BY RICHARD BROWN
GUEST OPNION
Getting work done in the Legislative Assembly requires commitment and a spirit of co-operation from members of all parties.
As Government House Leader, looking back on the accomplishments of the fall sitting, I am proud of our achievements. We made significant progress addressing issues that will improve the lives of Islanders and strengthen the way we govern.
We committed to a clear question on electoral reform; we increased the number of allowable spaces in home child cares; we increased supports to grandparents caring for vulnerable grandchildren; we introduced legislation improving transparency and accountability in government, and for the first time, Prince Edward Island has a Water Act.
We made significant progress on our agenda.
As promised, we are moving forward on democratic renewal. Legislation will be brought forward and debated in the 2018 spring session. We are committed to a referendum on electoral reform with a clear question. To ensure Islanders have a good understanding on the proposed changes, we asked that the independent Electoral Boundaries Commission create a map that lays out the geographic boundaries of the mixed member proportional model considered in the 2016 plebiscite. This will give Islanders a clear picture of how a new voting system would work.
The new Grandparents and Care Providers Program helps families who provide care for vulnerable children. This program provides financial support to grandparents caring for their grandchildren, preventing them from entering into legal custody and guardianship of the province.
We increased the number of allowable children in home childcares, which will help families access quality child care.
Openness, transparency, and good government are the key principles contained in the Public Interest Disclosure and Whistleblower Protection Act and Lobbyists Registration Act. The Whistleblower Legislation protects public servants against any reprisals for disclosures of wrongdoing. The Lobbyists Registration Act, the first legislation of its kind on Prince Edward Island, defines a standard of conduct for a lobbyist that is ethical and professional.
We announced a historic funding agreement to strengthen local services in Island communities, fundamentally transforming the relationship between the province and municipalities. And we introduced a Capital Budget that will improve and replace schools, healthcare facilities, and roads and provide fast Internet to communities across our province.
Also passed during the fall session was the Water Act, which will protect the quality and quantity of our water and ensure that its supply is healthy and sustainable for today and for future generations.
Modernizing government in these changing times to improve the lives of Islanders was the focus of our work.
I am proud of how all parties worked co-operatively on issues that matter to Islanders.
- Richard Brown is the MLA for Charlottetown-Victoria Park; and Government House Leader
