Wednesday, May 17, 1967

compared to the four months in 1966 is much more favourable in 1967. It is h

that when the statistical division of our Department gets into operation we will have more substantial figures, reported from month to month, so that we will be able to compare from year to year Just how we are progressing on the creation of new jobs.

With regard to wage increases, it is apparently difficult, Mr. Speaker, to con- vince the members of the Opposition that wages in Prince Edward Island have not increased. I would just like to read a release from the Dominion Bureau of Statistics which I quoted in the Draft Address which states as follows: “Re 'onal income more than the national average in New Brunswick, Quebec, Sa tchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Manitoba also experienced increases but they were below the 12.2% rate." The national average. as reported by the Dominion Bureau of Statistics in comparing the statistics of 1966, that is December 31, 1966, to the period ending December 81, 1965, there was in Canada an increase of 12.2% and Prince Edward Island’s increase was 10.4 million which meant an overall increase in wages in 1966 over 1965 of from seven to eight million dollars. (Applause).

I would also like to refer, Mr. Speaker, to a very noteworthy announcement that was made this morning, and I think the item is carried in the evening newsp paper. I will read extracts from it which have a bearing on the announcement that shows that wages will go up in Prince Edward Island. This is a release of the Build- ers' Exchange which was released this morning. “More than 300 labourers in the Prince Edward Island construction industry will receive fatter pay envelopes be-

ginning May 19th. This is the result of a 12% wage increase announced today by the General Contractor’s Section of the Builders’ Exchange Association. The new

adjustment is a dramatic 40% hike in the prevailing rates for labourers over the past

two years. A 25% increase was granted last spring at the beginning of the con- tracting season.

In making the announcement the Builders’ Exchange noted that the new wage level brings Island labourers to an equivalent or hourly rate of that being paid by contractors throughout the Atlantic Provinces where the economy and population level is roughly on a par. Only labourers in major cities, and in industrial areas make a higher rate of pay to compensate for the higher cost of living. For labourers work- ing the standard 44-hour week the new wage rate will mean a weekly pay cheque of $61.60, an incrase of $6.60 per week. The wage boost does not come about as a result of negotiations with the labourers, but because of a builders exchange licy of periodic review on wage rates and working conditions to ensure that Islan lab- ourers are kept on a par with those working in other areas of the Atlantic Prov- inces. The Exchange says, ‘The increase is tangible evidence of its intention to pro- mote good labour management relations with all contracting trades to the ultimate benefit to both employer and em loyee in accordance with principles adopted at The Labour Management Conference eld in April of this year." And I might say, Mr. Speaker, I think this is a big step forward. With the construction people taking this

initiative, this is going to have a tremendous impact all across the province on labour rates. (Applause).

On checking with the contractors this morning . . . .

Walter R. Shaw: Did the government have anything to do with that? Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: Sir, I will tell you it did. It did, indirectly. Walter R. Shaw: I know, that’s all I wanted to know.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: The labour policy . . . . Walter R. Shaw: You answered me; now you needn’t go any further.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: Well, Sir, it certainly didn’t comes as a result of the good policies of the Opposition.

Walter R. Shaw: You didn’t have the first thing to do with it.

Honourable J. Elmer Blanchard: We sure did, Sir. Walter R. Shaw: You didn't!

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