P.E.I. budget lacks 'transformational' projects needed, Opposition says

P.E.I's provincialbudget isa "basket of promises and programs," and misses the opportunity for systemic change in areas like health-care, early childhood education and social assistance, says the Official Opposition.

PC Party Finance Minister Darlene Compton delivered the $2.7-billion provincial operating budget in the legislature Thursday.

"There are not any major transformational projects or programs, and that's really what we need to be seeing at this time in this phase of government," said Green Party MLA Hannah Bell.

And Bell said she doesn't have confidence the government willfollow through on all thepromises the budgetdid make.

"I mean, we've had promises for the mental health hospitaland clearlythat's not here. The mobile health units took years to get going."

'A pretty ambitious budget'

The budget includes modest spending increases, along with a number of eye-catchingbut low-cost new initiatives like$100 rebates toward the cost of a new bicycle.

Bell said she would prefer to have seen, for example,direct investment in development of housing that is publicly owned and operated, as well as "transformational changes" in health-care and early childhood education.

This is a time when we should be applying the lessons that we've learned, rather than going back to the way it used to be. Green Party MLA Hannah Bell

"There are fundamental issues, for instance, with how we hire and retain educators. We also know that our social safety net has been really stretched during COVID, and this is a time when we should be applying the lessons that we've learned, rather than going back to the way it used to be."

Liberal Leader Sonny Gallant said it isn't a "terrible" budget, but lacks a long-termvision in someareas that impact Islanders.

"It's a pretty ambitious budget and is a lot of money for a lot of different departments and a lot of little pockets of money here and there, but there doesn't seem to be anyreal substance to where they're going forward with, you know, health."

He said it's good the province ishiring more doctors, but many moregeneral practitioners are needed to decrease the number of people on the patient registry.

Gallant also said there should be more in the budget to address the lack of long-term care beds.