Legislative Assembly

The appropriations presented to the House this evening have been thoroughly reviewed by the Treasury Board and every Minister concerned recognizes the ne— cessity of keeping the expenditures of his department within the allotted appro- priation.

For 1967-1968 we are showing a small surplus on ordinary account. Current revenues are estimated at $42,106,441. and current expenditures at $41,886,040. pro. viding a current surplus of $270,401. after providing $1,713,755. for debt retirement.

Expenditure Estimates

The Department of Education is by far the largest spender of public funds, with an overall increase for the year of $2,500,000. Universities will receive grants of $775 per student, replacing the previous $300 provincial grant plus the univer- sity’s share of the $5.00 per capita grant from the Federal Government. Universities will receive through this arrangement about $200,000. more than they would have

received if last year’s formula remained in effect. The organization grant to Prince of Wales College is continued and increased from $125,000 to $150,000.

Teachers’ salaries are approximately $1,000,000 over last year. The free school books program has been continued and expanded. Support to consolidated elementary schools will increase by $450,000.

The Welfare Department also continues to expand its services. Mothers’ allow- ances will be increased to $105 per month plus $10 for each child instead of the $65. plus $10. now in effect. 100% of the cost of social assistance to municipalities, including Summerside and Charlottetown, is now being paid. Supplementary Welfare Pensions will be paid to all senior citizens who did not qualify for the Guaranteed Income Supplement. $65,000. is being provided for the halfway house for alcoholics under our Social Assistance Program.

The Department of Health’s expanded services will require an additional $800,000 over the previous year.

The Department of Agriculture will receive $600,000. over and above the amount estimated last year. $300,000 of this amount has been allocated to the new Economic Improvement Corporation. As Honourable Members already know, this organization will have the responsibility for developing and implementing a co-ordin- ated development program for the Province. The amount provided here is our best

nt estimate of the net cost of these programs for the coming year, after deduct- federal contributions. The gross expenditures are expected to be far greater than $300,000., and will cover a wide variety of projects, both new and old.

The Fisheries Department is providing $50,000 for assistance to lobster fisher- men. Insurance assistance of $14,000. is also being provided for small draggers. $133,000. is being provided for experimental projects and technical assistance.

In an effort to bring our employees’ salaries more in line with our neighbour- ing provinces an increase averaging 6% was granted. The cost of this and ordinary increments will exceed $500,000.

A summary of proposed expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1968 is as follows. For the information of Honourable Members the actual figures for 1965-66 and the forecast for 1966-67 are also shown:

Forecast Estimated

1965-66 1966-67 1967-68 Debt charges, including Sinking Fund ............ $ 4,121,991. $ 4,441,819. $ 5,352,688. Health ...................................................................... 6,935,184. 7,369,203. 8,240,085. Welfare .. . . .. .. , . , ......................... 3,408,629. 6,010,249. 5,772,880. Labour ... , . .. ... 459,767. 905,968. 1,104,807. Education , . .. .. ..... .. . .. .. 5,727,986. 8,092,375. 10,577,941. Attorney General ..... , . 411,270. 537,843. 614,400. Legislation . . . . ,,,,,,, 261,017. 306,517. 304,501. Executive Council ............................... .. 61,127. 75,100. 82,124. Agriculture . ................................................... 1,349,326. 2,455,021. 2,095,335. Industry and Natural Resources ...................... 176,005. 191,348. 260,325. Fisheries ................................................................ 189,386. 317,944. 367,977.