Wednesday, March 22, 1967

Honourable Alexander B. Campbell: There are problems in the program, Mr. Speaker, but there are great benefits to the province as well.

I would like to discuss the Water Authority for a moment. Legislation was set up by the previous government to create a water authority, and what was that chap’s name who was hired in New Brunswick and Nova Scotis? Bates, Professor Bates was employed by this province as he was employed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to take an overall look at the situation. He recommended to us that we employ a man by the name of Hiscott. We have done this, I suppose he is one of the co-ordinators that the Opposition talks about, he comes to us from the Crandall Firm, Consulting Firm or Designing Firm in Monoton, and he is doing a great job in assessing an overall program here. His work within the Department has led to the policies outlined in the Throne Speech for water conservation, for treatment of domestic sewage, for treatment of pollution — both domestic as well as municipal and industrial. The supply, Mr. Speaker, of fresh water is one of the greatest assets which this province has to offer agriculture and new industry, and the amounts of water required by new industry in some instances are almost staggering to imagine

— millions of gallons a day. We take our water for granted now but already we are beginning to see how these sources of clear, fresh water can become infiltatred with solids. They can become polluted. can be rendered useless both for the agricul- tural economy of the province and as sources of valuable supply to industry. Why even look at Borden for example, Mr. Speaker. Huge amounts of water will be re- quired to make the cement for the tunnels and other sections of the Causeway. We believe, and hope. that there is enough fresh water there in the Borden area to establish, and justify the establishment of cement constructing and forming facilities there. On the other hand in New Brunswick sufficient quantities of salt and other ingredients have been found in the water as to render their water almost useless for this purpose. So there again the value of our water supply is stressed and we will endeavour, through the policies which are outlined in the Speech from the Throne, to conserve our clean water and to clean up our pollution problems.

It has given the Government, Mr. Speaker, a great deal of pleasure to work with those who are chiefly responsible for the establishment of the rehabilitation centre for the victims of alcoholism in the province. This is a program as well, Mr. Speaker, that qualifies for federal assistance and so perhaps our role has been very minor in the program. However, it has been possible to attract the federal monies through this particular program and we are encouraged with the interest and the work that the individuals involved are putting into the program, and we feel that this will serve as a very valuable pilot program for other developments in this much needed area. This is Centennial Year, Mr. Speaker, and as Premier of the Province. and Leader of the Government I am very much encouraged with the response that the public generally has given to the call to go to work and think up something to do in a constructive way to celebrate the nation’s one hundredth hirthdav. I can tell you. Mr. Speaker, that the federal Centennial Commissioner and the Provincial Centennial Commissioner and his assistant are doing an excellent job in co-ordinating the various activities that will take place here in Prince Edward Island this year. The community events which I have had the privilege of attending so far this year demonstrate clearly the enthusiasm with which Prince Edward Islanders have entered into the birthday celebrations of our nation. We have every reason to believe that grohably every Islander will be looking for a rest when December 31st comes around,

cause it looks like a very busy year. Then. Mr. Speaker, we will start to plan for our 1973 celebrations and this is a year which I hope will be “Come-Home-Year" in Prince Edward Island. This is a year when I hope our Causeway will be completed and when the call can go out to all Prince Edward Islanders in Central Canada, the. New England States or wherever they may be to come home and visit their province.

I should speak for a moment I suppose, Mr. Speaker, on the subject of the Department under my responsibility and that is the Department of the Attorney- General. No one in this House, Mr. Speaker, can be happy with the jail facilities which this province provides for those who are found to be breaking laws by the Courts. And yet new jails cost money and it is vs? difficult to find the kind of money that new jails require. We are not encourage by our request to the federal government to establish minimum security, medium security, and maximum security facilities here in the province, because they have made commitments in Dorchester in New Brunswick for maximum and Springhill for medium. However, I think there

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