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The Basics of Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is one of the four Atlantic provinces of Canada. As Canada's smallest and least populous province, Prince Edward Island is home to only 140,000 people. Prince Edward Island's capital and largest city is Charlottetown, with 40,000 people.Economy and Employment
Agriculture, tourism and fishing are the main industries present in Prince Edward Island. Tourism, manufacturing and high-technology sectors are becoming increasingly important.The fishing industry, once a major employer in the province, has been in decline due to depleting stocks of fish resulting in a higher than average unemployment rate. The government is making efforts to train those from the fishing industry left without jobs to work in P.E.I.'s growth industries.
Standard of Living
The general cost of living, housing and heating costs, are among the lowest in Canada. Average income for Prince Edward Island families is below the Canadian average. The mandatory minimum wage is also modest by Canadian standards. Provincial personal income taxes are above the Canadian average.Residential Housing
Prince Edward Island has a low population and consequently affordable housing is widely available in the province.Education
In Canada, all citizens and permanent residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education through the end of high school through the public school system. Prince Edward Island offers a leading system of public education for its residents beginning with Early Childhood Education programs and continuing right through to Grade 12. For those entering skilled trades after secondary school the province has a comprehensive program of apprenticeships and training to help people learn a trade and find jobs as well.Postsecondary education in Prince Edward Island is delivered through the province's publiclaly funded the University of Prince Edward Island, Holland College, a publicly funded community college, the francophone Adult Learning Centre in Wellington, and a number of private career training schools.
Health Care
Under Canadian Law, all provinces and territories must provide universal, publicly funded health care to all citizens and legal residents of Canada. In other words, most basic health services in Canada are offered at no direct cost to the patient. The Medical Care Plan of Prince Edward Island insures all medically necessary physician services and surgical-dental provided to all citizens and permanent residents.History
Prince Edward Island is named for Prince Edward Augustus, the Duke of Kent, who was the father of Queen Victoria. The original First Nations inhabitants of the island were the Mi'kmaq people, who called the island "Abegwiet" meaning "Land cradled by the waves". The French were the first Europeans to settle on the island, giving it the name "Ile St. Jean" as part of the French Colony of Acadia. After the British captured the island from the French, the island was given its current name in 1798.P.E.I. was part of the discussions that led to Canadian Confederation in 1867, but it remained independent until it became a part of Canada in 1873. After joining Canada, railroads were extended to the island, giving a major boost to the province's agricultural industry.
Culture
As an island with a small population, Prince Edward Island is home to a culture that is vibrant and distinct. Residents of P.E.I. are often known as "Islanders". This traditional flavour remains in P.E.I.'s culture, which contributes strongly to the island's appeal.Demographics
Along with the smallest land area of any Canadian province, Prince Edward Island is home to the smallest population at just over 140,000 people. P.E.I. is also home to the highest population density of any province. Approximately half of the population of the province lives in the Charlottetown area.While the province's service and tourism industries have been growing quite well, fisheries have been declining steadily. These factors have balanced out to keep the population of P.E.I. at relatively steady levels for the past two decades.
Immigration
Like other Canadian provinces, P.E.I. can expect the large majority of its future population growth to come from immigration. To encourage immigration that meets the province's needs, P.E.I. has a Provincial Nomination Program, which allows the province to select immigrants that wish to settle in the province for Permanent Residency.There are four categories in P.E.I.'s Provincial Nomination Program: Investors, Entrepreneurs, Skilled Workers, and those with connections to the island.