Friday, April 21, 1967

to reduce, and eventually eliminate, the direct and contributory causes of accidents so costly in lives and dollars. Programs such as motor vehicle inspection, expanded driver education, driver improvement clinics and more rigid enforcement must be developed and put into use. A system of driver examination and the issuance of different types of licenses to persons driving certain classes of motor vehicles is under active consideration. Reflectorized motor plates, as a safety measure, are being investigated, and initial findings suggest that these plates are a good safety measure. A comprehensive check of 180 school busses in twenty-nine schools began on Monday of this week. A licensed mechanic has been employed for this program.

I would like to say a few words on the Emergency Measures Organisation under the direction of Major Orin Simons. This organization was suddenly called into action in August 1966, during the railway strike to setup ferry control at Wood Islands. It was able to co-ordinate the efforts of government and private agency so effectively that there was little disruption in the flow of traffic during the strike. The effectiveness of the organization solicited many expressions of appreciation from individuals and firms who were involved in transportation during the strike. The general organization has been changed from a community basis to an area basis. Area headquarters have been established in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague. Souris, and Alberton. This is expected to increase the efficiency by providing better control of communications and the various emergency services such as health, welfare, etc. The province is being provided with a two-hundred bed emergency hospital, completely equipped, which could be set up in a school auditorium or community halls. This unit would be available at any time for any type of emer- gency. The Town of Summerside is now in the process of completing a Municipal Emergency Government Headquarters located in the basement of the Fire Hall. In the event of a nuclear war, Emergency Government Headquarters and staff could operate without any danger of contamination. A number of people have been trained in radiological defence, and courses and study groups are carried out continuously at the Canadian Emergency Measures College and at local schools. A War Supplies Agency has been organized to sup rt regional governments through offices located in the above mentioned area. A oad Transport Control Organization will control the movement of vehicles within the province, and inter-provincially, in the event of any emergency. The Emergency National Telecommunications Organization will con- trol all communications within the province and has a liaison with the National 0r- ganization in other provinces. A Wartime Accommodation Control Organization is organized to control the use of buildings within the province. There is no doubt, Mr. Speaker, that you may be wondering how this is paid for. It is on a cost-sharing basis, with the federal government paying 76% of the cost, and in some specific cases 100%, and some sharing of the remaining 25% is with the Municipality. I am sure that our province is well organized under the Emergency Measures Organiza- tion and fully prepared for any emergency that might arise.

The Civil Service Commission reports to the Provincial Secretary and I would like to mention a few items that may be of interest. The Commission was established in this province in 1963, and charged with the responsibility of establishing a merit system in the public service for recruiting personnel and ensuring uniformity of treatment to all employees regardless of position. class, creed or political afliliation. The merit system was designed to protect the general public and the employee and to find the best person for each position for the wages offered. The skills required in the public service are such that the Commission must be prepared to offer career opportunities for qualified, dedicated public servants. and provide opportunities for them to obtain the potential for which they are capable. The changing requirements of government and the need for more qualified and highly trained personnel with special skills is reflected in the variety of classifications which is changing from year to year. The competition for the available supply of trained people with the larger and richer provinces quite often leaves this province far behind. Pay reviews have provided necessary increases but we still lag behind our neighbouring provinces, and occasionally lose qualified personnel to other jurisdictions. The number of em- ployees has increased each year because of increased services provided by govern- ment and the gradual decrease in working hours. There are four classified civil servants on the Commission staff in addition to the Commission Chairman, who is employed full time. This is the lowest ratio of staff to total civil servants of any province in Canada.

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