Chamber Past President Mark O’Keefe thanked Minister Roach with a Wayne Wright creation.
At our annual provincial budget breakfast on April 13, the Hon. Allen Roach was joined by the Hon. Tina Mundy and MLA Chris Palmer for a lively Q & A which ranged from immigration to affordable housing.
Noting that achieving a balanced budget is a step closer to providing more for the business community in coming years, Minister Roach noted that the government has invested $380 million in 850 local businesses, supported 20 trade shows and missions and is working with the other provincial governments on the Atlantic Growth Strategy.
Minister Roach said the province’s matching investment of up to $2 million will be used to help support businesses investing in export. He noted that the province already invests in an Atlantic fund but this local fund will allow lower thresholds.
This budget, he said, accomplished three main objectives: moving towards a surplus so we’ll have greater flexibility in coming years, holding the line on spending, while investing more in health and other priorities and reducing some taxes.
He also noted that PEI employment was higher than the national average and third highest in the country, our income growth was the highest in Canada and we are leading the Atlantic region in retail sales.