The Province of Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI) to partner with the First Nations as they pursue the acquisition of federal government land on the Charlottetown waterfront for tourism development opportunities.
The provincial government is making efforts to acquire properties on the Charlottetown waterfront currently occupied by Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It is the intention of the Province, if successful, to convey the property to CADC for the construction of a tourism convention centre and re-development of the property for tourism activity. Through this agreement, MCPEI, on behalf of Mi’kmaq governments in Lennox Island and Abegweit, will be part of the re-development process.
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is working cooperatively with our community leaders to ensure the redevelopment of the Charlottetown waterfront is done in fair and transparent way,” said Premier Ghiz. “This Memorandum of Understanding outlines how the three parties wish to proceed in unison in the development of these lands for the benefit of Islanders. We are pleased to be gaining momentum toward the realization of this project, which will benefit our tourism industry province wide, create business opportunities for Islanders and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
“We are extremely pleased to partner with the province as it pursues this exciting development,” said Chief Darlene Bernard of Lennox Island, co-chair of MCPEI Board of Directors. “We have made it a priority for our Mi’kmaq governments to pursue economic opportunities that will have a positive impact for our community members, as well as cultural opportunities which highlight the important contributions the Mi’kmaq make to our province.”
Chief Brian Francis of Abegweit First Nation and co-chair of MCPEI Board of Directors thanked Premier Ghiz and his Government for including the Mi’kmaq in the pursuit of this development.
“Premier Ghiz signed Canada-PEI-Mi’kmaq Partnership Agreement in December 2007 and we are pleased that his government continues to honour that agreement by partnering with the Mi’kmaq on potential developments such as this,” said Chief Francis. “We are very excited about the potential for this development, not only for the Mi’kmaq, but for all of PEI.”
“CADC is very pleased to be working in collaboration with the Province and MCPEI on this very significant project for the Charlottetown waterfront,” said Jim Larkin Chair of the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation
Details on the convention centre and possible tourism re-development opportunities are in preliminary stages. Those plans will not be finalized until the property is acquired and a public consultation process is carried out.