NDP explain plan; take issue with editorial
An editorial in the Journal Pioneer Monday took great issue with the Island New Democrat Agenda 2020 platform. I would like to correct some of the misunderstandings surrounding our Comprehensive Plan to Develop Prince Edward Island.
Island New Democrats want prudent management of the finances of this province, and it would not be in our interests to bring in across the board tax increases. Our mission is to ensure we deliver value for money in government for all Islanders. This includes making different choices.
Our plan creates unprecedented opportunities for younger islanders to live and work in Prince Edward Island, and our Provincial Pension Plan increases the ability of people to stay for the long term.
Our fund for farmers is offering financing assistance, not a handout. We are not giving away money, we are loaning funds in a careful manner. This goes the same for our shellfish industry, which is going through a challenging time. We will support these workers to enable success. This does not mean we are throwing money at a problem, because money is not always the answer.
Our commitment to rural fibre internet is unwavering. Fibre is the future. We know that the federal government is willing to partner in a significant manner to help achieve this goal, and that the cost is quite affordable, especially in how it has proven to improve competitiveness and grow business in serviced areas.
Our intention to increase the number of medical residencies is a start to showcasing the benefits of living and working on P.E.I. Our plan to develop a medical faculty requires starting negotiations immediately to develop capabilities similar to Saint John and Moncton. When we scale up both capability and investment, the goal is clear. Smart investments pay dividends, and this is a very smart investment. A new addictions treatment facility in western Prince Edward Island is needed. There is intense pressure on the system across P.E.I and people are not getting treatment. This costs our communities in other ways, in dollars and in lives.
Our target of 2,000 new housing units is based on need. Housing units are long-lived assets and can be financed at low rates along with existing support from Ottawa. So the real issue until now has been a lack of focus by government in addressing the shortage of new units.
Our Provincial Pension Plan is a common-sense plan to ensure Islanders do not retire into poverty. It will cover all working Islanders and will be phased in and shared between employees and employers. The Provincial Pension Plan will apply to any worker that does not already have a pension, including seasonal workers, who will for the first time have a pension.
We will push to see government spending prioritized for all Islanders. Our plan will work within the current federal-provincial funding framework. The funds are there and simply require being prioritized. Projects, like housing, are able to be funded outside of operating budgets and are attractive investments for both private operators and investment funds.
The pilot programs on Health Hubs and Basic Income are designed to work within the current health budget and will address the delivery of services to improve access at lower costs. Summerside is the second city in our province and the western capital. We have presented a realistic plan to bring new development initiatives to Summerside. We will continue confronting the issues head-on and bringing forward solutions.
Rather than impair the finances of the province, the plan will help break us free of what has been truly holding back Islanders, no matter who they are or where they live in our province.
Joe Byrne,
Leader of the Island New Democrats