Prince Edward Island’s 2016-17 budget for the capital plan will invest $77.9 million in schools, health care, and highways, says Finance Minister Allen Roach.
“This capital plan demonstrates our government’s continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility,” Minister Roach said. ”It makes key infrastructure upgrades to front-line programs and services that matter most to Islanders.”
Introduced in the Legislature today, the 2016-17 capital plan represents an increase of $3.4 million over the 2015-16 plan. It allocates $21 million for health improvements such as:
• hospital equipment, including initial funding for a new linear accelerator to provide radiation oncology at the Prince Edward Island Cancer Treatment Centre;
• renovations at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to serve patients with severe chronic kidney disease and post-renal transplant patients; and
• continued progress on the new Riverview Manor in Montague and the new long-term-care facility in Tyne Valley.
In education, $15.2 million will be invested in information management, school construction, and school buses including:
• wireless internet access and modern computers in schools;
• initial construction work for École la belle Cloche in the Souris area, as well as renovations to Three Oaks Senior High School;
• a new band room for École-sur-Mer; and
• replacing 19 school buses
Nearly $30 million will be invested in transportation infrastructure, including further realignment of the Trans Canada Highway and additional intersection improvements.
“The investments made in this capital plan will ensure our children learn in a positive environment, that our seniors live in safe and comfortable surroundings, that health care is delivered effectively to those who need it, and that Islanders can safety travel our highways and our home-grown goods are efficiently transported to market,” Minister Roach said. “Above all, they will help ensure that our government can work across departments – and with our community partners – to deliver the best possible service to Islanders.”
The complete 2016-17 Capital Estimates document is available at www.gov.pe.ca/capitalbudget.