Incoming mayors outline their priorities for 3 of P.E.I.'s largest municipalities

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Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-11-03 14:50:04.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Housing, Governance, Infrastructure, Energy]

Following municipal elections on November 2, 2026, three of Prince Edward Island's largest municipalities—Charlottetown, Summerside, and Three Rivers—have elected new mayors outlining distinct policy priorities for their four-year terms. In Charlottetown, Mayor-elect Amir Zuccolo aims to tackle the city's roughly $131 million in long-term debt, address housing and homelessness through initiatives like tiny homes and a community police force, and review the municipal official plan. In Summerside, Mayor-elect Cory Snow focuses on addressing municipal debt, managing energy challenges following the Sunbank fire that left the solar farm without battery storage, and pursuing direct access to provincially owned subsea power cables at Borden-Carleton. In Three Rivers, Mayor-elect Janice MacBeth plans to conduct a full review of the municipality's tax structures, official plan, and bylaws, while prioritizing the hiring of a chief administrative officer.

Summerside won't have battery storage for its solar power this winter after Sunbank fire

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-30 19:32:11.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment]

Following a battery fire at the Sunbank solar farm in September that burned for two weeks, the City of Summerside will enter the winter season lacking 5 megawatts of dispatchable battery storage capacity. Summerside Electric, which generates roughly 60 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, has secured a conditional firm service agreement with Maritime Electric to help bridge the energy gap, alongside utilizing its 15-megawatt standby generation facility. The city faces ongoing provincial energy challenges tied to mainland transmission infrastructure and submarine cables, prompting long-term considerations for energy independence and grid resiliency.

Former Victoria councillor is eligible to run as mayor — and is owed an apology, says OmbudsPEI

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-27 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Governance]

Following an investigation under the Prince Edward Island Municipal Government Act, the Office of the Ombudsperson (OmbudsPEI) reported that the Rural Municipality of Victoria acted improperly regarding a code of conduct complaint against former councillor Eric Gilbert, who resigned earlier in the year. Ombudsperson Matthew Chapman found that the municipality failed to follow mandatory statutory processes for hearing the complaint and subsequently attempted to prevent Gilbert from participating in council and running for office. The report recommends that the municipality correct its official record, publicly confirm Gilbert's eligibility to run in the upcoming November 2 mayoral election, and issue a written apology to Gilbert and the public.

Decision on Charlottetown's zoning and development bylaw postponed once again

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 15:27:58.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Governance]

Charlottetown city council deferred a decision on its proposed zoning and development bylaw after a tied vote broken by Mayor Philip Brown during a meeting on October 13, 2026. The proposed overhaul aims to increase urban density, including the integration of four-unit housing requirements tied to federal funding from the Housing Accelerator Fund, which includes $1.26 million at risk. With municipal elections scheduled for November 2, 2026, debate persists among councillors over whether to finalize the legislation before a new council takes office in December or delay the vote.

Charlottetown holds off on zoning and development bylaw vote

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-16 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure]

Charlottetown City Council voted to defer a decision on approving or rejecting a new zoning and development bylaw following more than a year of discussions and public open houses. Councillors scheduled an additional meeting to continue deliberating the proposed regulatory framework governing municipal land use and development standards within the city.

Town of Cornwall approves $490K land sale for first long-term care home

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-26 16:01:08.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Healthcare, Seniors, Infrastructure, Housing]

The Town of Cornwall has approved the $490,000 sale of nearly two hectares of the Terry Fox Sports Complex to The Mount Continuing Care Community for the municipality's first long-term care facility. The facility will house 80 new long-term care beds scheduled to open in 2029, creating approximately 150 full-time jobs. Once operational, the provincial government will provide up to $9.8 million annually under a 30-year agreement to cover residents' medical costs and housing assistance. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to begin in the fall, with the property transaction closing in October.

