Part 2: Unanimous Votes and Procurement Questions - 02/24/2026
- PECConnect
- Feb 24
- 4 min read
Following the broader discussion, the February 24, 2026 meeting of the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation Board also made it clear who supported the next steps and how decisions were formally made. Here is a closer look at who spoke, who voted, and what direction was given.
Amending the Agenda to Add the NRCan Discussion
The first key move of the meeting came when Councillor Kate MacNaughton introduced the motion to amend the agenda to include discussion of the Natural Resources Canada Offsite Construction Challenge.
Chair Councillor Phil St-Jean called the vote after confirming there was no further discussion. The amendment carried unanimously. No board member spoke against adding the item.
That decision opened the door to formally debate whether the Corporation should explore partnering with Theberge Homes and 720 Modular on a potential application tied to the Nile Street project.
View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.
Questions About Procurement and Fairness
During the discussion, Albert Paschkowiak, Environmental Services and Sustainability Supervisor, raised concerns about process. He asked whether entering into a partnership for the grant could create the appearance of favouring a company before issuing a formal RFP for the project.
Staff clarified that even if the design funding were secured, the Corporation would still be required to go through a competitive procurement process. The design work would inform the RFP, not replace it.
Councillor MacNaughton reinforced that point. She noted that having a clear design in place before issuing an RFP could actually strengthen the process by clarifying unit mix, massing, and expectations.
No member expressed opposition to exploring the opportunity, but several emphasized the importance of keeping procurement transparent.
Timeline and Application Strategy
Councillor St-Jean reminded the board that the application deadline of March 27 made timing critical.
Councillor MacNaughton suggested a two-step approach. Instead of immediately committing to apply, she proposed directing staff to meet with the potential partners first, review the details, and then report back before making a final decision. There was discussion about whether that extra step could slow things down. Ultimately, members agreed that preserving the option to walk away if the terms were not aligned was important.
A motion was then brought forward directing staff to explore partnering with Théberge Homes and 720 Modular and to report back at the March 9 meeting. The motion was moved by Councillor Nieman and seconded by Councillor Grasso. Chair St-Jean called the vote. It carried unanimously.
Wellington Food Bank Consideration
The potential inclusion of the Wellington Food Bank in the Nile Street project was also raised. Paschkowiak asked whether the Food Bank would need to be formally involved at this stage of the grant application. St.-Jean acknowledged that outreach would be necessary. MacNaughton suggested that Phase 1 of the grant might not require full tenant commitments yet.
No formal motion was made on this point, but the discussion signaled that the Food Bank remains part of the broader conversation.
After moving into closed session under the Municipal Act to consider land and financial matters, the board returned to open session. At that time, Councillor MacNaughton moved that staff be directed to prepare a revised pro forma and a presentation to Council. The motion was seconded by Councillor Nieman.
Chair St-Jean called the vote. The motion carried unanimously.
Finally, a motion to adjourn was moved by Councillor Hirsch and seconded by Councillor Grasso. The meeting adjourned at 12:42 p.m.
What This Means for the Locals
For residents watching the affordable housing file, this meeting signals a few practical things.
The Affordable Housing Corporation is actively pursuing outside funding. The board is not committing to a builder or bypassing procurement rules. Instead, it is exploring whether federal design money could strengthen the Nile Street project before going to market.
There is still no final decision to apply for the NRCan grant. Staff will report back in early March, and that is when the board will decide whether to move ahead.
Third, financial planning continues behind the scenes. The direction to prepare a revised pro forma suggests that updated numbers and projections will soon be presented to Council.
This meeting did not finalize a project or award funding. What it did do is move the Nile Street conversation one step forward while keeping the process open and structured. For PEC residents concerned about housing supply, cost, and transparency, those details matter.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:43:35. 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.
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