P.E.I.'s provincial treasurer has put to rest any notion that seniors homes on the Island might be built through a public-private partnership.
'What ... company was going to be able to guarantee any kind of financing?'— Bill MacKinnon, CUPE
The announcement, made as part of the presentation of the capital budget on Friday, follows a major campaign against P3 financing by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
"Our new manors will be government built, government owned and government run," Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan told the legislature.
Bill MacKinnon, national representative for CUPE, said P3 is never a good option for public buildings, adding that in the current economic climate it is not even a realistic option.
"What … company was going to be able to guarantee any kind of financing of any sort, and where were they going to get it?" said MacKinnon.
Construction will begin in the spring on new manors to replace the ones in Charlottetown, Summerside and Souris. The province plans to spend $50 million on new manors over the next five years.
Sheridan said he is looking for the private sector to become involved in other projects, including a biocommons industrial park, for which there is $5 million allocated in next year's budget.
Share Tools
Latest Prince Edward Island News Headlines
- Liquor store discussion heats up legislature
- The Opposition raised questions in the provincial legislature Friday over the decision to close the Wood Islands liquor store. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- While reaction continues to brew over Thursday's announcement about changes to the Employment Insurance program, P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz says provincial officials will be meeting with the federal government to discuss how the new rules will affect Islanders. more »
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- Although the proposed harmonized sales tax is good for business, it will hit low-income Islanders the hardest when it's rung in next April, said economists. more »
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Charlottetown's Fred Hyndman was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada Friday. more »
Top News Headlines
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after completing a six-game series win Friday night over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
- The federal government is scrapping two review boards used by people appealing decisions made about their employment insurance. more »
- Teens share bullying tales in confession booth
- Raw stories about bullying emerged when a video booth was set up inside a Quebec high school. more »
- EI rules will hurt primary trades, says P.E.I. premier
- P.E.I. quality of life second-worst, says study
- HST to hit low-income earners hardest
- 902 numbers running out in N.S., P.E.I.
- Islanders worried over EI changes
- Charlottetown businessman named to Order of Canada
- Atlantic Lottery replacing old VLTs
- Tourism P.E.I. handed out $60,000 in free golf passes
- Red Shores Raceway's fastest horse put down
