Premier Dennis King says PEI’s economy is thriving and will continue to grow under his new Progressive Conservative government.
The Premier addressed the annual general meeting of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, just five days after being sworn into office.
King says the PCs are business friendly and it will be their job to create an environment in which businesses can succeed.
The newly-minted premier says inheriting a government that’s had two surplus budgets is a great way to start but he doesn’t want to take that for granted. He says identifying opportunities and challenges, such as the small business and corporate tax rates, is priority.
King says his Progressive Conservatives, the opposition Greens, and third party Liberals all campaigned on lowering the small business tax and he maintains they can do that collaboratively in the Speech from the Throne and the budget address later this spring.
He adds other issues that need to be tackled to ensure businesses succeed include the labour shortage and retention, skills development through post secondary institutions, and reducing government red tape for businesses.
