Justice and Public Safety Mandate Letter

Honourable Wade MacLauchlan
Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
Government of Prince Edward Island

Subject: Mandate letter (Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General)

As Premier, I am also honoured to be the new Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, and pleased with the collaborative work we have initiated in the past few months in the Department of Justice and Public Safety. Together, our Government will work to fulfill the trust that Islanders have placed in us to lead with integrity and purpose, as we build a prosperous, caring and engaged society for the people of Prince Edward Island. We have a clear and coherent plan to enhance PEl's quality of life, to advance our economic growth, and to build strong community across our Island, as outlined in the Speech from the Throne, and the Department of Justice and Public Safety will play an important part in achieving those goals.

As a Government, we are committed to openness and transparency, and to the highest standards of ethical conduct in our decision-making and governance processes. We will be accountable for our actions, and we will increase opportunities for Islanders to engage in shaping our future path and in carrying out the work of Government. As Premier and Minister, I recognize that my colleagues and I play a crucial role in fulfilling those commitments.

Together, we will ensure adherence to the strengthened measures that are being put in place for expense disclosure; to be frugal in conducting our duties; to deal with citizens and clients in a fair, transparent and balanced way; and to ensure open, merit-based processes for hiring and board appointments within this area of responsibility.

We also commit to making sure that Prince Edward Island Government services can be easily accessed by our citizens, community groups and businesses. We will work internally and with regional governments to reduce unnecessary regulation and improve service delivery for citizens and encourage ideas and leadership on opportunities to improve.

Our work over the coming term of office will be shaped by our commitments to the people of Prince Edward Island as set out in our campaign document, Let's Work Together! We have set out a plan to build a prosperous economy, achieving growth above national averages, and develop a stronger society through the three integrated priorities of people, prosperity and engagement. Working across Cabinet, Government and community, we will strive to put in place the best supports for all Prince Edward Island residents, to allow them to meet challenges and to flourish as individuals and families. We will create more opportunities for business, trade and jobs. And we will strive to put Prince Edward Island on the map as an innovative leader.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety will focus on supporting the development of the Poverty Reduction Strategy. By working with other Departments, we will identify key risks to community, personal and economic security and work to develop supports to reduce risk. Research tells us that our criminal and family justice systems need help in providing the proper supports to vulnerable persons. By taking action to ensure the necessary supports for individuals and families on Prince Edward Island are in place, we better ensure that they thrive in their own right, and as members ofthe Island community.

We will work closely with colleagues in Health and Well ness as well as Family and Human Services to strengthen the criminal and civil justice systems and promote access to justice and better integration of services for citizens engaged with the legal system.

The Department of Communities, Land and Environment will lead the work with respect to municipal governance and the Department of Finance is leading municipal funding discussions. Justice and Public Safety will coordinate with both ofthese Departments to find options for cohesive, integrated and efficient public safety services. Policing, fire and other public safety services provide security to citizens from threats to their personal and economic stability.

In this context, we will place particular priority on the following areas:

• Collaborate on a comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategy, by working across Government and particularly with the Departments of Family and Human Services; Education, Early Learning and Culture; and Workforce and Advanced Learning;
• Review legal aid and education programs to ensure these are effective and efficient in meeting the needs of the communities they are intended to serve, are modern and innovative in design and delivery, and are sustainable to meet future, anticipated needs;
• Renew the approach to public safety, in collaboration with municipal governments and local fire departments, ensuring that the police and fire service delivery reflects the current and expected future needs of Islanders; and
• Work with colleagues in Health and Wellness; and Family and Human Services on a new Mental Health and Addictions Strategy to ensure proper supports for offenders are in place.

Our work can and will only be accomplished through active engagement with Government and community partners. To this end, we will build positive and constructive relations with the many community partners who are developing and delivering services for Islanders, as well as with leading proponents across Canada and with other levels of Government responsible for cofunding and co-delivery.

In my role as Minister, I look forward to an effective and trusting relationship with the Deputy Minister and departmental officials. Our dedicated and professional public service is vital to the attainment of our goals as a Government, including careful, prudent management to achieve our commitment of a balanced budget in 2016-17. The Deputy Minister will serve as the primary source of support in achieving the ministerial responsibilities as outlined above and I am confident that we will achieve our goals together.

These are exciting times for Prince Edward Island. I am confident that, working together, Government will make great strides to fulfill the potential and opportunities of our Province and our residents and ensure that we can face the future strong, proud and optimistic.

Sincerely,

Wade MacLauchlan
Premier