PEI’s Minister of Finance Darlene Compton presented the 2020-21 budget in the PEI legislature.

This budget includes major investments in health, education, and vulnerable Islanders.
As we all know, COVID-19 has greatly affected the way we live, work and raise our families and it has also affected how we spend our money.

Now is the time to support Islanders and this budget will see money invested into many of our platform promises from the 2019 Election.

This includes:

• Investing $3.2 million in recruiting new physicians; including $250,000 for a Doctors Recruiting Doctors initiative
• Spending $2 million to hire 24 more teachers and 15 educational assistants
• Providing $7 million for long-term care and community care homes
• Contributing $1.23 million to create new psychiatry positions in PEI
• Establishing a $1 million Social Sector Community Partners Fund to help our Island NGO’s
• Providing $1.8 million in funding to kickstart the School Lunch Program 
• Investing $1.2 million towards a Marked Fuel Program
• Dropping the Small Business Tax to 2% - the lowest in the Atlantic Canada

Additionally, Minister Compton signalled this government’s intentions to work with Islanders to create a Fertility Service Grant Program within this fiscal year; to offer a Children’s Activity Tax Credit next year; and consulting with Islanders towards creating a Prince Edward Island Land Bank.

Your PC Government is working hard to ensure they are responsive to the needs of Islanders.

The 2019-20 provincial budget and related information is available in the following documents:

• Budget Address
• Estimates of Revenue and Expenditures 2019-2020
• Budget Highlights
• Budget Paper on the Economy

Building stronger communities

Investments of $4.5 million for municipalities, and our communities focusing on community safety, social justice and well-being.
For full details, download the Communities fact sheet


Improving the health and well-being of Islanders

Investments of $13.9 million to the PEI health care system, along with a wellness tax credit, to ensure the continued health and safety of Islanders.
For full details, download the Health fact sheet

Investing in our students, shaping our future

Investments of $6.28 million for Island students, educators and resource supports to strengthen the PEI education system.
For full details, download the Investing in our Students fact sheet

Supporting our vulnerable populations

The real mark of PEI as a society is how we help and serve one another– $18.4 million to fund continued investments in housing and child care as well as supports for seniors, those living with disabilities and low-income Islanders.
For full details, download the Vulnerable Populations fact sheet


Strengthening our business and primary industries

Investments of $1.79 million and tax incentives to make the necessary investments and adjust the appropriate levers to help stimulate, grow and sustain our economy.
For more details, download the Business and Primary Industries fact sheet


Clean energy and sustaining our environment

Investments of $9.3 million toward the sustainable use of natural resources of PEI, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and development of new technologies to provide innovative solutions as the Island responds collectively to the challenges and opportunities of climate change.
For more details, download the Energy and Environment fact sheet

​Paul Trainor of Atlantic & PEI Business Federation says, "Overall a very good start and placing investments where islanders need the most help - Students, Small business, Seniors and the sustaining our environment." 

For information on PEI Business Federation and how this budget impacts the small business sector of PEI call 902 940 5927 or e mail [email protected].

​No need to panic over new mortgage rules

No one has a crystal ball to see what the next few months - or years - will bring, but it’s likely that some Canadians will have trouble with their debt in the wake of COVID. With that possibility in mind, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) recently announced that it is tightening the rules for Canadian homebuyers looking for insured mortgages. Homebuyers with less than 20% downpayment require mortgage default insurance: an important protection for Canadian lenders.

Summary of the new CMHC rules (effective July 1):

1. Reduced buying power. Previously, CMHC allowed 44% of total income to service all your debt and up to 39% of total monthly income to service housing payments (principal, interest, taxes, heat, condo fees). They have now tightened this back to 42% of total income can now go to service all your debt, and 35% of total monthly income to service housing costs. This reduces a homebuyer’s purchasing power by anywhere from 9 to 11%. As an example, someone qualifying for a $500,000 home now, will see that decrease to approximately $445,000.
2. Higher minimum credit score. At least one applicant’s credit score must now be a minimum of 680, up from 600. Find out your own score - free - through Equifax or TransUnion. . Download App at www.mopolo.ca to get free credit score.
3. Downpayment funds can no longer include most borrowed down payment sources. Very few buyers used this option so this will have a minimal impact.

Alternative options available

This is a great time to work with a mortgage broker! I work with dozens of lenders… and private mortgage insurers – Genworth Canada and Canada Guaranty - that are an alternative to CMHC. Neither have announced new underwriting guidelines, which means I expect to be guiding many new homebuyers through these alternate insurance channels.

Get in touch at anytime

Having trouble keeping up with all the changes lately? That’s why I’m here. My only focus is mortgages and I am always up to date on the changing mortgage marketplace. If you or someone you know is looking to buy, it’s important to get in touch early so we can put a solid plan in place. Or, if you have concerns about your current mortgage strategy, let’s talk, especially if you want to find out if you can renegotiate your mortgage to take advantage of today’s low rates, or refinance to consolidate troubling high-interest debt. 

Paul Trainor
61 Capital Drive, Charlottetown
PEI Mortgage Services
www.peimortgageservices.com
902 940 5927