Candidate responses are listed in the order in which they were submitted.
Brian Ramsay
How will you work to ensure that a proportionate share of provincial resources is focused on growing the business community in Summerside?
As an elected member for Summerside-Wilmot, I will lobby my government team continuously for the business community in Summerside. This means that any industry, jobs and other benefits that can possibly come to Summerside will come to Summerside. To do this, I will also call on the other local support organizations to support me in bringing forward a united voice, because a united Summerside will be more successful in this endeavour. A PC government will expand public tendering for contracts and services and publish all contracts over $1,000. I will ensure that Summerside businesses have access to the public tendering process and know what projects are up for tendering.
Our party has already committed to establishing a Community infrastructure Program that will dedicate $50 million dollars over 5 years to enhance and improve roads, bridges, and other essential public works. We will encourage communities to champion projects that need attention. These priority projects are necessary investments for the future, and will stimulate job creation and growth and as the second largest community in PEI, Summerside will have proportionate opportunity to access this funding.
What is your position on the efficiency of accessing the current provincial government resources available to small businesses? Do you plan to advocate for any change to the current system?
For almost thirty years, I have been an entrepreneur in this area as a dealer/exporter in agricultural products, a financial planner and a business broker. I started a business brokerage in 2013 and learned first-hand about just how fractured this maze is. The resources, whether financial or non-financial were very fragmented with some located at one place and others located at another place.
Also, the availability of the resources are restrictive and narrow in accessibility. This is not a reflection on the people involved in the delivery process, but reflective on the current inefficient delivery model. If elected, I would lobby for improvement. A few years ago, a centre was established that was intended to be a one-stop shop for business and those who used it spoke highly of the service (Canada Business Service Centre). In today’s better connected world, we need the most efficient model for today that is as accessible in Summerside as in Charlottetown and also, just as easily accessed from other points in Prince Edward Island.
A PC government has committed to creating an accessible micro-lending program for entrepreneurs and small business start-ups. The Micro Lending Program would work hand in hand with the Start-Up Tool Kit, which will provide guidance, expertise and support to promote products and services, particularly on social media, and get those products and services to market.
We would support the Island Advance Initiative, which is focused on embracing entrepreneurship, stimulating immigration, and providing access to capital.
Many of the current government programs are geared toward start up businesses. There needs to be more incentives, programs and access to support for existing businesses to expand and grow.
Most businesses experience slow periods during the year. There needs to be a model in place to help support and offer assistance during these slow times, or to help plan for diversification, to help get through the slow periods.
How will you work with the municipality to attract more new businesses to Summerside? What is your plan for accomplishing that?
Under a PC Government, all PC. MLA’s will be tasked with developing an Economic Plan for their district within the first 100 days of being elected. PC MLA’s will be expected to engage their municipal/community council, constituents, businesses, organizations, etc. to identify opportunities for economic and community growth. I endorse this commitment as a way to highlight and focus government’s attention and commitment to the area’s needs and priorities .
We will work hard as elected PC Members to stimulate private sector job creation, attract new jobs, and grow our economy by identifying and securing export and growth opportunities in key sectors like aerospace, bioscience and IT, particularly in light of recently signed Free Trade Agreements with Europe and South Korea.
We will also aggressively pursue opportunities surrounding the $25 billion naval shipbuilding project.
Our PC Government will bridge entrepreneurship and infrastructure to drive job growth and prosperity.
In addition to this, Summerside’s mayor has a goal and a mandate to bring 1,000 new jobs into our city in the next 4 years. If elected, I will be bringing Provincial support to this ambitious endeavour, and hope to build a strong relationship with the Municipality of Summerside, the local Chamber of Commerce and other business supporting community entities.
What is your position on the City of Summerside Electrical Utility’s request for permission to build a transmission line to transmit power directly to/from Summerside from the new under-water cable that is being funded partially by the province?
Summerside currently sells about 15 percent of its electricity outside of the City. It is recognized in North America as having the highest percent of wind integration for a utility and exports power to New Brunswick. Summerside needs to build on this position. The City of Summerside and the Province need to work together for the benefit of both our City and the Province of PEI. This holds potential for benefitting present and future generations and will help Summerside area residents to maintain more control over taxes and expenses in the longer term.
The City is attempting to act in the best interest of its residents and as an elected representative of the City of Summerside, it will also be my mandate to act in the best interest of Summerside’s residents, its Municipal Government, and for the future of Summerside’s electrical independence.
How would you ensure local Summerside issues that require provincial government support are seen as a priority?
As mentioned above, it will be my mandate and responsibility to act in the best interest of Summerside’s residents. I will take that responsibility seriously and I will be a loud, collaborative and ever present voice for the district to ensure that Summerside’s issues become my issues and that I focus on those as a priority and keep those a priority during my time in elected office.
As indicated, a PC government will task PC MLAs, with developing an Economic Plan for their district within the first 100 days of being elected. My commitment will be to develop this economic development plan in consultation with municipal council, citizens, community groups and organizations. Those issues and plans identified during this collaborative process will be my goals and priorities going forward.
Additional issues, as will most certainly occur, will be brought to my attention through ongoing, open communications through having an open-door policy with City Council, community businesses, citizens and interest groups and organizations. It will be prudent and advantageous to develop and maintain relationships with community businesses, organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and City departments, such as Economic Development.
