Speech from the Throne

The text of the most recent Speech from the Throne is provided below; previous speeches can be found under Related Links.

Speech from the Throne - Third Session, 67th General Assembly

Delivered by the Honourable Dr. Wassim Salamoun, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island, on March 25, 2026.

Introduction

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Members of the Legislative Assembly, invited guests, and fellow Islanders—it is my great honour as the representative of His Majesty the King, to welcome you to the third session of the 67th General Assembly of Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island has always been shaped by the determination of its people.

Islanders work hard, support their communities, and look out for one another. They take pride in the place they call home—and in the future we are building together.

Islanders expect their government to match that determination—to stay focused on the issues that matter most in their daily lives, and to take practical steps forward.

Across Prince Edward Island, families and businesses are facing real pressures.

The cost of groceries, housing, and everyday essentials weighs on household budgets. There are worries about the future and reliability of our energy system as demand grows. And there are questions about the ownership of the land that defines our province.

These are the issues shaping how Islanders live, work, and plan their future here at home—and they are shaping the work of this government.

Our Health

Our future depends on a healthcare system Islanders can rely on.

And that system begins with the people who make it work every day.

Across Prince Edward Island, our nurses, physicians, paramedics, allied-health workers, and healthcare staff show up when it matters most—delivering care with skill, compassion, and professionalism, often under immense pressure.

They are not strangers to us. They are our neighbours, our friends, and our family members.

They deserve our support and a system that is designed to support them in showing up for Islanders.

Like every province, we are facing real and growing pressures—from an aging population, to workforce challenges, to rising demand for care.
But what will define us is how we respond.

My government is focused on building a healthcare system that is sustainable—one that uses resources wisely, supports the people delivering
care, and ensures Islanders can get the care they need.

That means thinking differently about how care is delivered.

We are expanding team-based care through patient medical homes—bringing together physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals to better support patients.

We are continuing to recruit and retain healthcare workers, while also making better use of the skills we already have.

Expanding scope of practice allows more Islanders to receive care from the right provider—improving access and reducing pressure across the system.

We are reducing administrative burden, working with healthcare professionals to cut red tape and give them more time to focus on patients.

That includes expanding tools like AI Scribe, which helps reduce the time spent on documentation and allows providers to spend more time on delivering care.

We are also continuing to expand MyHealth PEI—making it easier forIslanders to access their health information, and allowing caregivers to access records so they can better support their loved ones.

And we are embracing new tools and technology that support better care— improving how services are delivered and how patients move through the system.

But we cannot do this work alone.

There will continue to a role for trusted partners in expanding capacity and improving access—including publicly funded, privately operated care—while ensuring our healthcare system remains public and accessible.

There is also a clear role for stronger regional cooperation across the Maritime provinces.

By working together on specialty services, shared corporate services, data sharing, and technological innovation, we can reduce duplication, lower costs, and deliver care more effectively.

When we act as a region, we can move faster, make better use of our resources, and strengthen our healthcare systems.

Because the goal is clear.

Improving access to care for Islanders—especially primary care—so people can get the care they need.

To address the shortage of providers, my government will partner with the province of Nova Scotia to support five internationally trained physicians already in Prince Edward Island through a practice-ready assessment program.

These physicians will receive the training and assessment needed to practice at their full scope—adding five new family physicians to our system over the next year.

This work builds on the progress at the UPEI Faculty of Medicine.

Last year, 20 Island students began their studies. This fall, an additional 20 students will begin.

Together, this is strengthening our physician pipeline and helping ensure our healthcare system is prepared for our future.

But, building capacity is only part of the work. We must improve how patients move through the system—making sure Islanders can get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

That includes mental health.

We are continuing to make progress in mental health and addictions care— expanding access, reducing wait times, and bringing services closer to where people live.

And we have built the infrastructure to support that work.

The Mental Health Campus brings services together in one place and creates a dedicated space where Islanders can access care, and where that care is delivered in a more coordinated and consistent way.

But improving access to care also means making sure our system can meet the needs of Islanders at every stage of life.

We recognize that there are gaps in access to fertility services for Island families.

We are taking action—providing $20,000 to support families with their initial treatment.

Because for many Islanders, starting or growing a family is not simple, and they deserve support.

There is more work to do to improve women’s health across our province.

The UPEI Faculty of Medicine includes a state-of-the-art clinical learning and simulation center, increased faculty and clinical teaching capacity and an integrated academic health training environment. This foundation will foster growth in additional partnerships for applied research investments including in areas to support women's health. And we will work with Nova Scotia to explore access for Islanders to its Menopause Centre of Excellence—helping ensure women have access to the care and expertise they need.

