Canada Day on the Island 🇨🇦

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Plan for e-bike network progressing

➡️ DiverseCity Festival (photo)

➡️ Canada Day events roundup

QUICK HITS

⚒️ Ping Pong Politics: The clock is ticking again for a boarded up apartment building at 282 University Avenue. Charlottetown’s protective and emergency services committee is sending a recommendation to council that the building, which has sat empty since a fire in 2017, be demolished as soon as possible. You’re not experiencing déjà vu, a similar recommendation was sent to council in May, but council deferred on the resolution and sent the issue back to committee. The city’s Dangerous, Hazardous and Unsightly Premises Bylaw gives council the authority to order a building to be repaired or demolished if it has been boarded up for more than 18 months.

🚲 E-Bike Network Moves Forward: The search is on for a provider who can implement and operate a shared electric bike network in the capital region. Charlottetown posted a request for proposals last week outlining details of how the system would operate. There would be 68 electric bikes made available at 12 docking stations throughout Charlottetown and Stratford. Bikes would be unlocked using an application or a FOB, then users would return their bike to any docking station in the network. The city has set an anticipated launch date of April 2024. The RFP closes on July 18.

📄 Large Crowd Attends Planning Board: Summerside's planning board meeting on Tuesday attracted a large crowd as people gathered to hear more about two rezoning requests progressing through city hall. The requests are to rezone four parcels in the city's north end to R4 and one parcel to R2. Z & C Flourish International, a Stratford-based developer, intends to construct townhouses and apartment buildings totaling 600 housing units. The absence of a development agreement was a cause for concern because the developer could, as of right, build anything permitted in the R4 zone if their request is approved. Ultimately, the board recommended rezoning one parcel from R1 to R2 while rejecting the resolution to rezone parcels to R4. City council will make the final decision on the applications in July.

🪵 Potential Stump Rebate Program: Charlottetown has drafted guidelines for a rebate program to assist residents with the costly expense of having tree stumps removed. I should note that the program is still in the planning stage and has not yet been finalized, meaning there is currently no application process available. If the program proceeds, it would provide a $250 rebate for stump removal costs below $999 and a $500 rebate for costs exceeding $1,000. Residents would work directly with a contractor to carry out the removal and then submit an online rebate application. Only stumps with a minimum diameter of 30 cm (approximately one foot) would qualify. The city has $250,000 set aside for this program, but is waiting to see if the province will match these funds before making a final decision to launch the program.

📢 SHOUT-OUTS 

👷 To Camren MacLeod, winner of the Workers Compensation Board’s youth video contest. Camren’s video, which fetched him and Charlottetown Rural $1,000 each, highlights how workers can take charge of their own safety at work. Check out Camren’s Video (YouTube 1:52)

⛪ To Rev. Paula Hamilton who recently celebrated 25 years of ordination to the Ministry of Word and Sacraments, an achievement that earned recognition from Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry (pictured here). Rev. Hamilton is co-minister at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church and also serves as Chaplain of the Charlottetown Fire Department.

CANADA DAY 🍁

KINGS COUNTY

Murray Harbour

Flag raising ceremony around noon and free cake. A police car and fire engine will be on site for the kids to have a look. There'll be fun and games for kids and adults. Then at 3PM the annual cake auction will take place, a fine tradition!

👆 Facebook Event

Souris

😁 Traditional celebrations start the day at 12:30PM. Then the kids will have a blast using the water inflatables and bouncy castle until 4PM. Face painting, tattoos, pony / horse rides and more. Souris Lions Club will host a fundraiser BBQ.

🎆 Fireworks at Souris Beach (Dusk)

👆 Official Event Listing

Three Rivers

🎯 Spend Canada Day in Cardigan! The day kicks off with a parade at 11AM, followed by a land acknowledgement and singing of Oh, Canada at 11:45. Live music, BBQ, free cupcakes, face painting and more.

