Day 3 of P.E.I. campaign: Preschool, property tax and minimum wage
3 policy announcements Friday
Here are some of the election campaign events that unfolded on Friday, day three of P.E.I.'s election campaign.
Friday morning Progressive Conservative Leader Dennis King was in Roseneath at Kidz Korner Early Learning Academy to announce the first in a series of proposals on early learning. The PCs promised a $5 million program to offer a community-based, half-day preschool program to Island four-year-olds.
In the afternoon King said he would campaign in his own District 15. King's nomination is planned for Winsloe United Church from 7 to 9 p.m.
Liberal Leader Wade MacLauchlan was at the College of Piping in Summerside at 9:30 a.m. to announce a plan to make life more affordable for Islanders.
That included two proposals aimed at the growing cost of housing: a 10 per cent reduction in property tax on the first $200,000 of a home's assessed value, and a $300 annual rebate on rents for units under $1,500 per month. It also promised to increase the basic personal exemption on income tax to $10,000 by 2020.
Another new initiative would provide up to $500 per month for families caring for seniors who are still at home.
After that, MacLauchlan said he's be campaigning in districts 22, 19 and in his own District 8. His day will include his own nomination meeting. MacLauchlan will also make a visit to the Easter Beef Show.
Green Leader Peter Bevan-Baker planned to spend the entire day campaigning in his own District 17.
NDP Leader Joe Byrne made a promise at 10 a.m. at the Voluntary Resource Centre in Charlottetown, committing to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
Minimum wage on P.E.I. will go up to $12.25 from $11.55 this coming Monday, April 1.