Supporting our seniors will continue to be a priority for my government.

Across Prince Edward Island, more Islanders are reaching their senior years—a generation that helped build this province and shape the communities we know today.

As they age, our healthcare system—particularly long-term care—is under increasing pressure.

This year, 85 new long-term care beds will come online, with another 200 beds over the next two years.

We will continue to support programs like self-managed care, giving seniors more choices and helping them stay in their homes longer.

Because for many Islanders, there is no better place to be than at home—with the right supports in place. That is why we will continue to invest in the Self- Managed Care Program at the At-Home Caregiver Benefit.

But, there is more work ahead.

And my government is committed to making sure Islanders—at every stage of life—can access the care they need, when they need it.

Because this is about more than capacity.

It is about trust.

It is about knowing the system will be there when you need it.

And it is about building a healthcare system that is strong—not just for today, but for the future.

Our Primary Industries

Our primary industries have been the foundation of our economy.

They are deeply rooted in our communities and they continue to support families across Prince Edward Island.

But, in recent years, they have faced real challenges.

From changing markets and input costs, to environmental challenges and disease impacts, Islanders working in these industries have had to adapt and respond.

And they have.

Farmers, fishers, and those working in aquaculture continue to produce high quality products and drive economic activity across our province.

My government understands the importance of these industries—not just to our economy, but to our way of life.

One of the clearest examples of that pressure can be seen in our oyster industry.

Over the past year, the emergence of MSX and Dermo in Island waters has had a real impact on growers, fishers, and processors across Prince Edward Island.

This is an industry that supports families and communities across our province—and one that has long been part of who we are.

My government has taken action to support those affected—providing financial relief, income stabilization, and support to help workers adapt and plan for the future.

But we cannot do this work alone.

We need the federal government to be a strong partner—to recognize the impact of these diseases and to provide the support and resources needed to help the industry recover and adapt.

Behind every lease and every harvest is a family, a livelihood, and a community that depends on it.

And because the future of this industry is part of our future as a province.

We will continue to stand with the industry as it responds to these challenges and works towards long-term sustainability.

We are seeing that same pressure in our agriculture sector.

Farmers across Prince Edward Island are adapting to more unpredictable conditions– from drought to changing growing seasons.

Last year was a difficult one in many parts of the province. Conditions were dry, and yields were impacted.

But what stands out is how Island farmers are responding.

They are adapting. They are innovating. And they are planning for the long term.

We are seeing changes in crop varieties—with new, more resilient potatoes being planted that require less input, withstand dry conditions, and deliver strong yields.

We are seeing more investment in irrigation and better preparation for the kind of seasons we know are becoming more common.

This is not easy work.

But it speaks to the resilience of an industry—and of the people behind it.

And it speaks to something larger.

Because the future of our agriculture sector is not just about production—it is about sustainability, competitiveness, and the ability for the next generation to continue building their lives here.

That means supporting succession planning—making it easier for Island farmers to pass their operations on, and for young Islanders to take the next step into agriculture.

That is why we will introduce the Next Generation Tax Holiday for young farmers because if we want this industry to grow we need to make it possible for the next generation to enter it.

Because this industry is an important part of our future.

We will continue to support our primary industries as they respond to changing conditions and plan for the future.

Because these industries are not just part of our history—they are an important part of our future.

Our Education

Our future begins with Island children.

Ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed is one of the most important responsibilities we have.

That work begins in the early years.

My government will continue to support early learning across Prince Edward Island—ensuring families continue to have access to quality care and education for their children.

Early childhood educators play a critical role in the development of our youngest Islanders.

They are shaping the foundation for learning, for confidence, and for success in school and in life.

We will continue to support early childhood educators—including through ongoing investments in their compensation.

Because a strong early learning system depends on the people who deliver it every day.

As children move through the education system, that commitment continues.

We are making sustained investments in schools across the province, building new schools, upgrading existing schools, and ensuring students have modern, safe environments to learn in.

But strong schools are built by strong people.

That is why we will continue to support educators in the classroom—increasing supports for students, expanding behavioral supports, and ensuring school staff have the time and resources they need to do their work.

When students are supported, they succeed.

We know that training and post-secondary education are key to supporting our workforce—and to shaping our future.

We also know that cost can be a barrier for many Island families.

That is why my government will continue to support programs like the George Coles Bursary and the Marion L. Reid Bursary—helping Islanders access the education and training they need.

Because when students can build their skills here at home, they are more likely to build their lives here as well.

And as we look to the future, we must also ensure young Islanders have a voice in shaping it.

