Finance Mandate Letter

Honourable Jill Burridge

Minister of Finance
2nd Floor Shaw South
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8

Dear Minister Burridge,

I am pleased to have you serve as the Minister of Finance.   

On April 3, 2023, we were given a mandate by Islanders to continue to work towards building a brighter, bolder, and better future for our province.  We made a commitment to work with Islanders, and for Islanders – and that motto should be the basis of how you conduct yourself in your actions as Minister.  We must engage Islanders, have real conversations, and put the interest of Islanders at the heart of every decision we make as a government.

Over the last four years we have proven to Islanders that we can navigate many challenges.  We must continue to show courage, strength and above all else, leadership when it comes to the challenges we are faced with.   Change is sometimes difficult, but with your proven ability to stand up and meet challenges head-on, I’m confident that you will make the best decisions to move our province forward.  

Our government has always led with positivity and has served with humility and kindness.  I expect this to continue in our second mandate.   We have shifted the political landscape in PEI to be more collaborative in nature.  I have always said, it doesn’t matter where good ideas come from – if it’s a good idea, and it improves the lives of Islanders – we should consider it.   I want you to have regular communication with your legislative colleagues on all sides of the Legislature to provide opportunities for input and feedback.

As Minister, you and your leadership team will play a critical role in contributing to the commitments we have made to Islanders.  You are responsible for the conduct of the department you oversee and must be aware and adhere to the values of the public service in your interactions with the Islanders and the public service.  Most importantly, you have Cabinet Colleagues that serve alongside of you; whenever and wherever possible, you should work collaboratively with them to break down silos and reduce barriers to accessing services by working together across Departments.  

As Minister of Finance, you will:

• Increase the Fitness and Activity Tax Credit to $1,000 for registration or membership fees to artistic, cultural, recreational or physical activity programming;
• Re-evaluate the provincial income tax bracket model to be more competitive and leave more money in the pockets of Islanders, especially low-income Islanders and middle-income families;
• Modernize government procurement policies to prioritize local products and services while respecting trade agreements;
• Increase the Basic Personal Exemption Amount to $15,000 over the next four years;
• Increase the Seniors Tax Credit by 40% to $6,510 and raise the threshold to $36,000;
• In 2023, introduce legislation to roll back residential property taxes to 2020 levels to prevent a sharp rise in property taxes in 2024;
• Create a $500 Volunteer Tax Credit for coaches, leaders, and volunteers who volunteer with registered charities and non-profit organizations;
• Provide a $500 Tutor Credit for students who need additional support to achieve success in their education journey;
• Mandate minimum four-year funding agreements for non-profit organizations who receive government funding;
• Working with the Minister Responsible for Acadian and Francophone Affairs, develop an incentive program for bilingual training to expand French services in the public service;
• Work with the Minister of Health and Wellness to streamline the hiring process for health care workers including the ability to provide Job Guarantees to those enrolled in health care training programs;
• Review and modernize the hiring process within the Public Service Commission; and
• Working with cabinet colleagues, identify occupations where micro-credentialing programs could assist with filling gaps in the public service.

While you accomplish your work, I ask that you assess the impacts of each policy decision by using evidence-based tools and frameworks to ensure we always consider the impacts on climate, gender, diversity, and vulnerable individuals before implementing a decision.  

As we progress through our mandate, we will work together to identify further refinement and priorities of focus.  We must be nimble as a government and be able to adapt to the realities of what Islanders are facing each and every day.   To do this, I ask that you have regular outreach with key stakeholders connected to your department and the work that your department does.  Along with the leadership in your department, I ask that you regularly communicate with stakeholders and community organizations.  

I look forward to working with you to improve the lives of all Islanders.

Sincerely,

Hon. Dennis King
Premier of Prince Edward Island
CC.     Denise Lewis-Fleming, Deputy Minister – Department of Finance