Legislative Assembly

the province. At least in that first year, right after an election, it has been the policies of most Oppositions to sit back because the people have spoken and to assist, not to obstruct. Since I came into this Assembly this year I have seen nothing other than what I thought was planned obstruction. Every phase of our economy, every segment of our population, and every age group of the people have been re-appraised in the last eight months. They have been reconsidered and adjustments were made for the people regardless of their age, their sex, their religion, their colour or their creed. Our people, I am sure, will benefit from our planned comprehensive Resources Development pro- gram, our extension and our expansion of our ARDA program, Water Conservation, Land Improvement, Land Consolidation for the benefit, particularly, of our farmers. Our expansion in research and development of the Fisheries program, and expansion and further development and extension of our Educational Program to cover pre- school children. University training, the establishment of a new Division of Youth Affairs, to encourage constructive youth activities in Youth Organizations. The ex- pansion of our health program with an active group presently studying the Federal Medical Care Act, an expansion in the Department of Labour and the building up of better labour management relations, better industrial standards, expansion in Agri- culture, expansion in Road Program with an all-weather road from Prince to Kings County. Apart from this we are fling to have an expansion in our Tourist Program, and an expansion in our Welfare gram, and it is these latter two that I propose to speak on this evening.

Very shortly after I became the Minister of Tourist Development, I was invited by the Tourist Association of Prince Edward Island to a banquet at the Charlottetown Hotel, a banquet at which the Association presented me with their problems, and pre- sented me with problems they have had for several years And I thought that these people had a great interest in the tourist trade of Prince Edward Island and they as- sured me that they were willing to help in any form that they could in the years ahead. I feel that this Association has got the tourist industry at heart. from its Presi- dent to its newest member, and they deserve the wholehearted support of my Depart- ment.

One of the first things that I noticed when I became Minister of Tourist Devel- o ment was that there was no plan. There was no plan for the future, there was no p n as far as tourist loans were concerned; they were given hither and yon. Besides the fact that there was no plan I found that the former Minister loaned thousands of dollars on no authority. He loaned as high as $40,000 to one individual on his own signature, and according to the Tourist Loans Accommodation Act, there is only one authority, and that authority rests with the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Conncil to make a loan or a grant. But the LieutenantrGovernor-in-Council was never asked, or if he was asked, they'hnever approved of a loan in the seven years the former administration was in power. e Minister made these loans and now I just have my doubts if we have the authori to collect these loans because they were given to the people with no authority

film? to s Assembly, no legislative authority of any kind, just on the signature of the ma r.

L. George Dewar: Were all the loans made previously by all governments made by Order-in-Council ‘!

Honourable M. Lorne Bonnell: All loans up to 1959 were made by Order-in- Council until September 16th, and from September 16th until July 28th not one was made by Order-in-Council, but all were made by the Minister, and the Act states spec- ifically that only the Lieutenant-Governor-in-Council can make a loan.

L. George Dewar: You are sure of the situation before 1959? Honourable M. Lorne Donnell: Quite sure because the Minister of Tourist De-

velopment at that time was Mr. B. Earle MacDonald. I happened to sit in the Govern- ment as Minister of Health and was there for the approval of the loans.

Henry W. Wedge: Are these loans all secured by mortgage? Honourable M. Lorne Bonnell: Are they all secured by mortgage?

Henry W. Wedge: Yes, first mortgage. Honourable M. Lorne Bonnell: They are all secured by mortgage or an ap«

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