Type of Intervention: Financial and Economic
Sectors Involved: Private Sector and Businesses, Supply Chains
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; New initiatives; Finance policy and financial aid; Stimulus packages and financial support
Level of Jurisdiction: Prince Edward Island
Lead People/Agency: Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson and Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Steven Myers
Overview: The Province of Prince Edward Island announced initial assistance for the Island’s agriculture and trucking industries as they deal with the impacts of COVID-19.
Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson announced a new $750,000 COVID-19 Strategic Fund for Agriculture under the Canada Agriculture Partnership to help commodities and small processors adapt to the pandemic.
To support the health and safety of truck drivers and their loved ones, Minister of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy Steven Myers announced a partnership with the PEI Trucking Sector Council, Emergency Measures Organization and Rodd Royalty Inn & Suites to make rooms available for truck drivers so they can practice self-isolation between trips.
Full details here: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/province-supports-agriculture-and-trucking-industries
Type of Justification: Interest in supporting essential services.
Evidence/Justification: “The trucking industry and truck drivers are providing an important, essential service during these challenging and uncertain times, ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods like groceries and other essential supplies to Islanders and Canadians alike,” said Minister Myers.
“The health and well-being of our communities depends on ready access to high-quality, healthy, safe food and we need to ensure that agriculture remains the pillar of our economy. Farming has helped build our province and we will stand with our farmers and farm workers to help tackle the challenges of today and plan for our future,” said Minister Thompson.