Summerside mobile home park residents to challenge their eviction notices at IRAC

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-23 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Housing, Affordability]

Residents of the 57-lot Evergreen Village mobile home park in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, are challenging eviction notices issued by landlord Clifford McQuaid at an upcoming Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) hearing scheduled for November 5. The tenants allege that proper statutory processes and government documentation were not filed and that the evictions constitute bad faith, while the landlord states that current rental rates fail to cover operating expenses and that allowable provincial annual rent increases are insufficient.

Summerside deems solar farm fire to be out as response moves into recovery phase

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-21 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Public Safety, Environment]

City of Summerside officials announced that a battery fire at the Sunbank solar farm, which began on September 7, is no longer considered active and emergency crews are moving into a recovery and operational phase after a week without using water. The Prince Edward Island Fire Marshal's Office and battery experts are investigating the cause of the fire at the battery bank, while the Land and Environment Department continues air quality and water sampling. The incident previously prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order, voluntary evacuations, and short-term delays for local schools including Three Oaks and École-sur-Mer before public health officials cleared students to return on September 11.

Tariff war delays opening of new multi-sport turf field in Charlottetown

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-18 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Trade, Infrastructure]

The opening of a 3 million dollar multi-sport turf field next to the Simmons Sports Centre in Charlottetown has been delayed to spring 2027 due to ongoing United States tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs. Supplier Musco Lighting determined it was no longer financially feasible to supply the lighting system from the United States, forcing the company to reroute manufacturing and delivery from its facility in China. This trade disruption caused a four-to-six-week delivery delay for lighting poles and fixtures, pushing back electrical installation by Hansen Electric and delaying project completion.

Fire at Summerside solar farm still active as city, province monitor conditions

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-17 19:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Environment, Emergency, Public Safety]

A fire that broke out on September 7 at the City of Summerside's Sunbank solar farm battery facility has remained active for nearly two weeks, prompting ongoing monitoring by municipal and provincial authorities. Air-quality testing overseen by P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison indicates no evidence of health risks and confirms municipal drinking water remains safe, though public health advisories continue for sensitive groups and surface-level produce washing near the site. The City of Summerside is developing a long-term environmental monitoring plan incorporating air, water, and soil sampling in coordination with technical experts and provincial officials.

Flare-ups, smoke still expected as Summerside solar farm fire continues into second week

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-14 17:46:41.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Environment, Emergency]

A battery fire at the 30-hectare Summerside Sunbank solar farm in Prince Edward Island, which began on September 7, 2026, has entered its second week with emergency crews maintaining round-the-clock monitoring. The City of Summerside confirmed that the blaze remains contained to a single battery cell, with no precise timeline for when it will burn itself out entirely. While a voluntary shelter-in-place notice was previously issued, the Chief Public Health Office determined that contaminants disperse quickly and no longer pose a danger, though air quality guidance remains in place for individuals with underlying respiratory conditions.

Charlottetown's Queen Parkade to be torn down after report highlights its poor condition

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-14 09:00:00.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Infrastructure, Housing]

Charlottetown city council has voted unanimously to demolish and rebuild the city-owned Queen Street Parkade built in 1979 following a structural assessment indicating it is in poor condition due to concerns over load-carrying capacity, failed waterproofing, and drainage system issues. Consultants recommend a three-year operating window, and the city has presented four design options for a four- to five-level replacement facility estimated to cost between $23 million and $28 million. Downtown Charlottetown Inc. CEO Dawn Alan emphasized that a new parkade must be constructed before demolishing the existing structure to prevent parking displacement, while public works committee chair Mitchell Tweel expressed openness to private sector proposals that could incorporate commercial and residential spaces into the new development.

Summerside solar farm fire contained to single battery cell as burn-out enters 7th day

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-13 15:00:17.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Infrastructure]

Emergency crews at the 30-hectare Sunbank solar farm in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, have successfully contained a battery fire to a single battery cell entering its seventh day of burn-out. The incident began around 5:30 a.m. on September 7 when a battery unit ignited at the west-end facility, prompting round-the-clock monitoring by city officials and emergency personnel. Summerside chief administrative officer JP Desrosiers confirmed that conditions have remained stable following a brief flare-up, and city officials do not anticipate reinstating a voluntary shelter-in-place notice unless the fire spreads beyond the current battery infrastructure.

