Legislative Assembly

The Government of Prince Edward Island is about to add another plan, the Economic Improvement Corporation’s comprehensive plan, which may also be at cross purposes of some of the other planners. No one knows what they are doing since we are not going to be allowed to discuss is. Moreover the plan for the Island is being prepared by a dozen non-Islanders and it is to be imposed upon us without our consent, and without any knowledge of the plan or its consequences.

We in the Opposition are not against economic planning. We believe it is ne- cessarv if it does not involve regimentation and coercion of our people. We do think, however, that there must be a free and full discussion of any such important matter involving the future of the whole Province. There has been so much secrecy of this so-called development plan that we are tempted to conclude that it is no more than a myth and another Liberal welfare scheme.

Our second objection to the manner in which the development scheme is being projected is that it will be imposed upon us. We should have more discussion about this, the people of the Island are not so many children who will do exactly What the paternal Liberal Government will direct, they are not so many puppets who will res- pond predictably when a dozen so—called economic experts pull the strings. A noted economist said recently in a lecture to APEC that planning for a region works not only from the top down, but also from the bottom up. So let us have some discussion and debate on this so-called plan for this whole Province, the matter is too important to be left to a dozen or so experts, the names of whom the government will not even table in this House.

Hon. Robert E. Campbell: Let the Doctors raise their fees again twenty-eight to thirty per cent. Everybody will go to the poorhouse.

J. Cyril Sinnott: Mr. Speaker, I make no apologies for dwelling so long on the matter of economics, because, in the complex society in which we live, a good deal of economic planning is really necessary. However, I think it is the function of any government to encourage and advise, as well as to use public funds wisely in promoting economic development. I think it is fair to say that our capitalistic society has evolved to the point where we can no longer depend entirely upon private investment in order to develop our resources. There must be public and governmental investment as well. That is not to say that we advocate or even encourage government control in econo- mic planning. Far from it, but we do suggest that our government’s role should be one of encouragement and promotion of our Island’s potential, as well as a willingness to invest public money in the future of our farming and fishing industries. This, of course, is a gradual process and it is based upon goodwill and mutual trust.

I think that the Shaw Government gave a tremendous impetus to this during the period of 1961 to 1965, and the reports of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Coun- cil, and even of the Economic Council of Canada reflect that. But unfortunately all of this stopped short in the summer of 1966. and we now find ourselves back in the

doldrums of Jones and Matheson.

Patronage, politics and a proliferation of jobs for the Liberal Party faithful are now the order of the day. (Applause)

There is no concern for our farmers and fishermen, no new industry has estab- lished here recently, and none can be expected in the present poisonous economic cli— mate. Money is being wasted on paVIng roads on which nobody lives.

Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald: Now really.

J. Cyril Sinnott: Welfare cheques are clogging the mailbags to districts represented by Liberals, and even the Blue Cross Medical Care Plan is being used for political purposes. We have been told by the Provincial Treasurer that we must tighten our belts and cut spending. I would be the first to agree with him, but I suggest that he begin the program of thrift closer to home. I must admit that he has tried and failed. Several months ago he sent a memo to most of the Ministers in the Govern- ment enjoining them to live within their budgets and, if possible, cut their spending. Their response, of course, is well known; an extra expenditure of some $12,000,000 and if the Treasurer cannot control these irresponsible fellows, who can? There does not seem to be anyone who can take a firm hand with any of those Ministers and

give our people a sound fiscal policy. —278—