P.E.I. released its largest capital budget in decades, with a key focus on urgent infrastructure needs. There are plans to build new schools, healthcare centres and affordable homes, and modernize roads and bridges.

The province says the budget is comparable to the transformative Comprehensive Development Plan of 1969, which significantly shaped the island’s economy and infrastructure and brought education reform.

Some highlights include $205.5 million to finish the new Mental Health Hospital and new Addictions Treatment Centre on the Mental Health Campus and $34 million to begin work on Kings County Memorial Hospital.

The province will also build two elementary schools over the next five years in Charlottetown (East Royalty and West Royalty) with $64.9 million and bring major renovations, expansions and repairs to many other educational facilities.

For affordable housing,  P.E.I. has allocated $184.6 million for 482 new social housing units. Plans also entail adding supportive housing, repairing existing public housing units and upgrading and creating new housing for vulnerable children and youth.

To build and maintain roads, bridges and highways, create cell phone towers and invest in Investing in health technology, the province has allocated more than $300 million.

“This budget is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Minister of Finance Jill Burridge. “It’s about creating the conditions for sustainable growth and ensuring every Islander—no matter where they live—has access to the services, opportunities, and infrastructure they need to succeed.

“Just as the Comprehensive Development Plan transformed PEI in the late 1960s, today’s budget will leave a legacy of progress that future generations will benefit from.”