Planning an economic future
Premier names 28-member council tasked with providing ‘blueprint’ for post-pandemic solutions
Premier Dennis King has named 28 individuals to an advisory council tasked with finding solutions to the many economic problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a media statement released on Monday, the province announced the creation of the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth. The council’s membership includes a range of business-owners in manufacturing, biotech, agriculture, fisheries and hospitality sectors but also includes two academics, two individuals in the arts and creative sectors, a union leader and two individuals involved in the non-profit world.
“The work of this group will be critical in establishing a plan for recovery and growth potential for our province over the next one, two, five and 10 years,” read a letter sent from King to participants of the council.
King had previously announced the creation of a Premier’s Econoimc Recovery Council in late March, before dissolving the group in mid-April.
In recent weeks, members of the Green Opposition have claimed the King government lacks a plan for economic recovery after the pandemic. Other commentators have criticized the apparent secrecy surrounding the Premier’s Council on Economic Recovery.
In an interview, the premier said the first council group was dissolved because more of a focus was needed on medium- or long-term planning.
"It became very relevant to me after a few meetings that we seemed to spend all of our time talking about our challenges," King said.
"What we need to talk about are solutions and innovations to these challenges. We need to get people back working. We've got 12,000 people unemployed."
In a letter, King tasked members with determining how to support the people of P.E.I. in a way that allows them to succeed and coming up with “bold aspirations” for the province’s role in the future.
The letter did not set out parameters for the mandate of the council. King said the council’s work is bigger than just economics.
"Maybe we look at four-day work weeks. Maybe we look at work-fromhome options. Everything has to be on the table," King said.
"I want them to build a blueprint for how P.E.I.'s going to be successful and take a bigger piece of the world pie for the next 10 years."
Jason Aspin, CEO of Aspin Kemp & Associates, is a member of the new council. His company, based in Montague, designs and manufactures power and propulsion assets for marine, offshore oil and gas and other industries.
The company maintains a workforce of around 100 employees.
"My understanding is it's kind of an advisory group around that and trying to get input from different parts of the economy," Aspin said in a phone interview.
"We're heavily involved in exports, so maybe that perspective is something the premier's maybe looking for."
Terry Nabuurs, another member of the council, runs a blueberry farm and owns the Wheelhouse restaurant in Georgetown.
Nabuurs says the pandemic has forced rapid changes on his own small operation, including delaying the opening of the Wheelhouse until June.
“I've never made so many quick decisions in such a short amount of time in my six years that I've been at this," Nabuurs said.
Nabuurs said he was asked by King to serve on the council, and while he was unsure of the mandate of the group, but said his priority is preserving the sustainability of the tourism and hospitality sector.
"Protecting our reputation as an Island is very important for 2021," Nabuurs said. "We did so well so far with containing COVID that we're in a unique position where we might be able to market ourselves as one of the only places in the world that really didn't get hit."