Island-wide public meetings designed to receive feedback on the development of Prince Edward Island’s Water Act will begin this week in Charlottetown, said Minister of Communities, Land and Environment Robert Mitchell.
“I am encouraged by the interest we have received to date in the development of a provincial Water Act,” said Minister Mitchell. “In response to the high number of Islanders seeking to present during the public consultation process, we have increased the number of public meetings originally scheduled and will continue to do so in order to ensure all interested Islanders have the opportunity to engage in this legislative development process.”
The new session added will take place at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown on Thursday, November 5. A complete list of public consultations scheduled to date, as well as information on how to register to make a presentation, is available on the Water Act website www.gov.pe.ca/wateract. French speaking Islanders are reminded that translation services will be available at the Wellington consultation on November 17. The format for public consultations will see four 30-minute presentations followed by a 30-minute open-mic where the general audience will have the opportunity to provide comment.
Islanders are also reminded that all presentations and audio recordings of all meetings held will be made available on the Water Act website.
“It is our goal to make certain the Water Act consultation process is carried out in the most open and transparent method possible. I encourage Islanders to review the material being passed along to the Environmental Advisory Council that will aid in the development of this new piece of legislation,” said Mitchell.
Feedback can be submitted at any time on the province’s website and also via phone, e-mail and written submission. To access the White Paper for P.E.I.’s Water Act and to submit feedback, please visit www.gov.pe.ca/wateract.