been finalized with the Crop Insurance Agency. You will be asked to provide the necessary funds to inaugurate a three year silo construction subsidy program. My Government will increase its assistance to farmers in order to protect the potato industry against crop diseases. My Government proposes to continue its program of consolidating elementary schools. Concurrent with this program, our existing high schools will come under detailed study in order to determine the feasibility of some consolidation at this level so that all young people, in every part of the province, will have equal educational opportunities. The recent appointment of a provincial Director of Guidance and Special Education fills a long-felt need. Under his direction more attention will be given to children who are handicapped as a result of deafness, blindness, or mental retardation. To commemorate our Canadian Centennial, my Government will establish substantial scholarships for young people attending institutions of higher education in this province. My Government will continue the program of vocational and technical education in this province, and, with the assistance of the Government of Canada, will expand the facilities for postsecondary vocational and technical education, and for the training and re-training of adults in technical skills. The future of higher education in the province is of deep concern to my Government. Consequently, legislation will be provided to ensure the orderly development of our facilities and the equitable distribution of funds appropriated for higher education, and increased grants will be provided for University purposes. My Government has established a system of free textbooks for students in Grades One to Eight. This system will be extended this year to include Grades Nine and Ten. The salary increases for school teachers proposed by my Government will benefit each member of the teaching profession. A complete revision and redrafting of the School Act is already underway in the Department of Education. My Ministers report that a Planning Group is making encouraging progress in appraising a program for pre-school education. In recognition of the pre-eminent importance of the large portion of our population made up of the young citizens of Prince Edward Island, my Government will present legislation establishing a new Division of Youth Affairs. This action is designed to encourage constructive youth activities and youth organizations, and, at the same time, to stimulate interest in the social, cultural, recreational and specialist training of our youth for leadership in the many facets of community life. To provide additional facilities for our senior citizens, two homes for Chronic Care are now under construction. Senior Citizen Homes and Public Housing Units will be constructed in those areas where the need and demand are demonstrated. Total landings of sea products have increased by 34 per cent during the past season. This increase has, however, been accompanied by a decline in the catch and value of shell fish. My Government has taken steps to alleviate the financial hardship of those affected here. My Government will propose a new Fishermen's Loan Act to meet the present needs of this vital industry. Research and exploration will be expanded and intensified in a wide range of promising fisheries projects. Cold storage facilities will be made more readily available to our fishing industry under the terms of a new agreement now being concluded with the Government of Canada. My Ministers inform me that much time and effort have been devoted to the province's industrial development. My Government is assisting many of our industrial enterprises to continue to expand their operations. My Government has demonstrated its determination to resolve existing difficulties associated with these matters by: (a) Working in close liaison with Industry and Industrial Enterprises Incorporated in providing technical and financial assistance; (b) Engaging the services of a business consultant to the Prince Edward Island Industrial Corporation; (c) Appointing a Royal Commission to investigate and make recommendations consistent with the public interest and the general welfare of the Province. You will be asked to approve the expenditure of substantial sums of money to meet the needs of these industries, thereby strengthening the industrial base of our economy. My Government is working confidently with Industrial Enterprises Incorporated, and other agencies, in the promotion of, and negotiations for, new industry. My Government proposes to complete the upgrading of the section of the Trans-Canada Highway extending from Borden to Wood Islands, during this present year. My Government will expand its programme for construction of all-weather roads in West Prince and Kings Counties. The demands of all sectors of a developing economy demonstrate the need for co- ordinated and systematic current planning of highway construction programs. My ministers are following closely the Atlantic Provinces Transportation Report now under study by the Government of Canada. As a consequence of the negotiations being carried on in this regard, my Government anticipates the development of a comprehensive program of financial assistance from the Government of Canada. In the light of these negotiations, extensive, long-range plans will be announced to meet the projected requirements of our Province. As an intermediate step, my Government will sign a new agreement, this year with the Federal