Part 2: County Road 22 Removed, Planning Review Approved, and Housing Advocacy Moves Forward - 03/11/2025

Transportation Plan and County Road 22

Councillor Phil St-Jean introduced the amendment to remove the County Road 22 extension from the Transportation Master Plan. In presenting the motion, he pointed to several key concerns, including the high projected cost of the project, questions about whether the road was actually necessary, and the potential negative impact on residents living in the affected areas.

Support for the amendment was strong and vocal. Councillors Roy Pennell, Chris Braney, Harrison, and Nyman spoke in favor, emphasizing that the issue went beyond infrastructure planning. They highlighted the human impact, noting that homes represent stability, history, and personal security not just financial assets. Several comments focused on the stress placed on residents, particularly seniors, who had been living with the possibility of expropriation hanging over them.

The amendment ultimately passed unanimously. For residents along Ridge Road, County Road 1, and nearby areas, this decision removed the immediate threat of property loss and brought a sense of relief after prolonged uncertainty.

Later in the meeting, the full Transportation Master Plan without the County Road 22 extension was brought forward for approval. It passed with a 9–3 vote, supported by Mayor Steve Ferguson and Councillors Phil St-Jean, John Hirsch, Roberts, Kate MacNaughton, Harrison, Engelsdorfer, Chris Braney, and Nyman.

This outcome means the County now has a long-term transportation strategy in place, while avoiding one of its most controversial and disruptive components.

Photo: PEC Council/ YouTube

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

Chamber of Commerce Agreement

Councillor Chris Braney led the motion to approve the Chamber of Commerce service agreement. The proposal received broad support from across Council, including Councillors Roy Pennell, Phil St-Jean, Roberts, and Mayor Steve Ferguson.

The motion passed unanimously, signaling a shared recognition of the importance of supporting the local business community, particularly during a period of economic uncertainty.

For local businesses, this agreement is expected to improve coordination between the municipality and the Chamber, strengthen advocacy efforts, and provide more structured support. This is especially relevant as tourism patterns evolve and operating costs continue to rise, creating new challenges for small and seasonal businesses across the county.

Planning Department Review

A motion to initiate an external review of the County’s planning department was brought forward by Councillor Chris Braney. The proposal gained strong backing from Councillors Phil St-Jean, Roy Pennell, Roberts, Harrison, Engelsdorfer, and Mayor Steve Ferguson.

However, the motion was not without opposition. Councillor Kate MacNaughton voted against it, raising concerns about the potential loss of local control and the implications of relying on external reviewers for internal processes.

Despite this, the motion passed with an 11–1 vote.

For residents, developers, and others navigating the planning system, this review signals a push toward improving efficiency and clarity. The goal is to address common frustrations, such as delays and unclear processes, while still maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability within the system.

Affordable Housing Advocacy

Councillor Phil St-Jean introduced a resolution related to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), calling for increased federal attention to local housing challenges. The motion received unanimous support from Council.

As part of the resolution, Mayor Steve Ferguson was directed to advocate directly to federal housing leaders on behalf of the County.

This initiative is particularly significant given the region’s extremely low vacancy ratereported at under 1 percent which places pressure on renters and limits housing options. The resolution aims to support the development of more affordable rental housing, benefiting a wide range of residents, including workers, seniors, youth, and individuals with disabilities.

Child Care Task Team

Councillors Nyman and Engelsdorfer were appointed to the Child Care Task Team by acclamation, meaning there was unanimous agreement without the need for a formal vote.

This appointment reflects Council’s recognition of child care as an ongoing priority. As the county’s population grows and workforce demands increase, access to reliable and affordable child care remains a critical issue for many families.

By assigning dedicated council representation to this task team, the County is taking steps to ensure the issue remains visible and actively addressed.

Integrity Commissioner Report

Council unanimously received the Integrity Commissioner’s report for information. While the report did not result in any penalties, it prompted discussion around broader themes of transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Even in the absence of formal consequences, these discussions matter. Maintaining confidence in local government depends on clear standards of conduct and a willingness to address concerns openly.

For residents, this reinforces the importance of oversight mechanisms that help ensure elected officials remain accountable.

Overall Impact

This meeting reflected a balance between long-term strategic planning and immediate, real-world impacts on residents.

Council took clear action on a number of fronts: removing a controversial road project that threatened homes, supporting local businesses through formal agreements, advancing housing advocacy, and initiating improvements to internal systems such as planning and oversight.

Across these decisions, a consistent theme emerged responding to community concerns while trying to strengthen the County’s long-term direction. For residents, the outcomes translate into reduced uncertainty in key areas, stronger representation on issues like housing and infrastructure, and a clearer sense of where the County is heading in the years ahead.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 4:00:053. 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.