Legislative Assembly

In the road construction industry between seven and eight miles of resurfac- ing was carried out in Charlottetown and a paving program is being completed in Parkdale, and a considerable amount of paving was done in Sherwood. In addition, the North River Road was widened and repaved and brought up to standard as a main entrance to the City, and the government contributed the sum of $27,000 to this project.

The City of Charlottetown is experiencing considerable difficulty in meeting the high costs of servicing the community. The City Council, Charlottetown School Board and the Commissioners of Sewer and Water have done an excellent job in administering the revenue of the City and keeping the tax rate at a reasonable level.

However, the cost of education makes up 34.04% of the City Budget, and I was pleased to hear my colleague, the Minister of Education, say in his speech that through a different form of educational taxation under consideration some hope is held for relief of the taxpayers of the City. In any event, the government has agreed to continue the payment of their annual grant of $22,500 of this past several years on the amalgamation of Spring Park Village and Charlottetown, and a thorough review of government grants to the City will be under taken during the coming year.

There is a particular problem in this area which needs attention, and it is in the field of traffic safety. The Railway crossing on Allen Street is a treacherous death-trap and a great many fatal accidents have taken place here. I believe, that in the coming year a great effort should be made to have a proper signal system placed at this crossing on a street which carries so much traffic.

In the summer of 1967, Mr. Speaker, I had occasion to attend a Dominion- Provincial Conference in Ottawa, I was privileged to hear the musical concert staged before the Parliament Buildings by the Summerside High School Band, The Char- lottetown Centennial Choir and the Charlottetown Legion Choir. I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, that I felt a tremendous flush of Island pride as I listened to the performances and watched the impact that these performances made on the huge audiences before which they performed. They also performed at Expo, and the High School Band attained the top honours of the nation at Toronto’s Canadian National

Exhibition.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that this is the last Session in which the present Leader of the Opposition will preside as the chief of his Party. When this Session ends it will be like the passing of an era in our political history, because whether we are politically opposed to his Party or not, we have to recognize Mr. Walter Shaw as a dominating personality not only in the Legislature but in the political life of this Province for the past decade. (Prolonged Applause) Having served faithfuly in the public service of the Province for most of his life, he took over the reins of his party at an age when most people are now five years retired. He breathed life into that Party and shortly afterwards brought it to power and presided over the destinies of the Province as Premier from 1959 to 1966. From a political point of view of course, I can’t say too many good words about him, his government or his policies, if they had any. But I can say that Walter Shaw has made a tremendous contribution to his Province and the welfare of its people both as Premier and as Opposition Leader. I have often marvelled at his tremendous vitality and his phy- sical and mental strength. He retires as a man young in spirit and enthusiasm. We wish, you, Sir, many years of health to enjoy your retirement, and we will all miss your thundering shafts directed at the Government Benches.

And that leads us to wonder who is going to lead the Party after June first next?

Russell Driscoll: Don’t worry, we have lots of them.

Hon. J. Elmer Blanchard: We, on this side of the House are most interested in finding out who will get the nod. There doesn’t seem to be too many interested. The only declared ones seems to be the senior member from First Queens (Applause) and the ambitious Doctor from Fifth Kings who is a strong opponent of Medicare.

Some Member: Both good men.

—142—