Government, enabling highway and bridge construction to be proceeded with under conditions most advantageous to this Province. My Government is encouraged by the progress of its negotiations with the Government of Canada for the establishment, expansion and improvement of parks within the Province My Government, in co-operation with the other Atlantic Provinces, is actively participating in the 1967 World Exposition, to be held in Montreal this year. My Government proposes to encourage the improvement of dining and food services, as well as accommodation and recreation facilities throughout the Province. An 18-hole golf course at Brudenell Park is now under construction. As a Centennial Year project, you will be asked to provide special grants to the Rural Beautification Society and to the Division of Rural and Urban Beautification. The Travel Bureau has proceeded with a program to film, in color, an account of our Province's Centennial Year events as a permanent record of this important milestone in the history of this Province. My Government has established an effective Department of Labour which will put into effect a dynamic program for the training and re-training of our manpower resources. In cooperation with other departments, improvements will be made in vocational and apprenticeship training. You will be asked to change the name of this Department to "Department of Labour and Manpower Resources" In Aug. 1966, a strike by Canadian National Railway employees disrupted ferry service between Port Borden and Cape Tormentine. A priority system of transportation was successfully set up at Wood Islands to handle traffic until my Government was able to negotiate with the crews to commence operations again. Consultations with all parties concerned are being held, and will continue to be held, until a satisfactory solution to the problems relating to continuous operation of the ferries at Borden is reached. You will be asked to consider a Vacation Pay Act, and an Industrial Standards Act. My Government has again participated in the Winter Works Program. To encourage and promote the further beautification of the Province, 100% of the labor costs of beautification projects will be paid. My Government will propose enabling legislation to classify and certify designated trades. My Government will propose amending legislation to give greater effect to The Equal Pay Act and the Industrial Relations Act. My Government has approved and encouraged the formation of the Labour Management Relations Council. In co-operation with the Government of Canada, my Government will institute a program of research to be designated "P.E.I. Newstart" My Government is anxious to make available, to all our citizens, adequate medical care service. To this end, a committee has been established to study The Medical Care Act -- Federal Bill C227-- and all phases of medical care related to it, and to report to my Government on methods of implementing and financing a medical care program for this province. My Government notes with satisfaction the increasing utilization, of the facilities and services provided by the Division of Laboratories of the Department of Health, by the medical profession of this province, and will endeavour to expand these services, as required, and to increase their effectiveness and scope by automation, where necessary. My Government's endeavour is to take advantage of the provision of the Canada Assistance Act for the benefit of many of our needy citizens. Cooperation between the Departments of Health and Welfare, in providing custodial care for former patients of Riverside Hospital, will result in improved care facilities for 160-special-care-patients who have now qualified for Federal Assistance. The resultant annual saving to the provincial treasury is estimated at $200,000. My Government regrets the loss to the province, in the early part of last year, of its only orthopaedic surgeon. This seriously threatened the continued operation of the Rehabilitation Centre. My Government has taken corrective measures in this regard, and has taken steps to make the facilities of this institution available to a wider range of patients, declaring it an open hospital for rehabilitation and convalescent care. My Government has been greatly encouraged by the response, from the medical profession, to the invitation to make fuller use of this hospital, which now has a medical staff of 20 doctors. My Government has arranged for the periodic visits of two orthopaedic surgeons to this hospital on a monthly basis. My Government will initiate a plan to provide financial assistance for the training of dentists, and will provide a guaranteed loan plan for the establishment of dental practices in areas of need within the Province. My Government has extended its health immunization program to provide for protection against measles. My Government views with satisfaction the rapid decline, in this Province, of tuberculosis. This has resulted in the vacating of a large section of the Provincial Sanatorium. My Government has decided to use this space to the fullest extent, and will provide beds for approximately 30 invalid and chronic care patients not accepted in general hospitals under the Regulations of the Hospital and Diagnostic Services Insurance Act. Fifty percent of the cost of this new care program will be shared with the Government of Canada, under the provisions of the Canada Assistance Act. My Government has established, with the Department of Health, the Division of Food Control, which will