Bring Access P.E.I. office to Cornwall, P.E.I.: MLA Mark McLane
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Mark McLane believes the increasing inhabitants within the better Charlottetown area signifies that it’s time for the province to determine an Entry P.E.I. workplace in Cornwall.
The Cornwall-Meadowbank MLA says the transfer would assist ease the rising calls for on the Charlottetown workplace of the one-stop authorities providers location. It may additionally cut back local weather emissions and convey providers nearer to different residents of Queens County.
McLane launched a movement within the P.E.I. legislature on March 8, calling for the province to discover the potential for a satellite tv for pc Entry P.E.I. workplace in Cornwall.
Entry P.E.I. workplaces supply entry to various authorities providers, together with driver’s licence renewals, property tax fee processing and the distribution of free COVID-19 fast checks.
Talking earlier than the legislature on March 8, McLane mentioned Cornwall is without doubt one of the quickest rising municipalities in Canada.
However Charlottetown and Stratford are additionally rising quick, and this has meant extra Islanders want entry to authorities providers. Near 55,000 Islanders visited the workplace between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.
“The Entry P.E.I. location on Riverside Drive is the one location within the capital regional servicing all of Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall,” McLane mentioned. “Not solely does it make sense for Cornwall to be a location, it might truly assist individuals from each the south shore and even in West Royalty. Even half of Charlottetown may entry (it).”
“Not solely does it make sense for Cornwall to be a location, it might truly assist individuals from each the south shore and even in West Royalty. Even half of Charlottetown may entry (it).”
– MLA Mark McLane
In an interview on March 18, McLane acknowledged it is not uncommon for politicians to request extra authorities providers of their residence neighborhood. However he mentioned he believes the ballooning calls for on the Riverside Drive Entry P.E.I. workplace help the case for a satellite tv for pc location within the capital area.
“Geographically and numbers-wise, I feel we’ve got a sound enterprise case,” he mentioned.
McLane acknowledged that Cornwall doesn’t but have enough vacant workplace area to accommodate a satellite tv for pc Entry P.E.I. location. However he mentioned there are new buildings deliberate for the subsequent few years.
Cornwall Coun. Corey Frizzell mentioned he helps McLane’s proposal. He mentioned the City of Cornwall has been lobbying the province to find a authorities workplace within the municipality for years.
He additionally mentioned the placement would service different communities in Queens County and would assist carry extra financial exercise and jobs to Cornwall.
“We now have over 6,000 individuals simply in Cornwall. If you happen to have a look at the world that we offer service to, it might most likely be double that. Possibly triple,” Frizell mentioned. “If it occurs, it might be nice.”
Talking within the legislature on March 8, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister James Aylward acknowledged that the calls for on the Charlottetown Entry P.E.I. are greater than he would really like. He didn’t absolutely decide to McLane’s movement however mentioned he was open to assembly with McLane and Cornwall council in regards to the concept.
“The division’s lease for our Riverside Drive location might be up in March of 2024, so we’re already trying to the long run to see what we may do,” Aylward mentioned. “We’re at the moment growing a plan for Queens County that can meet the various wants of our rising inhabitants.”
McLane’s movement didn’t come to a vote on March 8.
Stu Neatby is a political reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island.
