NDP Leader Mike Redmond says he was left feeling "optimistic" after the P.E.I. government's speech from the throne yesterday.

Redmond does not hold a seat in the provincial legislature. The NDP took 11 per cent of the popular vote in last fall's election.

"I think some of the language in the throne speech was very positive," he told reporters after Tuesday's speech. "[A] women's reproductive centre is obviously long overdue so we're very very pleased."

It's great to hear the premier talk about reduction in poverty, Redmond said, as well as reference the environment and sustainability.

"Some positives. To credit the premier, he's done a lot of good things."

However Redmond cautioned the province's health-care budget is spiralling out of control, the education system is in disarray and cuts to the civil service would "have a disastrous effect on the economy."

"We have for years said that government should look within, starting at the very top, the number of MLA's and salaries and pensions of elected officials which are not inline with everyday Islanders' incomes," Redmond said.

He also had a lot of questions about the new Municipalities Act, and how municipalities will be treated and funded throughout an amalgamation process.

And the NDP is very interested to see the language that will be used in a plebiscite question about proportional representation, he added.