Victoria votes on trading park land for business

Residents of Victoria, P.E.I., are meeting next week to discuss the proposed expansion of an aquaculture facility near Victoria Provincial Park.

If Halibut PEI Inc. expands, the park could lose about 30 metres of property.

Ben Smith, community chair for the Municipality of Victoria, said council wants to hear from residents before voting on Halibut PEI's application.

"These people are investing a lot of money in their operation and they have had a successful pilot project and we have to look at it in that light. But we also have to look at if there's any kind of negative effect on anything else, you know ,quality of life here or other businesses that are running or the tourism industry which is extremely important," said Smith.

"Sixty five people at last count are employed full time in the tourism industry within this village,"

He said council has the final say on whether the expansion will go ahead, but he's unsure when council will vote on the proposal.

Representatives from Halibut PEI Inc. will be at the meeting to answer residents' questions, said Smith.

The public meeting is scheduled for July 3 at 7 p.m at the Victoria School House.