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However, facetiousness aside, I do know, of course, that there are a lot of problems involved with labor and management and we trust the legislation will be adequate, sufficient to deal with all these problems in the future. I wanted to say a few words with regard to the Economic Improvement Corp. I was a little con- cerned the other day when the Premier rather put the Opposition on the spot by suggesting that they might be criticizing some of the phases of this operation. I think the Premier went a little too far when he accused the Opposition of “back- biting” in this respect. It is the duty of the Opposition to criticize and scrutinize all these activities of the Government and it’s not right to try and blackmail the Opposition in being quiet when it’s a matter which may concern all the citizens of Prince Edward Island. The government should be able to remember that only two years ago, when they were in the Opposition, that there was a great how-do-you- do all over this Province. You could hear the undulating howls of the Opposition and the political party to which they belonged. At that time there were unjust criticisms and insinuations and whispering campaigns with regard to the industrial development projects in this Province.

Hon. Alexander B. Campbell: Are you pre—judging the Royal Commission’s report?

L. George Dewar: There were even rumors circulating which were definitely untrue and which permeated to all parts of this Province. Then, of course, when the Party assumed power we went on from there, not only to investigations but in- quisitions with respect to this matter, inquisitions taking place, investigations out- side of this Legislative Chamber where we felt that the matter should have been fairly aired and settled to the satisfaction of all the members of this Legislature. However, I assured the Premier that if the project is sound, the plan is good that the corporation brings forth, it probably won’t be without a few faults, and I cer- tainly think that he should agree that the Opposition would be negligent to the responsibilities that they hold if they did not point out any shortcomings that might be in it. However, if it is sound and it offers a solution to the problems, the serious problems that face this Province at the present time, then I assured the Premier and other Members of the Government that he will have the full support of at least this Member of the Opposition with respect to that plan. (Applause)

I’d like to say a few words with respect to housing in this Province. The Minister of Housing and the Minister of Municipal Affairs has undertaken to re- vitalize a program that was instituted and started by the former Government under the Ministry of Mr. McQuaid and I refer to the Co-Operative Housing Plan. I’m [glad to see that they have come to realize the merits of this program as they have come to realize the merits of many of the programs that were instituted and started by the former Government. This seems to me to be one of the only programs whereby many of the ordinary citizens of this Province can obtain a home and pay for it under the present high costs and exhorbitant interest rates. I know we’re all concerned to see that the Central Mortgage & Housing; is charging eight and five-eighths percent on money loaned for building houses and by the press the other day this is even going to be raised further which is a terrific rate for the ordinary citizen to pay for money over a long term for such a project. The former Government, and we were criticized for this and I must refer to the former Minister of Welfare who was Very interested in it, initiated a small program of trying to build or provide homes for the socially needy people of the Province and I think it was a very sound idea. It utilized the facilities of the Winter Works program and I do not think that the Winter Works program was ever put to a better use than when it was used to try and help provide a number of these people with at least a comfortable type of dwelling. It utilized the Winter Works program, it utilized the resources of the Dept. of Welfare and it utilized local financing through the local financing institutions and I think that was a very good program. However, it came under strong criticism at the time and later when the new Gov- ernment assumed office, I understand that it withered away and nothing further has been done about it. Many of those people are in desperate need of better hous— ing. I could refer to one family, five or six in the family, little children, who are living in a very poor dwelling. I can hardly understand how they can keep it from freezing in the winter months and I have repeatedly asked the Dept. of Welfare to

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