I would like to tell you a story about discrimination, segregation and violation of civil and Canadian rights.
All these things are possible because of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). This act was forced on Islanders by the Liberal and Green parties but is now supported by the PC Party as well in spite of election promises.
This act discriminates against rural unincorporated residents. Decisions are made to annex unincorporated areas with no vote by rural residents. Unincorporated are segregated from the urban areas when it comes time to vote on annexation and the act pits neighbours against each other.
Violation of civil and Canadian rights because it allows a small group of councillors to control rights of residents with no input. All Canadian residents are to be treated equally!
Minister Fox stated publicly that he would not force any community to be amalgamated if they were not in agreement; however, he forced Bonshaw into the West River amalgamation even though he had a petition in hand signed by 95 per cent of residents asking to be left out.
Charlottetown city council recently approved a permit to build an eight-storey, 99-unit waterfront development in a quiet, residential neighbourhood. A petition has been signed by over 660 people to date describes issues such as heritage properties, traffic issues, loss of communal green space and environmental issues. Because of the MGA, this development was able to be approved without public input.
Gary Robbins,
Martinvale
