Build Strong and Resilient Communities from Tip to Tip

A Green Government would work to build the foundations for a new relationship between Indigenous peoples and settler peoples. We recognize the harms of the past and we believe that many programs and services for Indigenous people should be developed and delivered by Indigenous people. We will partner with Indigenous communities to enhance their capacity to provide those programs and services.

A Green Government would support community development which enhances the quality of life for all Islanders, revitalizes rural places, and respects and nurtures the varied human and natural capital of Prince Edward Island. Our small size gives us great flexibility to create thriving, welcoming communities that attract people to visit and live. We need to review the practice of giving big loans to private companies unless there is a solid and defendable business case to do so. We will provide smaller loans to smaller businesses across the province to achieve better outcomes for our communities.

We do not believe that Islanders must choose between protecting the environment and supporting traditional industries like agriculture and fisheries. By encouraging sustainable practices we can build a strong and vibrant economy working in conjunction with a protected and healthy environment.

One of our highest priorities will be laying the groundwork for a clean energy economy. We agree with the overwhelming expert opinion that climate change is an imminent crisis and that the fairest and most efficient way to encourage businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon emissions is through a revenue neutral carbon tax.

We believe that infrastructure investments must be future-oriented: considering the structural, transportation, and energy needs for today and tomorrow and laying the foundation for creative, integrated communities for generations to come. We will focus on maintaining, renovating, or repurposing existing infrastructure to extend its functional life and value and avoid ‘stranded assets’.

Our small size allows us to be creative and flexible in re-imagining what learning could and should be for improving the security and well-being of Islanders. This includes not only what we learn, but how and where we learn, and why. We want every Island child to be happy, safe, included, and challenged to develop, learn and grow. We imagine a world class education system for Island students, based on best practices around the world, and adapted to suit our local context. Truly supporting and nurturing child development will have a ripple effect throughout future generations.

25 Year Vision

10 Year Vision

First Mandate Commitments

Indigenous Relations

• Build on the recently signed Framework Agreement and work collaboratively to resolve issues of importance in Crown- Indigenous relations
• Ensure that the province continues to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Mandate training programs within the provincial civil service to enhance understanding of Indigenous history and culture

Rural Governance

• Replace the current Department of Rural and Regional Development with a rural secretariat that will promote and manage rural issues across all government departments
  • The secretariat would expand beyond the current economic focus to enhancing the well-being of all rural Islanders and rural communities
• Create an independent Advisory Council on Rural Affairs modeled on the Advisory Council on the Status of Women
  • The Advisory Council will serve as the bridge between the public and government on rural issues. The Regional Economic Advisory Boards will be dissolved
• Establish an independent citizens’ assembly on governance in unincorporated areas
  • Composed of residents of unincorporated areas, the citizens’ assembly will give rural Islanders a voice and make recommendations on how these areas can improve their governance and development
• Amend the Municipal Government Act to require a plebiscite in any unincorporated area prior to annexation
• Pilot a rural school community hub to use excess space in the current schools for community programs and business development activities

Primary Industries

• Create a land bank to make land available and affordable to new farmers, while providing retiring farmers with new succession opportunities
• Customize buffer-zones based on local conditions
  • Use LIDAR mapping and drones to determine customized recommendations for the width of buffer zones throughout the province
• Conduct a comprehensive review of the Agricultural Crop Rotation Act to ensure the maintenance and increase of soil organic matter
• Implement regulations for Organic Certification on Prince Edward Island
• Maintain the moratorium on high capacity wells for agricultural purposes
  
• Review the Land Protections Act to ensure all land purchases comply with not only the word but also the spirit of the Act
  
• Create a dedicated Deputy Minister position for Fisheries to ensure that the priorities and perspectives of fishers are well-represented in government
  
• Expand the Fishers Low Interest Loan Program
  
• Increase funding to support community-led education programs and outreach activities that will result in local market expansion and improved community food security, including increased access to affordable local food
  
• Expand tourism marketing to include small-scale initiatives to encourage people to come to PEI and to return to PEI, using local creative talent and resources with a focus on niche markets
  
• Invest in active experiential tourism (e.g. cycling, birding, and kayaking) infrastructure
  
• Provide support for Indigenous tourism development in consultation with Indigenous communities
  
• Support creative and cultural industries on PEI by providing resources, including expansion of funds for grants and programs as outlined in the Five Year Cultural Action Plan
  
• Expand reforestation and forestry management programs
  

Climate and Energy

• Create a new carbon pricing framework that can actually achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
  • We would return the carbon tax revenues directly to Islanders through an unconditional payment (similar to the HST rebate)
  • We would implement a small business tax reduction
  • We would ensure that marked fuels remain tax exempt in agriculture and fisheries
  • This allows Islanders to choose for themselves how they can best reduce their emissions
• Create a low interest loan program to encourage small-scale solar energy installations on residential, non-profit, small business, and agricultural buildings
• Develop a program to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers in homes and workplaces
• Create a purchase incentive for electric vehicles
• Transition the provincial fleet to electric vehicles
• Add sustainability criteria to procurement policies

Economic Sustainability

• Build on the recently signed Framework Agreement and work collaboratively to resolve issues of importance in Crown- Indigenous relations
• Ensure that the province continues to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Mandate training programs within the provincial civil service to enhance understanding of Indigenous history and culture

Housing

• Build on the recently signed Framework Agreement and work collaboratively to resolve issues of importance in Crown- Indigenous relations
• Ensure that the province continues to implement the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
• Mandate training programs within the provincial civil service to enhance understanding of Indigenous history and culture

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