Finance Minister Jill Burridge presented the province’s capital budget on Tuesday, outlining $1.3 billion in infrastructure investments. The King government outlined a five year plan and estimates it will spend $368.8 million in 2024-2025 with what it says is a focus on healthcare, addressing the housing crisis, modernizing schools, and revitalizing and strengthening communities.
Highlights include:
- $167M over 5 years for the ongoing design and construction of the Mental Health Campus project. Government says that within this five-year Capital plan, the campus will be complete
- $125.5M over 5 years to improve healthcare facilities across PEI including a new Kings County Memorial Hospital in Three Rivers and QEH redevelopment, ventilation upgrades at QEH and long-term care facilities.
- $57M over 5 years to continue implementing Patient Medical Homes across PEI. Construction is underway at sites in Summerside and Charlottetown. Planning is underway for a second site in Charlottetown and another in Three Rivers.
- $12M over 5 years to create a 25-bed emergency shelter in Summerside; support the relocation of the Community Outreach Centre in Charlottetown and start work at Smith Lodge to add 13 more supportive housing beds.
- $176M over 5 years to purchase or build an additional 95 social and affordable housing units to increase the total to 560 units within the next five years. That includes support for the Malpeque Road and Hillsborough Park developments.