(KENSINGTON, PEI) – March 27, 2019 – In advance of the 2019 provincial election, an alliance of more than 20 Prince Edward Island business organizations and industry associations today launched the Partnership for Growth. Comprised of organizations representing thousands of businesses across the province, the Partnership for Growth embraces a shared vision to make P.E.I. a leader in Canada for sustainable growth and economic performance.
The Partnership for Growth called on all provincial parties to commit, if elected, to working with the private sector to establish an economic action plan that will help realize this vision and move the Island’s economy forward. The Partnership is calling for the plan to be completed in the first six months following the provincial election.
“A thriving economy allows us to collectively pay for the things that shape our quality of life – healthcare, education, social services and environmental stewardship. Successful businesses provide jobs and provide governments with the revenues that support these services and programs,” said Partnership for Growth spokesperson, Penny Walsh-McGuire. “We’ve seen positive momentum in the Island’s economy and for that growth to continue, we need to come together with aligned goals, and a plan to achieve those goals.”
The alliance presented a framework with six key priorities that must be considered in achieving this vision. Priorities include people, competitiveness, innovation and investment, infrastructure, alignment and quality of life. The Partnership proposed specific growth targets for the province’s economic performance for the next five years in areas including GDP growth, export sales, population growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It is expected that these targets will be monitored and reported on annually.
“Neither governments nor business can achieve this vision alone. If government creates the conditions for businesses to grow and prosper, the private sector will respond with investment and innovation in the products and services the market demands,” said Walsh-McGuire. “This will create jobs and generate the revenue that pays for the services Islanders deserve.”
The Partnership for Growth has asked all political parties to respond in writing to confirm their commitment to working with the private sector in developing the economic action plan, and present their views on how best to achieve this vision for sustained economic growth.
The Partnership for Growth alliance includes Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, RDÉE I.P.E., Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce, Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, Kensington & Area Chamber of Commerce, West Prince Chamber of Commerce, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association, Chartered Professional Accountants P.E.I., Construction Association of P.E.I., Creative P.E.I., P.E.I. BioAlliance, P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture, P.E.I. Fisherman’s Association, P.E.I. Real Estate Association, Retail Council of Canada, Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I., P.E.I. Automobile Dealers Association, and Chartered Professionals in Human Resources P.E.I.
“The commitment and collaboration shown by the business community in developing this framework, right across the province and across industries, has exceeded expectations. It’s very encouraging,” adds Walsh-McGuire. “We invite individuals and businesses who share this vision, to join the Partnership in support.”
The Partnership for Growth framework and call to action can be found at www.peipartnershipforgrowth.ca . Individuals or businesses can show their support for the Partnership by uploading their logo or business name to the website.
-30-
Photo Cutline: PEI Partnership for Growth Partners: Front Row (L-to-R): Jennifer Evans – Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Erin McGrath-Gaudet – Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Raymond Arsenault – Acadian & Francophone Chamber of Commerce, Sheri Somerville- Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, Mitchell Jollimore – PEI Fisherman’s Association, Rory Francis – PEI BioAlliance, Sam Sanderson – PEI Construction Association, Tanya O’Brien – Chartered Professional Accountants of PEI, Lisa Doyle-MacBain – PEI Automobile Dealers Association, Greg Lipton – PEI Real Estate Association. Back Row (L-to-R): Mark Sandiford – Creative PEI, Detry Carragher – Chartered Professionals in Human Resources PEI, Troy Handren, Sobeys – Representing the Retail Council of Canada, Kevin Mouflier – Tourism Industry Association of PEI, Robert Godfrey – PEI Federation of Agriculture, Penny Walsh-McGuire – Partnership for Growth Spokesperson (English)/ Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce, Tara Burke – Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce, Christine Cousins- Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce, Tammy Rix – West Prince Chamber of Commerce, Tara Maddix – Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, Martin Marcoux – Partnership for GrowthSpokesperson (French)/ RDÉE Île-du-Prince-Édouard
Media contact:
PEI Partnership for Growth
Penny Walsh McGuire, Spokesperson (English)
Martin Marcoux, Spokesperson (French)
peipartnershipforgrowth@gmail.com
www.peipartnershipforgrowth.ca
#PEIPartnershipforGrowth