Welcome

A Message from Robert Ghiz
Leader of the Liberal Party and Premier of Prince Edward Island

I am very proud of the accomplishments that have been achieved over a very short period since first being offered the privilege of leading the Government of
Prince Edward Island.

From the outset, the government chose to put the interests of Islanders first - and that has resulted in a deliberate focus on those areas that matter most:
health care, education and economic development.

The task has not been easy. For too many years, these important areas of our Island's social and economic life were often neglected, and substantial rebuilding was required. In health care, major new investments were required - particularly as it relates to making sure that much-needed services are available. Those investments are paying off. Right now, 95 per cent of Islanders have a family doctor.

That is well above the national average of only 86 per cent. A new program to replace aging manors for Island seniors is now underway - more than $50 million will be invested to make sure that our public long-term care system is the best and most comfortable it can be.

In education, government has provided first-year support for young Islanders to enter either the University of
Prince Edward Island or Holland College. I am more than confident that
our support of young Islanders will result in a better educated and better paid province in the years ahead.

But we can't offer support just to those who have completed their work in the public school system. We also need to make sure that young Islanders have access to the best programs and preparation possible. So, government will oversee the introduction of full-day kindergarten into the public school system in September of 2010.

Economically, the world has been faced with a global financial crisis over the last year or so. I am very proud that Prince Edward Island was one of the first jurisdictions to recognize the threat of global economic downturn - and a $510 million capital budget was launched. That plan helped our Island withstand the worst of the economic crisis and, at the same time, we have been able to significantly improve our roads and other infrastructure.

All of the work that is being done has one goal: strengthening all parts of Prince Edward Island. For example, the Rural Broadband Initiative means that virtually every Island home and business will have access to high-speed internet - a significant achievement for a small province in a changing world.

As a government, we will continue to embrace change. New achievements are taking place in industries like aerospace, biosciences, information technology and renewable energy. And
support for our traditional industries - fisheries, agriculture and tourism - remains undiminished in the recognition that they are the pillars upon which our economy is built.

A great deal has been achieved in a short time. And much more will be done in the months and years ahead.

Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island