Change and Resistance on Prince Change and Resistance on Prince Edward IslandEdward Island

Douglas BrownDouglas Brown

Feb 08Feb 08

Change and Resistance on Prince Change and Resistance on Prince Edward IslandEdward Island

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Politics of Land and DevelopmentPolitics of Land and Development Survival of traditional politicsSurvival of traditional politics Successful Adaptation to ChangeSuccessful Adaptation to Change Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEIComparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

Joined Confederation reluctantly in 1873Joined Confederation reluctantly in 1873 Smallest of the Atlantic Provinces, no Smallest of the Atlantic Provinces, no

significant new immigration since 1880ssignificant new immigration since 1880s Until recently hugely rural, mainly Until recently hugely rural, mainly

agricultural agricultural Strong two-party system (Liberal, Strong two-party system (Liberal,

Conservative) Conservative) Tendency to elect provincial government Tendency to elect provincial government

with same party as federalwith same party as federal Highly localized politicsHighly localized politics

Politics of Land and Politics of Land and DevelopmentDevelopment

Post WWII modernization challenge: need Post WWII modernization challenge: need for roads, electricity, industry, schools, for roads, electricity, industry, schools, hospitals, etc.hospitals, etc.

Economic goals: more commercial Economic goals: more commercial farming, diversify into tourism, farming, diversify into tourism, manufacturingmanufacturing

Externally-driven development plans, with Externally-driven development plans, with lots of federal moneylots of federal money

Increasing power of provincial bureaucracy Increasing power of provincial bureaucracy and cabinetand cabinet

Politics of Development …2Politics of Development …2

Rural renaissance movement: reacting Rural renaissance movement: reacting against industrial/urban planningagainst industrial/urban planning

Need to preserve “way of life”, protect Need to preserve “way of life”, protect farm landfarm land

Successful resistance to mega-farms, Successful resistance to mega-farms, large-scale tourism developmentslarge-scale tourism developments

Politics of nostalgia: commitment to Politics of nostalgia: commitment to rural values and social structure while rural values and social structure while accepting gradual change.accepting gradual change.

Survival of traditional Survival of traditional politicspolitics

Politics as blood sport, entertainmentPolitics as blood sport, entertainment Two-party system not successfully Two-party system not successfully

challengedchallenged But now not always same stripe as But now not always same stripe as

government in Ottawagovernment in Ottawa Patronage still importantPatronage still important Real opposition outside the Legislature: Real opposition outside the Legislature:

media (CBC especially) and citizens media (CBC especially) and citizens groups groups

Successful Adaptation to Successful Adaptation to Change ?Change ?

After a difficult debate, governments After a difficult debate, governments decide to proceed with Confederation decide to proceed with Confederation Bridge to replace federal ferry serviceBridge to replace federal ferry service

PEI government opposed free trade PEI government opposed free trade due to worries about agriculture, but due to worries about agriculture, but it happens anywayit happens anyway

Bridge + free trade = greater Bridge + free trade = greater economic integrationeconomic integration

Adapting to Change…Adapting to Change…

Bridge leads to increased investment and Bridge leads to increased investment and development development

Island economy has thrived through Island economy has thrived through increased trade to USA, especially agri-increased trade to USA, especially agri-foods sectorfoods sector

Settling into a healthy mix of urban and Settling into a healthy mix of urban and rural developmentrural development

Only Atlantic province to have substantial Only Atlantic province to have substantial net growth of population (10 percent in 10 net growth of population (10 percent in 10 years)years)

Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEIComparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI-- Similarities ---- Similarities --

Primarily island cultures: geographic Primarily island cultures: geographic isolation and strong political identities isolation and strong political identities

The two most rural of the Atlantic The two most rural of the Atlantic ProvincesProvinces

Urban development on the rise but rural Urban development on the rise but rural survival a key issuesurvival a key issue

Traditional, two-party, pragmatic politics Traditional, two-party, pragmatic politics prevailsprevails

Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEIComparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI-- Differences ---- Differences --

PEI closer to markets so economic PEI closer to markets so economic integration easierintegration easier

N and L has major resources which N and L has major resources which puts it in same league (potentially) puts it in same league (potentially) as non-Maritime provincesas non-Maritime provinces

N and L more vulnerable to changeN and L more vulnerable to change