MONTAGUE, PE - Premier Dennis King along with PC Candidates Cory Deagle and Darlene Compton announced today that a re-elected PC government will introduce a number of measures to make life more affordable on Prince Edward Island.
Over the last four years, the PC government has responded with targeted measures to help Islanders in times of extraordinary need and with programs to help make life more affordable like rental vouchers, expanded access to public transit, direct payments to Islanders to assist with the cost of living, free heat pumps, and home energy efficiency upgrades, improved prescription drug coverage and just yesterday announced that a re-elected PC government would reduce childcare costs to $10 for all Island children enrolled in early learning centres before the end of 2023.
Today, Premier King announced that a re-elected PC government will:
- Increase the Basic Personal Exemption Amount to $15,000 over the next four years which will help all Islanders keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets;
- Increase the Seniors Tax Credit by 40% to $6,510 and raise the threshold to $36,000. This increase, along with the basic personal exemption amount increase, will mean Island seniors will not pay provincial tax on their first $21,000 in earnings;
- Introduce legislation to roll back property taxes to 2020 rates;
- Create a $500 Volunteer Tax Credit for coaches, leaders, and volunteers who volunteer with registered charities and non-profit organizations;
- Expand the Free Heat Pump program to include up to $100,000 household income by 2024; and
- Establishing a working group with the Federal Government to reduce Bridge and Ferry Tolls to $20.
These new measures are in addition to commitments that have already been announced by Premier Dennis King which include:
- Reduce childcare fees to $10 a day for all Island children enrolled in designated Early Years Centres before the end of 2023
- Provide rebates of up to $500 per year for Home-Based Medical Alert Systems for individuals over the age of 65 to allow seniors to stay at home longer and provide their families with peace of mind.
- Provide Free Tuition for RCWs, LPNs, and Paramedics studying on Prince Edward Island for a two-year return in service.
- Creating a Primary Caregiver Grant of up to $1,500 a month to support families who choose to keep their loved ones at home longer instead of entering community care
- Create a Portable Health Benefits Program to provide health, dental, and medication insurance for workers who may not be employed full-time, year-round, or those facing barriers to insurance coverage like seasonal workers, contract employees, and gig economy workers
- Doubling the Seniors Hearing Aid Rebate program to a maximum coverage of up to $6,000 instead of a maximum of $3,000 per individual
“Our PC government has been there for Islanders over the last four years as we faced unprecedented challenges. There isn’t a government in this country that responded like ours and that isn’t going to change,” said Premier Dennis King. “We know that the cost of living is a challenge for many Islanders and that is why we are introducing these measures - with more to come in the coming days - to make life more affordable for all Islanders.”
“While knocking on doors over the last few weeks I’ve had conversations on doorsteps and kitchen tables about how our government has responded to help Islanders over the last four years and how proud I am to be part of a government that does whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to support Islanders,” said PC Candidate Cory Deagle. “I am proud to see these measures announced today and know they will help Islanders in the weeks, months, and years to come.”