The Fourth Session of the Sixty-First General Assembly was opened this afternoon by His Honour, J. Léonce Bernard, Lieutenant Governor.
The theme of the Binns government's agenda for this Session, as outlined in this afternoon's Speech from the Throne, is Advancing our Quality of Life, Together.
Premier Binns advised that the Speech from the Throne will deliver on initiatives which reflect the priorities of Islanders. He also noted the speech's emphasis on environmental protection and the health and well-being of our population.
"This is a very detailed road map of the direction which Islanders have told us they want this province to go in. Initiatives announced today will serve to make government more accountable, our environment more sustainable, our communities more vibrant and our primary sectors stronger," said the Premier.
Highlights of the 2002 Speech from the Throne include:
Government Accountability and Openness
- More autonomy for the Auditor General
- Enhanced financial reporting and debt management plan
- Continued independence of the civil service
- An implemented Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act
- Commission on Electoral Reform
The Environment
- Establishment of a new Sustainable Resource Policy
- Incentives to encourage more sustainable farm practices
- Introduction of cross-compliance
- Designation of Select Farms
- A strengthened Environmental Protection Act
- Increased penalties for infractions
- A dedicated freshwater fisheries biologist
- A Strengthened Drinking Water Strategy
- A new dedicated drinking water division of the Department of Environment
- Consolidation of environmental and agricultural laboratory services
- A commitment to negotiate with federal and municipal governments towards a capital expansion and upgrading of municipal water and sewer systems
Agriculture, Forestry and the Fishery
- Initiatives to support increased diversification
- Expansion of the livestock sector
- A new feeder loan co-operative for the beef sector
- Support for the hog and dairy sectors
- A Cranberry Development Strategy
- Extension of Bonafide Farmer status
- Additional support for strawberry production and organic producers
- Broadening the forestry sector
- Support for new farmers
- Tax concessions for harbour authorities
- Support for aquaculture development
- Assistance to fight invasive species
Education and Training
- More capital construction and renovation for Island schools
- Increased support for the kindergarten program
- More resources for school boards
- Age of school entry will be increased
- Support for literacy initiatives
- A focus on adult learning
- Trades development will be a priority
Health Care
- A new Smoke-Free Public Places Act
- A Healthy Living Strategy
- More initiatives to prevent, reduce and manage chronic disease
- A Cancer Control Strategy
- Expansion of the Best Start Program
- Additional supports for Island children and their families
- New facilities and equipment
- Stepped-up recruitment and retention initiatives for our health professionals
People and Communities
- Expansion of the Community Development Bureau
- Support for charitable and community organizations
- A new Volunteer Recognition Program
- A Sports Strategy
- A renewed senior's home repair program
Jobs and Employment
- A new beef processing facility
- Establishment of a Research & Innovation Crown Corporation
- More development and expansion capital for Island business
- A focus on rural job creation
- Enhanced small business support and programming
- Targeted tourism marketing
- Initiatives to extend the shoulder and winter tourism seasons
- Better roads and highways
Copies of Advancing Our Quality of Life, Together – the 2002 Speech from the Throne – can be obtained from Island Information Service at 11 Kent Street. It also can be viewed online at www.gov.pe.ca