What ways will you work in your provincial capacity to lower the cost of operating a business in Summerside?
Businesses, whether large, medium or small, face similar challenges. Operating and running a business in Summerside is not immune to a lot of the same problems. The Province of Prince Edward Island has considerable impact on business with its policies and regulations. The Province has influence over taxes and tax rates, tax holidays and infrastructure, labour programs and labour cost offsets, and the businesses of Summerside have to know about these and how to apply for them. Information about programs and access to the programs, are key. One of the best ways to communicate to businesses in the Summerside area is through the local Chamber of Commerce, which can push information on cost-savings, out to the area businesses.
Summerside has many positive, strong attributes, but we need to be able to offer more to effect and entice businesses to move to our City. This will require us to have investment in infrastructure. We need to ensure that Summerside has better services, from utilities to technology infrastructure to transportation. If we invest in these areas, it will ensure that Summerside businesses can increase their efficiencies and competitiveness now, while assuring that business investment in our region will be sound investments for years to come.
How would you encourage a true buy local environment on PEI to truly support our local businesses?
As a former business owner, I know the importance of encouraging Islanders, and in particular – local residents to stop, shop and do business locally. The PC Party has already identified this (Buy-Local policy) as a priority. One way that we have identified, is that is a PC government would introduce a Local Food Strategy that will include Buy-Local Guidelines to ensure that provincially owned institutions like schools, hospitals and manors are supporting Island producers and buy-local policies. Other Buy-Local strategies will be implemented on a go forward basis.
Presently, initiatives exist that are moving us in this direction and for which I have tremendous admiration and respect. This month, Burger Love is an initiative that promotes consumption of Island beef. We (in my local campaign office) were discussing and commenting on how this initiative had, almost single-handedly, filled most of the local restaurants last Friday evening.
Another initiative is the #100localdollars on Twitter, asking locals to commit to buying $100 of local products and services. We also have local food production businesses who deliver Island products to customers weekly. I am proud of these initiatives and the people who are spearheading them. We can do more and better.
I am prepared to elevate these messages and challenge more Islanders to join these initiatives. We can brand PEI with recognizable labels and encourage retailers to help by increasing the visibility of Island goods and products. We can also promote Island products by helping with Cooperative advertising of Island products and services. There is a lot we can do, but the approach I advocate is that we work in partnership with our businesses and private sector.
Scott Gaudet
How will you work to ensure that a proportionate share of provincial resources is focused on growing the business community in Summerside?
Being a life long citizen of Summerside, I see the need and ability for our business community in Summerside. I will ensure that Summerside gets a fair portion of resources by lobbying MLA’s to show the ability of Summerside business to grow by attracting a greater portion of tourism dollars to increase visitors to Summerside all year round. Working with the City of Summerside and the Chamber I will help government see the potential that our little city has to offer small local business as well as larger market businesses.
What is your position on the efficiency of accessing the current provincial government resources available to small businesses? Do you plan to advocate for any change to the current system?
Talking with small business owners I hear that the current government are not making it easier to start up a business and are getting little or no help in running a small business. The current system is in need of change. The NDP has put forward a platform that will help islanders with small business by decreasing tax rates and introduce wage subsidies.
How will you work with the municipality to attract more new businesses to Summerside? What is your plan for accomplishing that?
I feel communication with the City of Summerside is a good start. Having regular meetings to keep all levels of government and the Chamber on the same page is vital to ensuring that all the key players are involved in making the right choices for business. My plan would be to utilize as many resources I can to attract new business with input from all members of the Chamber and those affected in such decisions. Also, I would look at the process of the current system to ensure that some of the “red tape” is removed. Making it easier for someone to start a business just makes sense.
What is your position on the City of Summerside Electrical Utility’s request for permission to build a transmission line to transmit power directly to/from Summerside from the new under-water cable that is being funded partially by the province?Residents of Summerside are proud to have such a wonderful Utility Service. If a long term benefit of having the cable come into Summerside and create good jobs I see no reason not to fight for this to happen. Having already announced that the NDP will remove the HST on renewable energy, Summerside has the ability to champion and grow business in the renewable energy sector. Greener jobs can attract many spin off businesses. If Summerside is generating its own power through wind turbines than it should be rewarded. The residents should also be rewarded and by putting more money into peoples wallets the more business will grow and prosper.
How would you ensure local Summerside issues that require provincial government support are seen as a priority?
Living in Summerside all my life it already is my priorty and I will lobby MLA’s and fight for local small business owners. Communicating with the Chamber of Commerce on a regular basis will ensure that, if elected, I will be informed and educated by all those affected to help make an educated and informed decision.
What ways will you work in your provincial capacity to lower the cost of operating a business in Summerside?
By cutting taxes on small business from 4.5% to 3%, which would be the lowest in Atlantic Canada. Making it easier for small business to get micro loans to help offset operating costs and to subsidize wages will help attract and keep honest, productive and educated workers seeking a good job.
How would you encourage a true buy local environment on PEI to truly support our local businesses?
Educating the public on the importance of buying local is a priority. Having a place such as the Summerside Farmers Market we have the ability to showcase island local business, so helping those local farmers and entrepreneurs promote and market their goods and services to local residents we can ensure our community prospers.