___________________________Legislative A—embly___________________________ umberland , while at the same time we must have a sufficient labour force available for our ordinary construction projects. There will be 1200 jobs avail¬ able on the Causeway and if our people are to be employed, they must meet the standards of skill required on this huge project; if our people are not qualified, we have been warned that skilled labour will be imported from other provinces. We must prepare now to take advantage of opportunities. The Winter Works Program has been administered this year by the Depart¬ ment again. It is a joint program of the federal and provincial governments and it has as its object the promotion <vf employment during the winter months. The period covered for participation in winter months is from November first of one year to April first of the following year. This program can be undertaken by Municipalities, or communities and 90% of the labour cost of the project is paid by the joint govern¬ ments on the basin of 60% by the federal government, and 80% by the provincial government. The Municipality or community must provide the remaining 10%. In order to encourage the beautification of the province for Centennial Year the government this year decided to pay 40% of the labour cost on Winter Works beautification projects, which in effect meant a payment of 100% of labour costs for the Municipalities and communities undertaking this kind of project. There were one hundred and sixty-four projects carried on this year which is an increase of 59 projects over the 1965-1966 year. There have been many opinions expressed, both for and against, the Winter Works projects, and it is possible that the arguments have some merit. In any event, the Department will give this program a detailed examination to determine ways and means to get the maximum benefit from the money that is spent. It is not known yet whether this program will be in operation next year, as the federal gov¬ ernment will not make its intentions known until the summer. In any event, we will be prepared for the program if it continues. Our Department, Mr. Speaker , has also participated in and supported the "Do It Now Campaign'' promoted by the Manpower Centre. Its object is to promote em¬ ployment in the sluggish winter months when labour and materials are more readily available than in the heavy construction part of the year. The Department has car¬ ried on lengthy negotiations with federal Department of Manpower, and the Depart¬ ment of Education in the matter of setting up a Research Centre called, "PJSJ. Newstart Incorporated." It will be entirely financed by the federal government and $100,000 will be made available immediately to start it off. It is expected that from two to three million dollars will be injected into the research agency within the next five years, all of which will be contributed by the federal government. It is expected that the Agency will be in operation within the next couple of months. This research will be orientated to labour and education and in order to give you an idea of its scope I will read the objects and purposes of the Research program, whkh are as follows. "The objects of incorporation shall be the conduct of research into the de¬ velopment, of new methods of qualififing for rewarding and stable employment, persons who are at a disadvantage, and particularly those who are handicapped as to their educational level. To study the employment and other prospects in Prince Edward Island for persons with various levels and types of skill. To re¬ commend and execute, on an experimental basis, solutions to employment problems, including the recruitment of trainees, their motivation, counselling, training, place¬ ment welfare and related matters. To carry on the activities of a Research Centre, trade, pay, and provide such other services and benefits that are deemed necessary to, or on behalf of, pupils; conduct liaison with schools and training establishments, and with provincial and federal governments and agencies. To develop methods of evaluating the procedures and methods used, to prepare reports, to publish and dis¬ seminate information relating to the search and related programs. To enter into any arrangement with any authorities, public, academic or otherwise that may seem conducive to the corporations objects or any of them, and to attain from any such authority, any rights, privileges, concessions which the corporation may think ft desirable to obtain, to carry out, exercise, apply with any such arrangements, rights, privileges and concessions." —227—