Part 2: PEC Council Divided on Water, United on Housing - 11/14/2023

The meeting was chaired throughout by Mayor Steve Ferguson, who managed proceedings, called votes, and repeatedly steered discussion back to procedural scope when debate drifted beyond the item at hand. Ferguson also offered his own commentary at several points, particularly on tourism management, infrastructure borrowing, and committee naming, signaling where he believed clarity for the public mattered most.

Early in the meeting, Councillor Janice Maynard played a central role. She introduced the post–closed session motion confirming changes to the Appeals Committee, including appointing Robert Osborne, Mike Walker, Nicholas Grostanis, and Terry Short as public members. That motion carried without opposition, formalizing a committee that handles property standards appeals and certain licensing decisions.

© PEC Council (YouTube)

View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Public Delegations: Committee Scope and Source Water Protection

During public comment, Kelly McGilvery, Chair of the Traffic Advisory Committee, presented Council with a request to rename the committee the Transportation Advisory Committee. McGilvery explained that the committee’s scope now includes active transportation, cycling, and pedestrian safety, and argued the new name better reflected that work. In response, Councillor Phil St-Jean questioned whether the term “traffic” already covered pedestrians and cyclists, while Councillor Roy Pennell raised concerns about public confusion and administrative cost if the name were changed.

The second public speaker, Amy Dickens, Source Water Protection Program Coordinator with Quinte Conservation, warned Council that proposed provincial changes to the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry could reduce ministry oversight for activities that pose significant drinking water threats. Her comments directly shaped later Council debate and motions.

CAO Quarterly Report: Housing, Infrastructure, and Tourism

The CAO’s Q3 Report generated broad engagement across Council. Councillor Janice Maynard questioned why new short-term accommodation applications were still being processed, prompting staff to clarify that while whole-home STAs were capped, other categories remained permitted. Councillor Roy Pennell used the report discussion to raise concerns about long-term rental units being converted to Airbnbs, linking it to affordability pressures in the west end of the County. Councillor Phil St-Jean pressed staff on the status of housing partnerships, the Regional Water Supply Master Plan, and delays in sidewalk construction, while Councillor Bill Roberts focused on community facilities, tourism enforcement revenue, and long-standing infrastructure issues like County Road 49.

Infrastructure Borrowing and Financial Decisions

When Council moved to financial matters, the motion authorizing up to $23.3 million in borrowing through Infrastructure Ontario drew questions but little resistance. Councillor Phil St-Jean asked for clarification on how construction loans work, while Councillor David Harrison expressed concern about interest rates and long-term debt exposure. Staff confirmed that projects were already underway and that the borrowing replaced cash already spent. The motion carried, reflecting Council’s acceptance that these infrastructure costs were locked in by prior decisions.

Council also approved the 2024 interim tax levy bylaw without debate, a routine vote that carried unanimously, allowing tax collection to begin before the full budget is passed.

Advocacy Motion: Guaranteed Livable Income

Two advocacy motions revealed clearer philosophical differences. The first, brought forward by Councillor Bill Roberts, called on senior governments to establish a guaranteed livable income. Roberts cited local data on housing costs, food insecurity, and low incomes, framing the issue as both economic and public health–related.

Councillor Roy Pennell supported the motion but suggested notifying opposition leaders as well as governing parties. Councillor David Harrison questioned whether a guaranteed income would address labour shortages, while Councillor Chris Braney and others focused on the broader social implications. The motion carried, showing Council’s willingness to advocate beyond strictly municipal jurisdiction.

Advocacy Motion: Source Water Protection and Provincial Oversight

The second advocacy motion, introduced by Councillor Janice Maynard, directly addressed the concerns raised by Quinte Conservation. The resolution urged the province to halt proposed changes that would weaken oversight of activities affecting source water protection. Debate was extensive. Councillor John Hirsch explicitly referenced Walkerton, arguing that self-regulation invites risk.

Councillor David Harrison acknowledged the principle but raised concerns about regulatory duplication and cost. A recorded vote was requested, and the motion carried 13–1, with Harrison voting opposed and all other councillors, including Mayor Ferguson, voting in favour.

Traffic Advisory Committee Naming Debate

Later in the meeting, Council returned to the Traffic Advisory Committee report. While Council supported staff reviews of multiple road safety concerns across the County, the proposed committee name change resurfaced as a point of division.

Councillor Phil St-Jean formally moved an amendment to remove the renaming clauses, arguing that “traffic” was clearer for the public. Councillor Janice Maynard and staff emphasized that the change was modern and administrative, while Councillor Roy Pennell, Councillor Chris Braney, and Mayor Ferguson stressed continuity and public understanding. A recorded vote on the amendment carried 7–6, removing the name change. The amended motion then passed, keeping the committee’s existing title.

What This Means for the Locals

For residents across the County, these decisions translate into several concrete outcomes. Infrastructure borrowing and tax decisions confirm that major water and road projects are moving forward, with financial impacts already embedded in future budgets.

Housing and income advocacy motions signal Council’s growing focus on affordability pressures felt most acutely by renters, seniors, and lower-income households.

Finally, the strong vote on source water protection reassures residents who rely on local groundwater systems that Council is actively resisting any reduction in oversight that could affect drinking water safety, while the Traffic Advisory Committee debate highlights Council’s sensitivity to how governance decisions are understood at the community level.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:27:59. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.