Part 1: Hospital Update, Wine Industry Input, and Picton Terminals – 10/08/2024
- PECConnect
- Oct 8, 2024
- 5 min read
The County Council met at Shire Hall on October 8, 2024, for a Regular Council meeting chaired by Mayor Steve Ferguson. The meeting covered a mix of governance matters, major community updates, and long-running policy issues, with a large portion of the discussion focused on health care infrastructure, agriculture, and future Council operations. The meeting opened with a land acknowledgement and procedural remarks before briefly moving into closed session to receive legal advice, as permitted under the Municipal Act.
Council reconvened in open session at 7:00 p.m., where Mayor Ferguson confirmed that legal opinions related to ongoing litigation matters had been received during the closed portion of the meeting.
View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue to speaker comments and councillor votes>
Once back in open session, Council addressed items arising from the closed meeting. Councillor John Hirsch brought forward a motion for Council to receive a confidential independent legal opinion prepared by external counsel Loopstra Nixon. The opinion had been requested by Council earlier in September and related to a proposed settlement involving Picton Terminals. The motion carried, formally acknowledging receipt of the advice without discussing its contents publicly, as required by solicitor-client privilege.
Council then moved into announcements, where several councillors signaled issues that would be returning to the table at future meetings. Councillor Brad Nieman announced a forthcoming notice of motion related to the use of used heating oil and the possible use of salt brine for winter maintenance. Councillor Roy Pennell flagged interest in exploring a two-tier tax system separating rural and urban properties.
Councillor Phil St-Jean gave notice of a future reconsideration motion tied to a previous Planning and Development Committee decision involving a property on Pleasant Bay Road. Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer shifted the tone briefly by promoting Wellington’s upcoming Pumpkin Fest, highlighting its role as a community event rather than a Council decision item.
Mayor Ferguson also issued two formal proclamations. October 15 was proclaimed Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, and October 17 was proclaimed the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, with the Mayor citing local poverty and food insecurity statistics to underline why the designation matters in Prince Edward County.
Update on the New County Hospital
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to an update on the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital. Council heard from Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, alongside Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health, and Nancy Parks, Chair of the Back the Build campaign.
Coull outlined the long path toward the hospital redevelopment, noting that the County’s early financial commitment helped move the project into planning and design stages. She confirmed that the construction contract has now been awarded and that the new hospital remains on track to open in 2027.
Daub focused on the hospital’s design approach, emphasizing sustainability and patient-centred care. She explained that the building will rely heavily on mass timber construction, supported by geothermal energy, solar panels, and a green roof. These choices, she said, reflect both environmental responsibility and public health priorities. The new facility will also expand inpatient capacity and bring a CT scanner to the County for the first time.
Parks updated Council on fundraising progress, reporting that more than $23 million has been raised toward a $30 million goal. She credited the County’s original $4.5 million contribution as a key signal that helped galvanize community support.
Councillors from multiple wards thanked the presenters and acknowledged the years of advocacy behind the project. Council formally received the presentation through a carried motion.
Wine Industry Deputation
Council then heard a deputation from Dan Sullivan, representing the Prince Edward County Winegrowers Association. Sullivan framed the wine industry as an agricultural sector rooted in long-term farming investments rather than short-term tourism. He described how wineries contribute jobs, wages, and land stewardship, while also supporting the broader local economy.
Sullivan spoke at length about the importance of clear planning policies, particularly around on-farm diversified uses, which he said are critical for business sustainability and succession planning. He noted recent clarification from planning staff that certain uses are permitted as-of-right, describing this as a positive step.
Councillors asked questions about planning support, rural character, and the economics of winery operations, including the difference between farm-gate sales and LCBO distribution. Sullivan emphasized that direct sales allow more revenue to remain with local businesses. Council received the deputation following the discussion.
Public Comments on Port-Related By-law
Two members of the public addressed Council during the comments-from-the-audience portion of the meeting, both speaking to a proposed by-law related to Picton Terminals. One speaker urged Council to approve the by-law, citing benefits for local farmers and reduced transportation costs. Another speaker cautioned against approving the settlement and raised concerns about potential zoning and planning implications. Council formally received both comments.
The meeting then moved into items for consideration, beginning with discussion of the 2025 Council and Committee meeting schedule, including discussion over hybrid meetings and scheduling around Remembrance Day. That discussion, along with votes on major by-laws and procurement decisions, continued later into the evening and will be covered in Part 2.
Key Takeaways
The new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital remains a central and positive focus, with construction advancing and a strong emphasis on sustainability and expanded services.
Agriculture continues to be a key economic and planning issue, with wineries and grain operations raising questions about long-term policy clarity and rural land use.
Decisions related to Picton Terminals are approaching critical votes, drawing strong and divided views from both Council and the public.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 02:54:58. 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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