CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — All candidates in District 9 Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park agree that planning for the St. Peters corridor has not kept up with population growth in the area.
But they differ in terms of what needs to happen next.
Karen Lavers
Liberal candidate Karen Lavers served as the executive assistant to former Charlottetown mayor Clifford Lee for 25 years.
She said planning along the St. Peters Road did not take into account the population growth in East Royalty.
“That road can’t take it. It’s only a two-lane. They’re backed up near Jewell’s (greenhouse and market) in the summertime,” Lavers said.
Lavers said she helped bring the issue to the attention of provincial decision-makers last fall. She said the resulting roundabout, currently planned for the intersection of St. Peters Road, Northridge Parkway and Norwood Road is a start.
“It’s not going to alleviate all concerns, but it will alleviate safety,” she said.
Lavers says she has heard residents say they feel left out of decision-making and believes the city’s East Royalty master plan should go back to the community for consultations.
Natalie Jameson
Progressive Conservative candidate Natalie Jameson, a former marketing representative with an Alberta energy company, has also heard residents feel like “second-class citizens.”
“You can do things that, maybe if you were in Stratford or if you were in Brighton, you wouldn't get away with," Jameson said.
Jameson believes the province should look at widening the St. Peters corridor to two lanes, down to Jewell’s corner.
As the candidate for the governing party, Jameson believes that she may be able to offer residents the best chance to have their concerns heard. She said Transportation Minister has been out with her, canvassing local residents.
Gordon Gay
On the other hand, New Democratic Party candidate Gordon Gay says Islanders are mostly happy about the current minority situation in government.
“If the Conservatives were to win, they’re only one seat away from majority. So, all you need is one floor-crosser and that’s the end of the whole minority picture,” Gay said.
Gay said an NDP MLA would be the best voice for the district on housing issues. He suggested development in the district should be directed away from traffic choke-points like the St. Peter’s corridor or Northwood Road and should be concentrated on government-owned land near Hillsborough Park.
John Andrew
Green candidate John Andrew, a former medical physicist, said he does not believe the planned Northwood roundabout will adequately address traffic concerns.
"It's very close to the stoplights on the bypass highway,” Andrew said.
“When those stoplights turn red to the people coming in St. Peter's Road, I expect it will very quickly back up around the traffic circle.”
Andrew, who unsuccessfully attempted to have a crosswalk put in place along St. Peter’s years ago, says planning has largely been ad hoc in East Royalty, and has not adapted to developing subdivisions.
He also noted the Progressive Conservatives pledged a long-term traffic plan for the St. Peter’s corridor within 100 days of being elected.
“A hundred days is almost up now, and I don't see any real change there," Andrew said.
