CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The first throne speech of Premier Dennis King’s PC government emphasized reforms to the legislative assembly, a process that will involve P.E.I. residents.
The speech, delivered Friday by Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry, is the first test of King’s minority government. The speech must pass through second reading in order for the government to introduce a budget.
“Prince Edward Islanders voted for an unprecedented minority result and with the full expectation that we would listen and find ways to work together to provide stable governance and effective public administration,” Perry said in the speech.
The throne speech pledged to establish a panel of citizens and MLAs to recommend reforms to the legislature.
King said this panel represents the understanding that the legislature belongs to the people of P.E.I.
“I'm really excited about that, actually. I think it's going to be a way not just to generate good conversation but a way to actually get some tangible reforms that are needed for the legislature," King said.
The speech also pledged to provide equal membership of Opposition and government parties on standing committees and to set out the structure and mandates of these committees by the end of this month.
Also included was a promise to complete public engagement of Water Act regulations.
Environment Minister Brad Trivers said this means a commitment to full implementation of these regulations within six months.
The previous Liberal government had drawn fire for not releasing regulations of the Island’s Water Act governing the establishment of deep-water wells. Trivers said he plans to publicly release the full regulations.
"The regulations – and this was my frustration with the last administration – have been mostly complete for a long time,” Trivers said. “It's unfortunate that the process didn't include open consultations in the same way that the Water Act did."
Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker said he was encouraged by the references to democratic reform, as well as consultation regarding Water Act regulations. But he said the speech fell short on specific details addressing climate change.
The speech said the “long-term vision” of the government was a carbon neutral society, but it did not set out a timeline.
"Unless we have some really hard targets, both in terms of greenhouse gas reduction and the time with which we're going to accomplish that, then those sorts of statements become essentially meaningless," Bevan-Baker said.
Bevan-Baker also said the speech neither addressed reforms to the province’s Rental of Residential Property Act nor committed to regulation of short-term rental units like Airbnb.
“It was a throne speech which was a beautiful vision and one I can absolutely support but without the plan to get us to achieve that vision," Bevan-Baker said.
Liberal Leader Robert Mitchell also said the speech lacked specifics.
"No substantive details in regard to our primary industries, in terms of our post-secondary institutions. Also, (no details) in regard to job creation," Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he would have liked to see wording that addressed discrimination based on political views for public sector employees.
"Putting that text in the speech from the throne would give a calming to those individuals that now work for the public service commission," Mitchell said.
Outside, a small group of demonstrators from the group Extinction Rebellion said the government needs to move faster to address climate change. Members of the group said the province should establish a provincewide public transit system and ensure all government vehicles purchased be either hybrid or electric.
“They have a huge budget, they should prioritize what vehicles they use,” said Michael Antolick, a member of Extinction Rebellion.
