Lock down

Decision to take all steps necessary to prevent travel to the County deferred

Story: Corey Engelsdorfer

Last Thursday, Prince Edward County council deferred a motion asking the province to take all steps necessary to prevent travel to the County in order to get greater public input and to clarify language. The motion, which was put forward by Mayor Steve Ferguson, received enthusiastic support from several councillors, but others still worried about the lack of input from the public.

Ferguson told council the primary purpose of the request to the province was to protect the residents of Prince Edward County, most notably the senior population that is particularly vulnerable. Ferguson was worried about the upcoming Victoria Day weekend, and the influx of tourists that usually comes with it. “The concern to me is what looms in the upcoming Victoria Day weekend. Historically, the Prince Edward County population swells by thousands on the long weekend,” said Ferguson. “Whether that happens this year still remains to be seen. This resolution speaks to the particular circumstances of our community and our ability to respond if we do in fact get that influx.”

Scott Walcott, who has business interests in the Picton Harbour Inn, Bay of Quinte Charters and West Lake Willows, believes that the resolution was brought to council too quickly and without proper consultation. “The decision to discourage traffic to Prince Edward County should not be made hastily and without significant consultation to determine impacts and to determine potential mitigating measures,” said Walcott. “The lack of transparency and the lack of public and and private consultation is a concern to me as a resident and as as stakeholder.” Walcott noted that the Province already has a framework, and although no dates have been attached, it would be premature to pass the motion ahead of any provincial notifications. Walcott also pointed out that the County’s newly formed Economic Recovery Team had not been consulted prior to the motion coming before council. “Recently a diverse economic recovery team was announced. I have spoken to several of the members of this team and they were not consulted or notified about the proposed resolution. I am not saying that we should not discourage travel. But I am asking council to defer this decision to both see what provincial regulations are announced in the coming days and weeks, and to consult tourism stakeholder associations and the economic recovery team,” he said.

Duarte Da Silva, Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Winegrower’s Association spoke on behalf of the 40 wineries and cideries that are currently closed to visitors. “These small businesses, who have done so much to bolster the County economy over the last few decades, have really stepped up and responded to government requests when asked. They have closed their facilities to the public. They have cancelled events. They are offering home deliveries. We have fundamentally changed the way we’ve worked and maintained as many jobs as possible,” said Da Silva. He told council that the motion was counterproductive, and that the wineries and cideries are keen to be part of the solution moving forward. “If we are going to restart this economy when we need to, we will need to manage tourism and create an environment where we can start our economy in a safe and productive way. We cannot create an environment where we discourage the opening of our economy when the province advises us it is safe to do so. We cannot create division within our community, because some of our friends and neighbours do not stay in the homes they own, or don’t have licence plates we recognize.”

Mayor Ferguson attempted to clear up a few concerns. He pointed out that the County’s large senior population, and its medical capacity were two key contributors to him putting forth the resolution. “For over a month we have been advising the public now is not the time to visit the County. Stress on grocery and other essential businesses and our limited medical capabilities are key to that communication. Small rural communities such as ours do not possess the capabilities to deal with a large influx of people with the provincial restrictions currently in place,” said Ferguson.

Councillor John Hirsch wanted to change the resolution to read non-essential travel, and be clear that property owners can still visit, but tourists are encouraged to stay away. “I think we should not be doing something that restricts our own landowners from visiting on a necessary basis to their own properties. Close to a third of property owners in the County actually have addresses outside of the County, and I don’t think they can be restricted from coming to their own properties to do necessary maintenance,” he said.

Ferguson wanted to be clear that council cannot actually stop people from visiting. “Nowhere in this document is the word ban used. We cannot ban. Those who intend to come to PEC may do so. Seasonal property owners have a right to do so. My ask is that they and others consider the possible consequences of that travel to our community,” he said.

Councillor Andreas Bolik shared that the province has put forth a plan to start to reopen. And, with local businesses already closed, he wasn’t sure what the resolution achieved. “This resolution, even if it did make sense, comes four weeks too late. I am also troubled with the lack of openness and transparency. There has been no previous discussion and now we have a short-notice special meeting that prevents proper examination by council and input from the public. This resolution asks for the provincial government to cut Prince Edward County off from the rest of the province. What makes us unique from other rural areas? We are not the only tourist-oriented municipality.”

Bolik also worried about singling out tourists. “Have these people ceased to be our friends?” he asked. “Have they become our new enemy? We are not an isolated community. We have people who work and shop in our neighbouring municipalities, and they work and shop here. This motion reeks of panic, xenophobia and ineptitude,” said Bolik.

Councillor Mike Harper said he has heard from a lot of local residents who are fearful of what might come when businesses reopen. “We have a local population that is very fearful, and understandably so, but they have to understand that at some point, following the province, we will be gradually be opening up our economy. And tourism is a big part of that economy. That has to be accepted by the locals, but we have to make them comfortable,” said Harper. “Business owners are scared too. They are scared for themselves. Scared for the viability of their business. Scared for their employees. They are scared if we don’t do this right there will be a second lock down, and that will be the permanent ending of their business.”

Harper believed the bigger issue will lie in what Sandbanks Provincial Park decides to do with its season. “As a tourist economy on an island, as the warmers months come along, there will be a lot of people coming. The issues are Sandbanks Provincial Park in particular. We need the province’s help on what we are going to do with Sandbanks. Once we say our beaches are open, we will have to brace ourselves for a lot of people who are waiting to get out in the fresh air. That is the bigger issue for me,” he said.

In the end council agreed to send the resolution back to the mayor for consultation with staff and stakeholders and that it be brought back for another special meeting, to be held on Thursday, May 7 at 3 p.m.