Part 1: Housing Progress, Road Wins, and Budget Decisions – 03/24/2026

The County Council met on March 24, 2026, for its regular evening session, led by Mayor Steve Ferguson. The meeting began with a closed session before moving into the public portion at 7 p.m., where council worked through a full agenda that touched on housing, infrastructure, local economy, and routine municipal operations.

From the start, the tone was a mix of updates and forward planning. Several items reflected long-running community priorities, especially housing and infrastructure, while others focused on the everyday services that keep the County running.

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Affordable Housing Update Takes the Spotlight

The biggest portion of the meeting was a detailed presentation from Councillor Phil St-Jean and Councillor Brad Nieman, representing the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation (PECAHC).

They walked council through the history of the corporation, starting from early recognition of housing challenges in 2011 to the formation of the board in 2019. Since then, the group has focused mainly on developing rental housing options, with a shift toward becoming a municipal services corporation in 2022 to allow more flexibility with financing and borrowing.

A key message was that progress has been slower than many residents might expect, but still within typical development timelines. Housing projects often take years due to land preparation, environmental requirements, funding applications, and partnerships.

Two major projects were highlighted during the presentation. The 30 Disraeli Street site in Picton is moving ahead more quickly, with construction expected in 2026 and occupancy targeted before the end of the year. In contrast, the 230 Niles Street site in Wellington has faced delays tied to environmental remediation, including soil removal and groundwater testing that extended timelines and added cost.

Council also heard that multiple funding applications have been submitted over the years, with limited success. Much of the available federal funding has been geared toward larger urban centres, making it harder for smaller municipalities like the County to qualify.

Despite that, the corporation continues to pursue new opportunities, including the Build Canada Homes program, which could support both major housing sites if successful.

Council Discussion Reflects Public Frustration

During questions, Councillor Chris Braney raised concerns about public perception, noting that residents are growing impatient after several years without completed units.

In response, St-Jean emphasized that visible progress is finally coming, with the Disraeli project expected to deliver units this year. He also explained that early projects are critical for building credibility and unlocking future funding.

There was also discussion about affordability itself. Council clarified that the corporation focuses on affordable housing, not subsidized housing, which remains the responsibility of upper levels of government.

At the same time, council members acknowledged the need for clearer communication with residents to explain timelines, costs, and what “affordable” actually means in practice.

County Road 49 Reconstruction Highlighted

Outside of housing, council celebrated a major infrastructure milestone. Members acknowledged the successful funding announcement for the reconstruction of County Road 49, a long-standing priority.

Mayor Ferguson noted that the project is a full reconstruction rather than a simple repair, and credited a wide range of partners including healthcare organizations, agricultural groups, and local associations for advocating alongside the municipality.

This project has been years in the making and represents one of the County’s largest infrastructure wins.

Chamber of Commerce Agreement and Economic Initiatives

A deputation from Lawrence Mosselson, Chair of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce, outlined the impact of a proposed 2026 service agreement.

The agreement is intended to support several local initiatives, including better tracking of economic trends, expanded accessibility programs for businesses, a potential resident discount card, and continued development of County Commons as a shared workspace. It also includes programming aimed at strengthening year-round economic activity rather than relying heavily on peak tourism seasons.

Routine Decisions: Contracts and Services

Council also moved through several operational decisions tied to municipal services. New grass cutting contracts were approved across multiple wards, with staff noting improvements in how properties are mapped and tracked. The updated process is expected to reduce confusion and improve service consistency, and the total cost came in slightly lower than previous years.

Council also approved the annual contract for road line painting and pavement markings. The project remains within budget, and a small surplus will be redirected toward refreshing commemorative and pride crosswalks later in the year.

An updated agreement with Hastings County for land ambulance services was also approved. The new agreement extends the term to eight years, giving both municipalities more stability for long-term planning, especially as equipment and service costs continue to rise.

Election Sign Rules Debate

One of the more debated items involved changes to the election sign bylaw. Council discussed whether to restrict when candidates can begin placing signs.

Some members argued that limiting sign timelines could create fairness issues or conflict with existing legal guidance. Others felt earlier signage could help new candidates gain visibility and encourage more people to run.

After discussion and a recorded vote, the proposed amendment was defeated.

Key Takeaways

1. The County is starting to see real movement on affordable housing, with the first new units expected to be completed later this year. While progress has taken time, council made it clear that these early projects are meant to unlock more funding and accelerate future builds.

   
   

2. A major infrastructure win was confirmed with the reconstruction of County Road 49, which will have long-term impacts on safety, transportation, and the local economy. This project reflects years of advocacy and coordination across multiple sectors.

   
   

3. At the same time, council continues to balance long-term priorities with everyday services. From grass cutting and road maintenance to ambulance agreements and business support programs, the meeting showed how both big-picture planning and routine decisions shape daily life across the County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 3:53:11. 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.