Area Residents Surrounding The Communities of Mount Stewart, Morell And St. Peters Reject The Idea of Incorporation

Elmer MacFadyen, Minister responsible for municipalities, today released the results of the vote taken regarding incorporation of areas surrounding the three municipalities of Mount Stewart, Morell and St. Peters.

Minister MacFadyen stated that the results of the voting at public meetings overwhelmingly rejected the idea of incorporation by a vote of 131 to 10 in the area surrounding Mount Stewart; 157 to 43 in the area surrounding Morell; and 179 to 13 in the area surrounding St. Peters.

Minister MacFadyen said that, “Under the Municipalities Act, residents do have the right to express their opinion whether they wish to incorporate or not. The message received by the Government based on the voting held clearly identified that the areas did not desire to incorporate.” As a result of the meetings, Government will not be pursuing the incorporation of these areas.

Minister MacFadyen pointed out that the request for this incorporation was initiated by residents of the area and not Government and the discussion to not pursue incorporation is a decision that Government endorses based on the responses of the public meetings. “My Government has always based decisions on the premise that it is essential to talk to Islanders first before we act,” concluded Minister MacFadyen.