Fall colours, local makers, and markets 🍁

IN THIS ISSUE

➡️ Tender issued for shelter sprinkler system

➡️ Minimum wage and power rates going up

➡️ Celebrate 10 years of Island Hill Farm

QUICK HITS

⌛ Incompatible timeline: The province is moving closer to installing a fire sprinkler system in the modular housing units at the Park Street emergency shelter. A tender for the work was posted yesterday, the day after Charlottetown council approved the province’s request to extend the temporary shelter by one year. Council’s approval came with six conditions, including a requirement for a sprinkler system. There’s an obvious timeline conflict. Council was told by planning staff that a permit would not be issued until the sprinkler system is installed, but the tender closes on October 11, just two days before the shelter's current approval expires. Installation is scheduled for completion 11 weeks later, on December 31.

🚌 A little more diesel: Three new diesel buses being added to T3 Transit are expected to be the final fossil fuel-burning vehicles before the system begins transitioning to an electrified fleet. Charlottetown council awarded a $2.3M tender to Nova Bus on Monday to purchase the diesel buses. The purchase will be jointly funded by all three levels of government as part of a $22.7 million project announced last month. The project aims to expand and upgrade the bus depot on Mount Edward Road to accommodate an electric fleet and includes the purchase of seven electric buses.

🚓 Kings County vehicle thefts: Three youths in Kings County were arrested on Sunday in connection with two separate cases of vehicle theft. RCMP made two of the arrests in relation to a car stolen from Murray River, they were charged with theft of a motor vehicle and trespassing at night. In an unrelated case involving a stolen vehicle from Kinross, the third youth was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft of items from a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and multiple breaches of an undertaking. RCMP encourage Islanders to enhance vehicle security by removing valuables, locking doors and always securing keys.

BY THE NUMBERS

💰 $15: The Island's minimum wage is set to reach $15 per hour this weekend. The Employment Standards Board announced last fall that minimum wage would increase twice in 2023. The first bump, an 80 cent increase, occurred on January 1, which brought minimum wage up to $14.50 per hour. The second increase is scheduled for this Sunday, October 1, adding an extra 50 cents per hour.

🥫 C-: Food Banks Canada released report cards based on an assessment of poverty indicators for each province, resulting in a C- grade for PEI. This grade takes into account various factors, including a finding that 7 per cent of Islanders live below the poverty line, and that food insecurity impacts 24 per cent of our population, the highest rate nationwide. While PEI shares the second highest grade with Manatoba, there’s very little to celebrate in the report.

⚡ 1.6%: Minimum wage is not the only figure going up this weekend; Maritime Electric has been given approval to increase residential rates by 1.6 per cent as of October 1. The Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission issued its decision on September 25, allowing the increase to remain on Islanders’ bills until February 2026. This increase is to allow the utility to recover $7.5M in increased energy supply costs due to closures at Point Lepreau.

#PEIslandEdition

Overhead Relic ✖️

This photo by Chandra Harper grabbed my attention. These old hanging crosswalk signs bring me back to long walks home at night, my eyes were always fixed on their distant glow. I found them to have a relaxing quality, which is a stark contrast to the anxiety-inducing rapid flashing beacons that have become the new standard. While a few of these relics remain in service, phasing them out is likely a wise choice. Oh, and that sunset! 😍

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

COMMUNITY CORNER

🍂 The River Clyde Pageant welcomes Islanders to the third edition of Sharing the Field, a celebration of food, art and community. Hosted at The Mill in New Glasgow this weekend. The jam packed list of activities includes something for everyone. The full list of events is available on the Pageant’s website. Don’t forget to pre-register for free workshops, or to reserve your meal ticket.

🖌️ Time to load up on craft supplies! A flea market-style craft supplies sale will take place from 9:00AM to 12:30PM this Saturday, Sept. 30 at Sherwood Recreation Hall (56 Maple Ave, Charlottetown). Crafters have purged their stockpiles of quality new and used supplies. Admission is free. The event’s FB listing has all the details.

👩‍🌾 Farmer Flory invites you to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Island Hill Farm this Sunday, Oct. 1, from 10AM to 4PM. Enjoy inflatable  houses, a food truck, entertainment, and, of course, adorable animals. Admission to The Cutest Place on Earth will be free.

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 19°C 🌡️ L 10°C
💨 N 10 km/h, gusting 16

Thursday

☀️ H 18°C 🌡️ L 8°C
💨 N 13 km/h, gusting 19

Looking Ahead

👀 Gone are the scorching beach days for another year. However, if you're a fan of lovely autumn weather with comfortable temperatures and abundant sunshine, you're in for a treat over the coming week. 😎

SUPPORT ISLAND EDITION

If you enjoy Island Edition, please consider supporting this project. 

👥 Share: Use your unique link to share Island Edition on your social media pages. It's easy; just copy and paste: *|RH_REFLINK|*

⏩ Forward: Forwarding this email to a friend is an even easier way to share Island Edition. You won't get credit for it, but it'll be super helpful!

💸 Donate: Island Edition costs almost $300 a month to maintain. If you want to chuck a few bucks toward the project, please Interac e-Transfer to [email protected] - every dollar goes toward newsletter expenses.

🗣️ Advertise: If you have a great product or service you'd like to promote, consider advertising in Island Edition. If you don't want to fill out the form, send me a quick message or book a call with me.

THANKS FOR READING!