Geography

Prince Edward Island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, west of Cape Breton Island, north of the Nova Scotia peninsula, and east of New Brunswick. Its southern shore bounds the Northumberland Strait. The island has two urban areas. The larger surrounds Charlottetown Harbour and a much smaller urban area surrounds Summer side Harbour.

Climate

The climate of the island is considered to be moderate and strongly influenced by the surrounding seas. As such, it is milder than inland locations owing to the warm waters from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The climate is characterized by changeable weather throughout the year; it has some of the most variable day-to-day weather in Canada, in which specific weather conditions seldom last for long.

History

Prince Edward Island is named for Prince Edward Augustus, the Duke of Kent, who was the father of Queen Victoria. While P.E.I. was part of the discussions that led to Canadian Confederation in 1867, the province did not in fact join Canada at this time. Instead, the province's leaders chose to stay independent and even entered into discussion with the United States. This did not last for long, however, as P.E.I. joined the new country of Canada in 1873. After joining Canada, railroads were extended to the island, giving a major boost to the province's agricultural industry. History has brought many changes to the island, but many elements have remained constant from the time P.E.I. joined Canada. While agricultural and fishing remain important industries connecting the island with its traditional roots, the province also boasts a modern service industry and booming tourism. Alongside the modern capital of Charlottetown, many residents live in rural communities that retain a traditional feel.

Economy

Agriculture, tourism and fishing are the main industries present in Prince Edward Island. About 30 percent of Canada's potatoes are grown in Prince Edward Island, providing the most important source of income for the province's 2,000 farms. Tourism, in particular, is on the rise as the Island's charm, landscapes, and golf courses entice greater numbers of visitors each year. The manufacturing sector is comprised mainly of food processing. High-technology is also becoming important, especially in the medical, electronics and agricultural fields. The fishing industry, once a major employer in the province, has been in decline due to depleting stocks of fish in the once teeming Grand Banks area. The effect of this decline is that the unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island stands at over 10 percent, making it the second highest among Canadian provinces. The government is making efforts to train those from the fishing industry left without jobs to work in P.E.I.'s growth industries.

Government and Politics

Prince Edward Island is governed by a parliamentary government within the construct of constitutional monarchy; the sovereign is Queen Elizabeth II. The Premier of Prince Edward Island is the first minister for the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. They are the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. The current Premier of Prince Edward Island is Dennis King, since April 30, 2019.

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. Certain procedures that are not deemed necessary (such as elective cosmetic surgery and a number of dental care procedures, for example) are generally not covered, but the list of services paid for publicly varies from province to province. The Medical Care Plan of Prince Edward Island ensures that all medically necessary physician services and surgical-dental services (for example, surgical removal of impacted teeth, root resection, etc.) are provided to all citizens and permanent residents.

Education

Prince Edward Island is home to one university, the University Of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), located in the city of Charlottetown. The university was created by the Island legislature to replace Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan's University. UPEI is also home to the Atlantic Veterinary College, which offers the region's only veterinary medicine program. Holland College is the provincial community college, with campuses across the province, including specialized facilities such as the Atlantic Police Academy, Marine Training Centre, and the Culinary Institute of Canada. Prince Edward Island's public school system has an English school district named the English Language School Board, as well as a Francophone district, the Commission scolaire de langue française. The English language districts have a total of 10 secondary schools and 54 intermediate and elementary schools while the Francophone district has 6 schools covering all grades.

The PEI PNP is Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Nominee Program. Through this program, prospective immigrants with the skills and experience targeted by the province may receive a Prince Edward Island Provincial Nomination Certificate, after which they can apply for Canadian permanent residence with the Government of Canada. 

The PEI PNP accepts applications under three major immigration categories:

- PEI PNP Express Entry
- Labour Impact Category
- Business Impact Category