Summerside solar farm fire burns for sixth straight day

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-12 15:09:51.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Environment]

A battery fire at the City of Summerside's Sunbank solar farm has continued to burn for a sixth straight day as emergency responders monitor the site around the clock. Summerside chief administrative officer JP Desrosiers confirmed the blaze remains contained to a single battery unit and is burning itself out without further spread. A voluntary shelter-in-place notice issued earlier in the week for nearby residents and the Three Oaks family of schools was lifted, with air and water testing ongoing.

Schools in Summerside area resume Friday as shelter-in-place order lifted

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-11 11:10:07.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Education, Environment]

Schools and city-owned facilities in the Summerside area resumed operations on Friday following the lifting of a voluntary shelter-in-place order issued by the Chief Public Health Office. The order had been in place since Monday morning due to an ongoing, multi-day fire at the Sunbank solar farm. Emergency fire crews remained active on the scene controlling the fire, while third-party air quality testing results were sent directly to the Chief Public Health Office for evaluation.

Summerside reinstates shelter in place warning as solar farm fire flares up again

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-10 00:55:06.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Public Safety]

The City of Summerside reinstated a voluntary shelter-in-place order for residents and businesses along South Drive between MacKenzie Drive and Bayview Drive following a flare-up at the Sunbank solar farm fire. Emergency crews have been responding to the ongoing fire since Monday morning, prompting the closure of the Three Oaks family of schools due to potential smoke hazards. Residents in the affected zone have been instructed to stay indoors, avoid travel, close windows and doors, turn off external ventilation systems, and keep pets inside.

The latest on the solar farm fire that disrupted life for Summerside residents

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-09 22:13:32.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Environment, Emergency]

A fire at the City of Summerside's Sunbank solar farm triggered air and water testing, mandatory evacuations, school and business closures, and a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. Deputy Mayor Cory Snow provided updates to CBC News regarding the ongoing emergency response, air quality monitoring, and the gradual lifting of restrictions as the blaze at the municipal energy facility was brought under control.

Conditions have improved, but fire still not out at Summerside solar farm, says city's CAO

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-09 09:35:25.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Environment, Infrastructure]

A prolonged fire at the City of Summerside's Sunbank solar farm battery bank, which began on Monday, September 7, 2026, continues to burn under monitoring by Summerside Fire Services and Summerside Police Services using drone thermal imaging. While conditions and wind directions have improved, allowing the city to avoid a mandatory shelter-in-place order, a voluntary shelter-in-place order remains in effect for the immediate area. Local schools and Credit Union Place remain closed as third-party firms conduct air quality sampling and officials analyze drinking water and runoff samples.

As Summerside works to contain fire at solar farm, this expert says such fires are rare

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-08 22:35:05.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Environment, Emergency]

A fire broke out in a large lithium iron phosphate battery bank at the Summerside Sunbank solar farm in Prince Edward Island, prompting local school closures, a shelter-in-place order, and a voluntary evacuation notice on September 7 and 8, 2026. Jeff Dahn, a physics and atmospheric science professor at Dalhousie University, noted that such energy storage facility fires are very uncommon and that modern installations are engineered with thermal barriers and battery management systems to prevent thermal runaway propagation.

Shelter in place notice still in effect for residents following Summerside solar farm fire

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-08 11:28:38.0
Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Energy, Emergency, Public Safety, Environment]

A prolonged battery fire at the City of Summerside's Sunbank solar farm, which began on Monday morning, has forced the continuation of a shelter-in-place notice and the closure of local schools including the Three Oaks Family of Schools and École-Sur-Mer. City officials, including Chief Administrative Officer JP Desrosiers and Deputy Mayor Cory Snow, reported that battery arrays are difficult to extinguish, prompting fire crews to contain the blaze while monitoring air and storm water quality. Residents living along South Drive between MacKenzie Drive and Bayview Drive have been advised to keep windows and doors closed, shut off ventilation systems, and keep pets indoors due to electrical burning smells and potential toxin concerns.