Mayor’s levee with family fun day marks the new year

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
An annual invitation to the residents of Prince Edward County to mark the new year unfolded Sunday afternoon at the Prince Edward Community Centre.

Highlighting a number of accomplishments and providing an update on several on-going projects, the mayor spoke to road reconstruction and rehabilitation (including County Road 49, and how construction shoyuld begin in one year on the new roundabout at County Road 1/Highway 62). Also, he spoke to the hospital and long-term care home new builds (both expected to open in 2027), a successful physician recruitment program, and a continued commitment to affordable housing.

He noted too how this is the final levee for this term of council as it nears its end, as the municipal election will take place in October.

“I have been reflecting on what has been a rewarding and challenging experience,” shared Ferguson, who added how the COVID-19 pandemic “altered our world in ways that, quite honestly, we are still grappling with nearly six years later”.

“We were pushed further into a state of flux over the last year by the administration leading our neighbours to the south,” he said. “We must, and we will, prepare for more flux, unpredictable threats, and uncertainty in the future,” adding in these uncertain times, the County remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver safe and sustainable services in a predictable and cost-effective way.

Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette poses with Mayor Steve Ferguson and MPP Tyler Allsopp

The mayor also welcomed visiting dignitaries including Bay of Quinte MP Chris Malette and Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, as well as Jim Alyea (Quinte West deputy mayor), Neil Ellis (Belleville mayor) and Garnet Thompson (Belleville councillor).

Around half of the County’s councillors were present, namely John Hirsch, Brad Neiman, Phil St-Jean, Kate MacNaughton, Sam Branderhorst, Bill Roberts and David Harrison. They were joined by several former County councillors, as well as representatives from the fire department, community organizations and groups.

The winter family fun day and New Year’s levee brought family activities, displays about history and heritage, and neat nature stuff, along with free skating, treats and beverages.

There were fun crafting activities for the kids (some of them snow-themed, such as snowman soup), making a pinecone birdfeeder, colouring, and cookie decorating – as well as exploring a big fire truck outside.

The levee, which until recently was centred around tradition and formality within the historic setting of Macaulay Church, was re-branded last year into more of a family day-type event as a way to encourage more resident participation, but now lacks the nostalgia and unique ceremony of past events some residents enjoyed.

“We had such a positive response to this last year, to this new levee format, that I am pleased to see that we are going to continue it this year, and hopefully for years to come,” Ferguson said.

In 2025, council finalized a plan for maintaining, updating and replacing the infrastructure it owns, where Ferguson noted how this plan is expected to enable the municipality to direct resources and activities where they are needed most.

“This year, we will invest $14 million in road reconstruction and rehabilitation; $4.5 million of that will go toward rehabilitation and preventive maintenance on 53 kilometres of rural roads ($874,000 more than 2025).”.

And the question he gets asked about the most by residents, the mayor said the simple answer to when County Road 49 is going to get fixed is: “we have never been closer to getting this done than we are now”.

Even with the provincial government announcing a year ago it would provide nearly $20 million to support the rehabilitation of County Road 49, Ferguson said, “the hard reality is that perhaps only half of the $52.3 million rehabilitation project cost remains currently unfunded, and we are doing everything we can to get the federal government to join us.

“I am confident that we will cure the lingering County Road 49 problem this year: it’s not a promise: but confidence.”

On the on-going issue of providing affordable housing options, Ferguson said the municipality remains committed to affordable housing in a variety of ways, where he also cited the Leeward House transitional housing model. He said, on the affordable rental housing front, staff continue to work with non-profits and private developers toward more than 400 affordable units across six sites.

Touching on physician recruitment through the County Docs program, Ferguson said nine physicians have been recruited in the County since the start of the program, with five “high-potential” leads in the pipeline. This has resulted in 1,750 County residents coming off the Health Care Connect list and onto physician rosters.

“The municipality has committed a total of $1.215 million in return of servicing standards for primary care physicians between 2022 and 2029,” he said. “$175,000 was allocated to providing incentives to doctors to expand their rosters and bring patients off the Health Care Connect waiting list.“

On the topic of economic development, an action plan was approved by council in 2025 which outlines the activities that the municipality and its partners can pursue over the next five years to support existing economic sectors, while preparing to take advantage of opportunities for new growth.

“That fact is evidenced as this year many of our farmers, and those from outside Prince Edward County, will be able to ship their grain from Picton, thereby reducing their costs, exposing their product to a much wider world,” he added.

But he also mentioned the closure of the Highline Mushoom plant last year, something he said “shocked our community”.

“I would be remiss if I did not stress my appreciation to Highline Mushrooms for the employment it provided to so many of our residents for so many decades, and for its many financial contributions to our community.”

Also acknowledging the broader economic outlook in Canada and around the world, he said this has caused some uncertainty closer to home.

“While Prince Edward County has a lot going for it, thanks to our popularity as a travel destination, let’s not forget that we are unique in having an aggregate population of over 10 million people within a two-and-a-half hour drive of the County,” Ferguson shared. “But there are still vulnerabilities, stubborn challenges that hinder growth for a true four-season economy.“

Ferguson also highlighted one particular planning application that was approved by council in 2025.

“I am particularly proud, I am extremely proud, that this council approved Campfire Circle development on Wesley Acres Road, where later this decade it will enable children stricken with cancer to enjoy one or two weeks of Prince Edward County’s natural beauty.”

He said council’s approval of this project enables the organization to secure the necessary donations to make Campfire Circle a reality, including a recently-announced private donation of $15 million.

Concluding his update, the mayor noted how in less than a year, this council will pass the torch to the next group.

“I encourage any of you who might be interested in the well-being of our community to put your name forward in the next election. Or, if you know somebody that would make a great councillor, talk to them and encourage them to run.”

He said, they are looking for candidates with a variety of backgrounds and life experience, so that the municipality “can better meet the needs of all residents and businesses as it continues to evolve and to grow”.

“On one hand, being on council may be the toughest work you’ll ever do, but on the other hand, it will very likely be the most rewarding work you’ll do.”