Province announces more financial support for Islanders
To ensure that no Islander is left behind due to the impact of COVID-19, the Province of Prince Edward Island today announced additional financial benefits to support small businesses, the self-employed and employees.
“Our economy runs through the hard work and perseverance of Islanders,” said Premier Dennis King. “We need to ensure they can weather this challenging time. Together, we are prepared to recover as quickly as possible.”
Earlier today, the federal government announced $27 billion in direct support for people and businesses. The Province of Prince Edward Island will continue to work with our federal counterparts to make sure all workers and self-employed have the supports they need to get through this crisis.
“Every day, Island businesses are having to make difficult decisions with respect to their operations and our government is putting measures in place to respond quickly to meet their needs,” said Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture, Matthew MacKay.
New supports announced today by the Province of Prince Edward Island include:
- deferring all scheduled loan payments for clients of Finance PEI, Island Investment Development Inc., and the PEI Century Fund for the next 3 months;
- providing $4.5 million to Community Business Development Corporations across the province to deliver financing to small business and entrepreneurs; and
- a temporary allowance of $200 per week for anyone who has experienced a significant drop in their working hours.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the health and safety of our Island children, the Chief Public Health Officer announced earlier this week the closure of provincially licensed early childhood centres. Today, Minister of Education and Lifelong Learning, Brad Trivers provided greater detail on how the province will support early childhood educators, child care operators and parents.
“The supports we are extending to those impacted will help alleviate some of the financial pressure families and workers are feeling. As we move forward together in this, Islanders can expect that government will be alongside with you to support you,” said Minister Trivers.
We will be supporting licensed operators by ensuring:
- all child care spaces are maintained;
- staff are eligible for employment insurance benefits;
- provincial operational grants and subsidies are continued; and
- the ability to apply for business support grants is provided.
Additionally, emergency child care services will be available to essential workers who have no other alternative during this pandemic.
If you are an essential service worker with children and require child care, please fill out the online form survey at Emergency Child Care Services.
For a list of phone numbers for government services, visit Contact Us.
Media Contact:
Amanda Hamel
Executive Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Office of the Premier
(902) 368-4400
ahamel@gov.pe.ca
Backgrounder
Government Operations Update – March 18, 2020
Reminder - With Access PEI closed, there will be a 60 day grace period on vehicle registration and drivers’ licence renewals. Our police partners have been informed of the grace period.
Public Access to Provincial Buildings and Services
All non-essential provincial government services have been halted, in most cases for a period of two weeks, with an update to be provided at a later date.
Many provincial offices and buildings are closed to the public. If you require government services, use online services and phone services where applicable.
Upcoming closure to the public – starting March 19, 2020 at 2pm
- PEI Liquor Control Commission government-operated retail locations.
- Note - Agency stores licensed to sell liquor and breweries will continue to operate. We will monitor the situation at agency stores, in partnership with Dr. Morrison to ensure operations are done safely.
- PEI Cannabis retail stores. Online and mail delivery will continue.
Provincial offices currently closed to public - New for March 18, 2020
- Parliamentary Precinct (Coles Building, J. Angus McLean, and St. Paul’s Rectory)
- IRAC
- Human Rights Commission
- Agriculture Insurance Corporation
- PEI Analytical Lab
- Forest, Fish and Wildlife offices in Southampton, Charlottetown and Wellington
- Provincial Firearms Office and Conservation Offices
- Courts, Family Law, Legal Aid, Victim Services, and Community and Correctional Services are all operational but limiting public access. Please call ahead for direction on how to access services.
Currently shutdown to public visits as of March 17, 2020 - PEI Libraries
- Access PEI service counters are closed to the public but there will be staff on-site to allow for registry access and essential services that operate in Access PEI buildings.
- Provincial Administration Building is also closed to the public but there will be staff on-site to allow for access to the registry office and the provincial pharmacy.
- Aubin Arsenault Building
- IWMC will continue to receive and collect waste, but their offices and contact centres will be closed to the public
- Museum and Heritage Foundation sites
- All PEI schools - Public schools closed with March break extended by an additional two weeks
- Education offices
- Public Schools Branch and FLSB
- PEI early years centres and licensed childcare centre closed for an indefinite period of time.
- All hospitals and long-term care facilities closed to visitors of in-patients.
- Workers Compensation Board
- Innovation PEI, Finance PEI and Office of Immigration
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- EfficiencyPEI
- Provincial offices in the Atlantic Technology Centre
- Skills PEI offices
- Agriculture and Land offices, including Inspection Services at Gordon Drive, however dairy samples will continue to be delivered
- Visitor Information Centres
- Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale