Final issue of 2022 🎁

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Expanded drug coverage 

➡️ Arts grant recipients announced

➡️ Charlottetown council briefs

QUICK HITS

💊 Expanded Drug Coverage: The province is adding 38 additional medications to the provincial pharmacare program, including two drugs prescribed for treating ovarian cancer. The announcement was made Tuesday by Health Minister Ernie Hudson and his federal counterpart. A full list of the additional medications has not yet been released. Coverage for the new drugs will begin on Dec 28.

🏥 The Longest Wait: Islanders are waiting more than twice as long as the average Canadian to receive medical treatment, according to a study released by the Fraser Institute. The study examines the total wait time faced by patients across 12 medical specialties from referral by a general practitioner, to consultation with a specialist, to when the patient finally receives treatment. The median wait time on the Island sits at 64.7 weeks, compared to the national median wait time of 27.4 weeks.

🧑‍🎨 Arts Grant Recipients: The province has doled out $50,000 between 13 Island artists through the provincial arts grant program. Check out this news release for a list of recipients and a description of their project.

🌧️ Flood Protection Rebate: Charlottetown homeowners have until April 30, 2023 (or until the program runs out of money) to access a grant of up to $1,000 to help protect their homes from flooding. Coverage includes installation of flood protection devices such as sump pumps, including back-up battery systems, water detectors and alarms, and backwater valves. The program covers 75 per cent of eligible costs up to the $1,000 maximum. More information on the program and how to apply can be found on this website.

#PEIslandEdition

Out of This World 🦪

At first glance you may think this is an image of a glittering cosmic world. But come back down to earth, all the way back to the shores of our Island. What you're looking at is a photo of an oyster shell – a very small portion of one. This is the work of Tyne Valley’s Debbie Brady, a macro photographer who has turned her love for photography into a business. I interviewed Debbie this week about her art, I’ll have that feature for you next week. But in the meantime, check out her Instagram account to see more of her work.

Tag @PEIslandEdition or use #PEIslandEdition to get your post featured in Island Edition!

COUNCIL BRIEFS

Charlottetown's new council held its first regular meeting on Monday. Below are the highlights. Here's a list and updated list of councillors, their biographies and contact info.

⛺ Tent Encampment: Now that the emergency housing shelter on Park Street is open, Coun. Bob Doiron asked the Emergency and Protective Services committee for an update on when the tent encampment on the Charlottetown Event Grounds will be cleaned up and who will be responsible to do the work. Council was told the landowner would be responsible to clean up the area. Police Chief Brad MacConnell said his department will work with the landowner, Charlottetown Area Development Corporation, to ensure all bylaws are being met. No firm timeline was given, but the chief did say that tolerance and patience is necessary given the circumstance.

🚧 Beach Grove Road: Council was told that asphalt work will soon take place and two-lane traffic will resume next Tuesday, Dec. 20 on Beach Grove Road. Traffic from North River Road into Lewis Point has been rerouted to Capital Drive since work began in September to replace wooden box culverts and upgrade some water and sewer lines. The project is behind schedule by about a month.

🎥 VIDEO: Parker Realty shared this drone video from Dec. 7 on YouTube showing the status of work.

🏒 Simmons Update: Council awarded three tender packages for the Simmons Sports Centre replacement project. Fitzgerald & Snow will complete concrete work, underground services, and site preparations for $2.6M; Ontario-based Acapulco Pools Ltd. will build a new six-lane, 25 meter swimming pool for $1.87M; and TK Elevator Canada Ltd. will supply and install an elevator for $123,640. Pre-engineered steel is already on order and expected to arrive in April. The current timeline is for the new arena to open in January 2024.

🚒 Fire Calls: Charlottetown firefighters responded to 74 calls in November (District 1: 54 / District 2: 20). Year-to-date, the fire department has responded to 949 calls, up from 672 calls over the same period in 2021. Newly appointed Fire Chief, Tim Mayme, told council post-tropical storm Fiona largely contributed to the increase in calls.

♻️ Property Clean-up: Council authorized the public works manager to clean up the properties at 177 Mount Edward Road and 78 Kent Street at the owners' expense.

👥 CAO Selection Committee: Council established a selection committee tasked with bringing council up to four candidates to become the city’s next Chief Administrative Officer. The committee will include the mayor, deputy mayor, the human resource committee chair, and outgoing acting CAO Donna Waddell. Council will have the final decision of selecting the new CAO, that process is expected to take place early in January.

Standing Committees: Below is a list of the city’s standing committees and the councillor who will chair each committee.

✈️ Economic Development, Tourism and Cultural Development: Coun. Kevin Ramsay; 

🌲 Environment and Sustainability: Coun. Terry Bernard;

💰 Finance, Audit, Tendering and Administrative: Coun. John McAleer;

👥 Human Resources: Coun. Justin Muttart;

🏈 Parks, Recreation and Leisure: Coun. Mitchell Tweel;

Planning and Heritage: Coun. / Deputy Mayor Alanna Jankov;

🧑‍🚒 Protective and Emergency Services: Coun. Trevor MacKinnon;

👷 Public Works: Coun. Julie McCabe;

🏢 Strategic Priorities, Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs: Coun. Norman Beck;

🚽 Water and Sewer: Coun. Bob Doiron.

WHAT'S GOING ON? 

Wednesday

🎥 The Banshees of Inisherin @ City Cinema / 7:00PM: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. TICKETS | TRAILER

🤔 It's Gonna Get Ugly Christmas Sweater Party + Christmas Trivia Extravaganza / 9:00 PM: Join host Darcy Campbell at Hunter's Ale House, 185 Kent Street, for some Christmas trivia.

🎤 Open Mic with KINLEY @ Baba's Lounge / 9:00PM

Thursday

🎥 The Banshees of Inisherin @ City Cinema / 7:00PM: Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. TICKETS | TRAILER

🎶 Schooner Sessions w/ Mark Douglas @ Old Triangle / 7:00PM

🤣 Tanya Nicolle - live comedy recording @ The Guild / 7:00 PM: PEI comedian Tanya Nicolle will be recording her first live comedy album. Featuring host Britt Campbell and opener Clare Belford. More Info

🎷 Island Jazz ft Music Performance students from Holland College’s School of Performing Arts @ Baba's Lounge / 8:00PM

Want to share your upcoming event? Get in touch with the details.

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌥️ H0°C 🌡️ L -2°C (clearing today)
💨 ESE 17 km/h, gusting 56 

Thursday

🌨️ H2°C 🌡️ L -1°C (snow/rain in morning)
💨 NNE 33 km/h, gusting 61

Island Edition Storm Watch

👀 Nothing to watch other than the current storm warning, but this is PEI – wait five minutes for the next forecast.

THANKS FOR READING!

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