Prince Edward Island Flashcards

Prince Edward Island joined Confederation in 1873, but its entry was conditional on a specific federal promise. What was the primary concession Ottawa had to make to secure PEI's agreement?

Answer: Assumption of PEI's railway debt and continuous communication with the mainland

PEI had built an expensive railway it could not afford, and its main demand was that the federal government assume this debt. Ottawa also promised 'continuous communication' with the mainland, which evolved over decades into ferry and eventually fixed-link service. These two commitments — debt relief and connectivity — were the central bargaining points that brought PEI into Confederation six years after 1867.

The Confederation Bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick, holds a notable engineering distinction. Which of the following best describes it?

Answer: It is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered water

The Confederation Bridge, opened in 1997, stretches 12.9 kilometres across the Northumberland Strait and is recognized as the longest bridge in the world spanning ice-covered or ice-affected waters. The strait freezes partially in winter, making this engineering feat particularly significant. It is not the longest bridge in Canada by total span, and it is not cable-stayed in design.

Which industry has historically dominated Prince Edward Island's economy and continues to be its single largest agricultural export commodity?

Answer: Potatoes

Potatoes are PEI's most iconic and economically significant agricultural product, earning the province its reputation as Canada's 'potato province.' PEI's red soil and temperate climate produce high-quality seed and table potatoes exported internationally. While lobster fishing is also extremely important to PEI's economy, potatoes dominate the agricultural sector specifically and are the province's largest agricultural export.

Anne of Green Gables, set in Prince Edward Island, has had a profound impact on PEI's culture and economy. Which statement about this legacy is most accurate?

Answer: Japan is one of the largest sources of tourists who visit PEI specifically because of the Anne of Green Gables connection

Japan has an exceptionally strong cultural connection to Anne of Green Gables — the novel has been part of the Japanese school curriculum and Anne is deeply beloved there. Japanese tourists represent one of the largest international visitor groups to PEI, traveling specifically to see Green Gables and related sites. Montgomery wrote the novel while living in PEI (not Ontario), Green Gables is managed by Parks Canada (federal), and Montgomery published under her own name.

Prince Edward Island has a unicameral legislature, meaning it has only one legislative chamber. When did PEI abolish its upper house (Legislative Council)?

Answer: 1922

PEI abolished its appointed Legislative Council (upper house) in 1922, becoming one of the earlier Canadian provinces to move to a unicameral system. The Legislative Council was seen as an unnecessary expense for such a small province. Today the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island is the sole chamber, with 27 elected members representing 27 electoral districts.

Under the Constitution Act, 1867, Prince Edward Island is guaranteed a minimum number of seats in the House of Commons regardless of its population. What principle ensures this, and what is PEI's current guaranteed minimum?

Answer: The Senate Floor Rule guarantees PEI no fewer than 4 seats, equal to its Senate representation

The 'Senate Floor Rule' is a constitutional provision stating that no province may have fewer Members of Parliament than it has Senators. PEI has 4 Senate seats, so it is guaranteed at least 4 seats in the House of Commons regardless of population decline. Without this rule, PEI's small population (roughly 170,000) would mathematically entitle it to fewer seats. This rule protects smaller provinces' voice in the federal legislature.