My government will re-establish the Premier’s Youth Council—creating an opportunity for young people across the province to share their priorities and we can learn from their perspectives.

Because the decisions we make today will shape their future—and they deserve a voice in those decisions.

We also recognize that supporting children means supporting families.

That is why my government will enhance the PEI Child Benefit—providing direct support to families and helping make life more affordable. And we will continue to invest in the supports families rely on every day, including the school food program, free school supply program, and affordable early learning and childcare.

We also know that keeping children safe must always be a priority.

In response to the findings of the Jenkins report, we are taking steps to strengthen how we protect our children and youth and support families.

Because investing in our children and youth is an investment in our future.

Our Communities

Our future is shaped by our past.

For generations, Lennox Island and Abegweit First Nations have been part of the story of this Island—their history, their culture, and their contributions are fundamental to who we are today.

My government will continue to work in partnership with First Nations to support economic prosperity in their communities.

We remain committed to strengthening relationships, supporting economic development, and ensuring First Nations leaders have a voice in shaping the path forward.

Arts and culture are part of who we are as Islanders.

They tell our stories. They reflect our communities. And they shape how others experience Prince Edward Island.

Across the country, arts and culture sectors have faced real challenges. In some provinces, support has been reduced, and governments have stepped back.

That is not the choice we are making.

We know that arts and culture matter—not just because of who we are, but because of what they bring to our communities and our economy.

They support jobs. They strengthen our tourism sector. And they help make our communities vibrant places to live and visit.

My government will continue to support arts and culture in Prince Edward Island—and the Islanders who are part of it.

Because as we look to our future, we know that growth is not only about infrastructure.

It is also about the strength of our communities, and the culture that defines us.

Strong communities require more than growth—they require stability, services, and infrastructure that people can rely on.

My government will continue working with municipalities to ensure they have stable, predictable funding and the tools they need to deliver services and plan for the future.

That includes supporting shared service models that make local governance stronger, more efficient, and better able to meet the needs of growing communities.

It also means investing in the infrastructure that connects our communities—from roads to public spaces and community facilities that Islanders rely on every day.

We will continue investment through our municipalities; helping communities expand water, wastewater, and road infrastructure so more housing can be built and more communities can grow.

My government will be open to new ways of building and delivering infrastructure—working with partners and leveraging expertise to get projects done faster and more efficiently.

We also need to think differently about how we use the infrastructure we already have.

Across Prince Edward Island, we have community spaces, like schools, at the heart of our communities.

We need to make better use of those spaces to bring people together, support community activity, and strengthen connections between Islanders.

Public Safety is fundamental to strong communities.

Islanders need to feel safe where they live—in their homes, on their streets, and in their communities.

This means not only strong enforcement, but also a broader focus on community safety and well-being—addressing challenges early, supporting prevention, and strengthening the systems that help keep communities safe.

Programs like the Joint Enforcement Team are making a real difference, and my government will continue to support and strengthen those efforts in partnership with our law enforcement agencies.

We are also expanding initiatives that enhance community safety, including a youth cyber violence strategy, strengthened bail supervision, and the next phase of therapeutic court services.

My government will be taking a more coordinated approach to intimate partner violence—working with community partners to improve prevention, close gaps in support, and ensure people can access help when they need it.

Safer communities also depend on people having the supports they need in their daily lives.

That means improving supports for persons with disabilities—ensuring people can fully participate in their communities and access the services they need.

And it also means continuing to address food security—so Islanders have reliable access to healthy, affordable food.

Because strong communities are the foundation of the future we are building.

Our Future

Prince Edward Island is growing.

We are seeing it in our communities, in our workforce, and in the demand for services across this province.

That growth brings opportunity. It also brings pressure.

Pressure on our healthcare system.

Pressure on housing.

Pressure on our schools, our roads, and the infrastructure Islanders rely on every day.

And government has a responsibility to respond to that.

To protect the services people rely on, and to take a steady balanced approach in the decisions we make.

The same approach applies when it comes to energy.

To grow our economy in a way that is steady and sustainable.

To make sure Islanders can find a place to live.

To make sure they can access the care they need.

And to keep building the infrastructure that supports our future.

This is not a moment to step back. It is a moment to stay focused and continue the work.

In recent years, Islanders have faced real challenges—from COVID-19, to Fiona, to global uncertainty that continues to affect costs and supply chains.

Through it all, Islanders have relied on their public services.

And our government has made a deliberate choice—to protect those services—and to keep investing in Islanders.

We are building a province that is more resilient, more prepared, and ready for what comes next.

We will stay focused.

We will keep doing the work.

Because our future depends on it.

Thank you. Merci. Wela’lin.