Tuesday, May 16, 1M7 J. Cyril Sinnott : (Fifth Kings) Mr. Speaker , I have a few observations to mak° in gen*ral: I believe the particular points of the budget should be dealt with by those who are more versed in this. This, in my opinion, has been a somewhat useless session and I would be the first to second the motion of the Member from Sixth Queens who suggested this morning that this House be kept in session for the summer as a tourist attraction. (Applause) When this Assembly met over two months ago, most observers considered that there were four large problems in need of a solution. These were, and I will number them: (1) The Northumberland Strait Crossing and our communications with the mainland. (2) Economic development in this Province. (3) The collapse of two major industries at Georgetown . (4) The financing of higher education. I should like to deal in some detail with each of these, because this Government has either refused to discuss them or has glossed over them without even an attempt to solve any one of them. First, the Northumberland Strait crossing and our communications with the mainland. This is a one hundred year old problem and twice during this session the Opposition raised the problem, and on both occasions this was opposed by the Gov ¬ ernment. We, in the Opposition pointed out that continuous communication with the mainland is a Federal Government responsibility, and indeed, it is a condition of our Joining Confederation. The attitude, however, of this Provincial Government, was and I suppose still is, that the matter of future possible interruptions by strikes should be settled by negotiations with the unions involved. In other words, our Pro¬ vincial Government wants to assume responsibility; I dont know who is responsible for advocating that policy, which can only be described as stupid. This problem was discussed at some length and certain resolutions were sent to Ottawa, but I am still not yet convinced that this Government has a clear understanding of the position of this Province in this regard. It seems to me that the matter is not going to be pur¬ sued any further during this session, but in a few years we will again see the Premier and the Minister of Labour scurrying off to Borden to beg union officials to please allow the ferries to run. I think it Is the dear responsibility of the Government of this Province to insist on a firm guarantee from the Federal Government that never again will there be any, any interruptions in our communication with the mainland. How the Federal Government does this is no concern of ours. I suggest to you that the Government is wasting its time in talking about possible negotiations with unions. The Northumberland Strait crossing can run into some opposition. There were indi¬ cations a few weeks ago that a reassessment of the whole project was being con¬ sidered by Mr. Macllraith 's Department in Ottawa. The Opposition again raised the question and asked for unanimous consent to discuss the problem. The Premier, in refusing his consent, said that it was unnecessary because he had Mr. Macllraith 's assurance that such was not the case. The next day, however, it became apparent that such indeed was the case, and the Premier agreed to sponsor our resolution that the Federal Government accept its responsibilities in this respect and get on with the job of building the causeway. But it is still uncertain that Ottawa agrees; as a matter of fact, we have no guarantee from Ottawa that a reassessment and re¬ negotiation of contracts is not being considered. The Premier made an attempt at a show of strength when he invited "Louir the Raider" to Summerside to discuss the problem in great panic. I dont understand that move because everyone knows that Mr. Robichaud is about to be Van Home on that job, and I am sure that the meeting did not impress Ottawa. The Premier of Nova Scotia was ignored, and he, in my opinion is the only one of the three who could have brought any prestige or authority to the meeting, if it had to be held at all, which it didn't. This ridiculous side-show added nothing to the resolution of the problem. What was needed was a united front presented to Ottawa by this Province. We in the Opposition gave the Premier an opportunity to do this, and he turned it down, and preferred to seek the advice of the Premier of New Brunswick instead. That was clearly an attempt to make political hay for the Liberals and I dont think the people of this Province appreciated it in the least. However, in regard to the Causeway, there are other side issues which arise from the possible construction of