Wade MacLauchlan’s first funding announcement since being sworn in Monday as P.E.I.’s 32nd premier is aimed at helping the marginalized.
MacLauchlan delivered a $25,000 cheque to Capt. Jamie Locke of the Salvation Army in Charlottetown to help offset a shortfall in operational funding needed to run Bedford MacDonald House, the only shelter in P.E.I. for men who are experiencing homelessness.
Locke says while the money will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the shelter, perhaps more importantly the unexpected funding from the province serves as a valuable sign.
“I believe that what we’re seeing here today speaks of leadership that has a social conscience,’’ says Locke.
“It’s not that that hasn’t been there in the past, it simply means that without him (MacLauchlan) even having to say so, the concerns of the poor and the marginalized on Prince Edward Island are (evidently) important to him. I think that is just very encouraging.’’
MacLauchlan says he decided to increase by $25,000 the government’s current annual assistance of $48,500 to the shelter after learning about the funding shortfall during a meeting last week with Locke. He says Bedford MacDonald House provides critical support for people who need it the most.
The premier told The Guardian he hopes to follow the example of former P.E.I. premier Alex Campbell — the subject of a book penned by MacLauchlan — that a political leader should “always listen and learn and always care.’’
Without giving any concrete details, he suggests his plan is to lead a government that will work to help to provide greater supports to people in need.
“I think there obviously are many needs ... I’m really impressed by the extent of coordination and sophistication that I see among the many organizations and players that are involved,’’ he says.
“So for my part it’s to arrive in as premier and acknowledge that and to be aware of it and of course to be alert to where you can add something overall to the system.’’
MacLauchlan notes he has visited many organizations across P.E.I. leading up to the swearing-in ceremony, from the P.E.I. Reach Foundation to Anderson House, trying to get a handle on what is in place to serve Islanders.
He has yet to visit the Provincial Correctional Centre, but that too is on his busy to-do list.
“It’s a whole system and it’s one that involves many players,’’ says MacLauchlan.
Wade MacLauchlan’s first funding announcement since being sworn in Monday as P.E.I.’s 32nd premier is aimed at helping the marginalized.
MacLauchlan delivered a $25,000 cheque to Capt. Jamie Locke of the Salvation Army in Charlottetown to help offset a shortfall in operational funding needed to run Bedford MacDonald House, the only shelter in P.E.I. for men who are experiencing homelessness.
Locke says while the money will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the shelter, perhaps more importantly the unexpected funding from the province serves as a valuable sign.
“I believe that what we’re seeing here today speaks of leadership that has a social conscience,’’ says Locke.
“It’s not that that hasn’t been there in the past, it simply means that without him (MacLauchlan) even having to say so, the concerns of the poor and the marginalized on Prince Edward Island are (evidently) important to him. I think that is just very encouraging.’’
MacLauchlan says he decided to increase by $25,000 the government’s current annual assistance of $48,500 to the shelter after learning about the funding shortfall during a meeting last week with Locke. He says Bedford MacDonald House provides critical support for people who need it the most.
The premier told The Guardian he hopes to follow the example of former P.E.I. premier Alex Campbell — the subject of a book penned by MacLauchlan — that a political leader should “always listen and learn and always care.’’
Without giving any concrete details, he suggests his plan is to lead a government that will work to help to provide greater supports to people in need.
“I think there obviously are many needs ... I’m really impressed by the extent of coordination and sophistication that I see among the many organizations and players that are involved,’’ he says.
“So for my part it’s to arrive in as premier and acknowledge that and to be aware of it and of course to be alert to where you can add something overall to the system.’’
MacLauchlan notes he has visited many organizations across P.E.I. leading up to the swearing-in ceremony, from the P.E.I. Reach Foundation to Anderson House, trying to get a handle on what is in place to serve Islanders.
He has yet to visit the Provincial Correctional Centre, but that too is on his busy to-do list.
“It’s a whole system and it’s one that involves many players,’’ says MacLauchlan.
