Change and Resistance on Prince Edward Island Douglas Brown Feb 08

Change and Resistance on Prince Edward Island Historical Background Historical Background Politics of Land and Development Politics of Land and Development Survival of traditional politics Survival of traditional politics Successful Adaptation to Change Successful Adaptation to Change Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI

Historical Background Joined Confederation reluctantly in 1873 Joined Confederation reluctantly in 1873 Smallest of the Atlantic Provinces, no significant new immigration since 1880s Smallest of the Atlantic Provinces, no significant new immigration since 1880s Until recently hugely rural, mainly agricultural Until recently hugely rural, mainly agricultural Strong two-party system (Liberal, Conservative) Strong two-party system (Liberal, Conservative) Tendency to elect provincial government with same party as federal Tendency to elect provincial government with same party as federal Highly localized politics Highly localized politics

Politics of Land and Development Post WWII modernization challenge: need for roads, electricity, industry, schools, hospitals, etc. Post WWII modernization challenge: need for roads, electricity, industry, schools, hospitals, etc. Economic goals: more commercial farming, diversify into tourism, manufacturing Economic goals: more commercial farming, diversify into tourism, manufacturing Externally-driven development plans, with lots of federal money Externally-driven development plans, with lots of federal money Increasing power of provincial bureaucracy and cabinet Increasing power of provincial bureaucracy and cabinet

Politics of Development …2 Rural renaissance movement: reacting against industrial/urban planning Rural renaissance movement: reacting against industrial/urban planning Need to preserve “way of life”, protect farm land Need to preserve “way of life”, protect farm land Successful resistance to mega-farms, large-scale tourism developments Successful resistance to mega-farms, large-scale tourism developments Politics of nostalgia: commitment to rural values and social structure while accepting gradual change. Politics of nostalgia: commitment to rural values and social structure while accepting gradual change.

Survival of traditional politics Politics as blood sport, entertainment Politics as blood sport, entertainment Two-party system not successfully challenged Two-party system not successfully challenged But now not always same stripe as government in Ottawa But now not always same stripe as government in Ottawa Patronage still important Patronage still important Real opposition outside the Legislature: media (CBC especially) and citizens groups Real opposition outside the Legislature: media (CBC especially) and citizens groups

Successful Adaptation to Change ? After a difficult debate, governments decide to proceed with Confederation Bridge to replace federal ferry service After a difficult debate, governments decide to proceed with Confederation Bridge to replace federal ferry service PEI government opposed free trade due to worries about agriculture, but it happens anyway PEI government opposed free trade due to worries about agriculture, but it happens anyway Bridge + free trade = greater economic integration Bridge + free trade = greater economic integration

Adapting to Change… Bridge leads to increased investment and development Bridge leads to increased investment and development Island economy has thrived through increased trade to USA, especially agri-foods sector Island economy has thrived through increased trade to USA, especially agri-foods sector Settling into a healthy mix of urban and rural development Settling into a healthy mix of urban and rural development Only Atlantic province to have substantial net growth of population (10 percent in 10 years) Only Atlantic province to have substantial net growth of population (10 percent in 10 years)

Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI -- Similarities -- Primarily island cultures: geographic isolation and strong political identities Primarily island cultures: geographic isolation and strong political identities The two most rural of the Atlantic Provinces The two most rural of the Atlantic Provinces Urban development on the rise but rural survival a key issue Urban development on the rise but rural survival a key issue Traditional, two-party, pragmatic politics prevails Traditional, two-party, pragmatic politics prevails

Comparing 2 provinces: NL and PEI -- Differences -- PEI closer to markets so economic integration easier PEI closer to markets so economic integration easier N and L has major resources which puts it in same league (potentially) as non- Maritime provinces N and L has major resources which puts it in same league (potentially) as non- Maritime provinces N and L more vulnerable to change N and L more vulnerable to change