Originally from:
Legal Aspects of Doing Business in North America - 2nd Edition - Loose leaf
Legal Aspects of Doing Business in North America - 2nd Edition - Electronic
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Prince Edward Island
N Douglas Ross
Patterson Palmer Hunt Murphy
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Introduction
For the most part, a foreign enterprise commencing business on Prince Edward Island
only need ensure that it consider all those areas of the law which are equally applicable to
Island businesses owned and operated by Island residents. Some pieces of legislation,
such as the PEI Lands Protection Act and the Real Property Tax Act, do contain provisions
unique to non-resident owners. These particular provisions will be addressed within
the body of this chapter. In addition to relevant legislation, the organization of provincial
and local governments and the judiciary are of interest to those wishing to establish business
within the province. Abrief overview of business incentive and assistance programs
will also be provided.
Government and Judiciary
Government
The Canadian government consists of a two tier system composed of a federal and a provincial
level. The government of Prince Edward Island, like the federal government, is
premised on a democratic system with the governing body being chosen from three main
political parties (Liberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic).
Jurisdictional boundaries on Prince Edward Island include three counties, Prince County,
Queens County and Kings County with each county being further divided into smaller
voting districts. The leader of the elected party acts as Premier and is assisted by various
ministers and members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). In addition to the provincial
governing body, the Island is also governed by 68 municipalities each having its own
councils and creating its own by-laws. Municipal by-laws will be paramount to provincial
requirements as long as such by-laws at least meet and do not contradict the overall provincial
legislative requirements.
Judiciary
The Prince Edward Island court structure is comprised of three courts; the Supreme
Court, Provincial Court and Youth Court. Court Houses for these courts are situated in
each Prince, Queens and Kings county.
Prince Edward Island
Introduction
Government and Judiciary
Relevant Legislation
N Douglas Ross Patterson Palmer Hunt Murphy Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
