Education focus of throne speech

A new session of the P.E.I. Legislative Assembly opened Wednesday with the speech from the throne, which included a number of new education initiatives.

The government announced plans for the first common assessment for high school students, a math test to be delivered to grade 11 students. The speech noted improvements in test results for elementary and junior high school students, and promised the same at the high school level.

These assessments will establish clear standards, and provide insights on how to improve our high school curriculum and teaching approaches as we have done in the earlier grades, the speech says.

• On mobile? Kerry Campbell tweets from the legislature here

In addition, a literacy exam is being developed for grade 12 students. A satisfactory outcome on this exam will be required, or students will not be able to graduate. Students who do not initially meet the standard will receive further learning support.

The government is also planning new investments in information technology in schools.

• Wireless internet will be available in all schools within the next five years.
• 7,000 new computers in the school system by 2016-17.

The speech also noted a new partnership between the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, and College Acadie to offer a selection ofpost-secondary courses from Holland Colleges Waterfront Campus in Summerside.

Cosmetic pesticide control promised for municipalities

The P.E.I. government will provide municipalities with the power to ban the use of cosmetic pesticides.

Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall have all asked for legislative changes to allow them to control pesticides use.

The government also plans to amend regulations under the Pesticides Control Act to allow for the use of more organic products.

Bulking up beef industry

The speech from the throne includes an announcement of more than $5 million in funding to expand the provinces beef industry.

The international food industry is undergoing fundamental and rapid change, it says.

To succeed in this changing market, Prince Edward Island must adapt its products, marketing approaches and trade relationships.

As part of those initiatives the government will provide up to $2 million to expand feeder cattle inventory for the beef industry, and up to $3.3 million to create a supply of lean beef to the Atlantic Beef Products processing plant in Borden-Carleton for a new lean hamburger product.

The government is also planning a Farmland Financing Program to encourage younger people to get into farming. It will provide access to up to 100 per cent loan financing for new farmers to acquire land.

On the health care front, the government reiterates its commitment to a new addictions and mental health strategy, and announcesa new service model for adults with mental health and addictions problems who are part of the criminal justice system.

A new approach to enforcement of environmental regulations will see a focus on alternative measures and a new environmental damages fund to pay for restoration of damaged habitat.

A provincial museum also raises its head. The Liberals promised to begin planning for a provincial museum during the campaign that saw it voted into government in 2007. The speech says the government is exploring options to establish a provincial museum as a legacy project for 2017, during celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, and is looking for the federal government to help with funding.