Amalgamation deadline needs to be set now, says municipality federation

The Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities says the province should put a deadline on amalgamation so all areas across the Island become incorporated.

Bruce MacDougall, federation president, told the legislative standing committee Nov. 8 that rural areas on P.E.I. are falling behind compared to other parts of Canada because so many places are unincorporated. 

• P.E.I. rural amalgamation opposed in petition with 781 signatures

He said the federation is calling for larger, stronger municipalities.

"The need to change municipal boundaries has been well documented, but public resistance or perceived resistance has stalled progress for decades, fear of losing community identity is often cited for a reason for maintaining the present system, but the federation is convinced that creating larger municipalities would strengthen individual communities," said MacDougall. 

MacDougall told the legislative standing committee a lack of incorporated municipalities has led to haphazard development and poor planning. The federation said 30 per cent of P.E.I.'s population lives in unincorporated areas with many municipal boundaries dating back to the 1800s. 

• Legislation would allow P.E.I. to force communities to amalgamate

In the spring, P.E.I.'s government tabled legislation that would give the Minister of Land, Communities and Environment the ability to initiate amalgamation in municipalities where local councils might be unwilling.

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