🎆 Fireworks over Cardigan River (Dusk)

👆 Official Event Listing

PRINCE COUNTY

Alberton

🌭 Stop by town hall (3 Emma Drive) from noon to 2PM for some fun and games. It looks like there'll be a petting zoo and bouncy castle! 

👆 Alberton Recreation Facebook

Kensington

🎈 The town didn't get specific on what events will take place, only saying to join them at the Kensington Gazebo from 11:30AM to 1:30PM. 

👆 Facebook Event

O'Leary

🎉 Events take place at Centennial Park, beginning at 11AM with a bike, trike & cart rally. Flag raising at noon, followed by a petting farm and pony rides until 3PM. 

Summerside

Events start at 1:00PM and Green's Shore Event Grounds, Water Street.

🎆 Fireworks at Green's Shore (Dusk)

QUEENS COUNTY

Charlottetown

🎉 A 21 Gun Salute at noon will have most people wondering what all the bangs are about. But then the fun gets underway at the Victoria Park family fun zone: games and inflatables for the kids. A food vendor zone will feature tastes of Canada (and beyond). All-day live music starts at 1:30 with Slowcoaster; Coyote takes the stage at 9:00PM.

🎆 Fireworks at Victoria Park (10PM)

👆 Official Event Listing

Cornwall

🥞 The day starts early in Cornwall with a pancake breakfast from 9AM to 11:00. Cornwall Area Watershed Group will be giving away 500 trees from 11:00AM until 2:30 at Terry Fox Sports Complex. Fun and games will be found from 1:00 to 3:00 at Cornwall Civic Centre.

🎆 Fireworks at Hyde Pond / Westwood School (Dusk)

👆 Official Event Listing

North Rustico

🏃‍♂️ Start the day on the right foot with a 5K fun run at 8:00AM. Then catch your breath as you watch the parade, beginning at Hilltop Avenue at 10:00, winding its way down Main Street to Church Hill Avenue. If you have any energy left, there's an entire afternoon and evening of activities planned.

🎆 Fireworks over Rustico Bay (Dusk)

👆 Official Event Listing

Stratford

🎵 Events get underway at Tea Hill Park at 1:30PM until 4:00. Cake, face painting, live music and more. Startford Lions Club will be serving up some BBQ favourites. Indoor activities are planned at Stratford Town Centre if it rains.

📷 A Day in the Life of Stratford: Submit up to ten photos taken July 1 (24 hours) to be featured in a town exhibit. Send to: [email protected] by July 4.

👆 Facebook Event

#PEIslandEdition

DiverseCity Festival 🌎

John Morris posted some excellent photos to his Twitter page from this past weekend’s DiverseCity Festival in downtown Charlottetown. If you weren’t able to make it, or were left wanting more, DiverseCity will be heading to Alberton on July 9.

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

COMMUNITY CORNER

🤝 Stroke survivors and caregivers seeking support are encouraged to attend a meeting hosted by the Island Stroke Support Network. Meetings take place the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00PM at Trinity United Church, 220 Richmond Street. Contact Haylee Nauss for more information: [email protected]

🍴 The Department of Social Development and Seniors is collaborating with local food vendors to provide five weekly meals to school-aged children from families facing food accessibility challenges. Free, pre-cooked, reheatable meals will be provided throughout July and August. More information on this program can be found on the province’s website.

📃 Are you an unpaid caregiver providing support to a friend or family member? The PEI Department of Health and Wellness is conducting a confidential survey to gather information about the experiences of unpaid caregivers on PEI. Responses will help identify caregivers' needs without revealing personal details.

Send a quick message if your organization would like to publish a PSA. There's no charge for these. Max three per-issue.

WEATHER

Wednesday

🌦️ H 22°C 🌡️ L 18°C 
💨 S 20 km/h, gusting 40

Thursday

☁️ H 24°C 🌡️ L 18°C
💨 S 32 km/h, gusting 48

Looking Ahead

👀 There may be some rain or a few showers on Canada Day. Maybe the forecast will do a complete 180 in our favour for once.

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