promote closer inspection of food products as well as the inspection for proper sanitation of food handling, catering establishments, and tourist accommodations. My Government has recognized its Department of Municipal Affairs in order to provide for greater efficiency in the expansion of its services. The Planning Division of this Department will cooperate with the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Atlantic Development Board in the detailed planning of the Borden Area. My Government views the planning of this area as a matter of the utmost importance because of the anticipated changes and industrial expansion which will occur as a result of the construction of the Northumberland Strait Crossing. My Government has cooperated with the Towns of Borden and Montague in extending provincial planning services to these municipalities. My Government has established the Prince Edward Island Water Authority to control the use of all surface, ground, and shore waters, and to insure an adequate supply of clean water for industrial, commercial, and domestic purposes. This authority will also originate programs designed to control the pollution of our water resources. My Government has established a program which will provide financial assistance to municipal corporations for the collection and treatment of domestic sewage. My Government views the problem of pollution, accentuated by our growing food processing industry, as a matter of urgent concern to this Province. This problem is being attacked aggressively by my Government, working closely with the industries involved. Financial assistance for pollution abatement will be made available by the Atlantic Development Board, and my Government believes that present projects already initiated or planned will reduce the pollution of the Harbours at Charlottetown and Georgetown, as well as in the Morell River, and the water sources of the Town of Kensington. My Government will introduce legislation to permit the Water Authority to construct and operate water and sewage facilities. My Government has placed the Division of Sanitary Engineering under the direction of the Water Authority. This Division will continue with its previous work in the sanitary engineering and inspection field, and will provide the professional staff required for water resources inspection, and pollution control. My Government will provide a program of assistance for rural fire fighting in order to improve this service in all rural areas and fishing ports. My Government will provide legislation for the incorporation of rural fire fighting brigades, and for the incorporation of companies for other area or municipal development purposes. My Government has diligently reappraised its program of Welfare and Health Services, and has taken full advantage of applicable cost-sharing programs under the Canada Assistance Act. Large savings to this Province have resulted, while, at the same time, services have been improved and extended. My Government is pleased that its program of supplementary allowance to Old Age Pensioners is now implemented, and this program will be continued with the financial assistance of the Government of Canada. My Ministers inform me that a centre for the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of alcoholism has been established in the Province, and my Government has been pleased to cooperate in the establishment, development and maintenance of this valuable public service. You will be asked to provide further sums to enable my Government to supplement the needs of widows and their dependent children. My Government has assisted in establishing a school at the Provincial Sanatorium for children and young adults who are victims of cerebral palsy. My Government will share in the cost of special drugs essential to needy individuals. My Government is now providing more generous assistance to Welfare Agencies. You will be asked, in this Session, to consider many pieces of amending legislation, to be presented for enactment. Among these are included: The Trustee Act, The lnterpretation Act, The Jury Act, The Chancery Act, The Magistrates Act, The Liquor Control Act, The Land Survey Act, The Village Service Act, The Racing Commission Act, The Coroners Act, The Town and Village Debenture Guarantee Act, The Vital Statistics Act, The Premarital Health Act, The Venereal Disease Prevention Act, The Civil Service Superannuation Act, The Audit Act, The lnsurance Act, The Companies Act, The Licensing and Registration Act, The Workman's Compensation Act. 79. 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, 1966, will be tabled for your information. The Interim Report, forecasting estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 1967, and estimates for the fiscal year, beginning April 1, 1967, will also be presented for your consideration. MR SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Concluding, it is appropriate, at this point in our Nation's Centennial Year, here in our Island's Legislature, that we rededicate our untiring efforts to, and reconfirm our confidence in, the promising future of our country. Let us, in this regard, ever be mindful of that eloquent challenge, voiced by our late Governor-General, whose death has so saddened the hearts of all: "Each of us", said General Vanier, "can make his own contribution to our country's unity. Let us lift our thoughts from selfishness to the good of the whole Nation." In this spirit, then, let Divine Providence motivate and guide your deliberations. ??