Borden-Carleton mayor concerned over MLA's public meeting about proposed gas station
Mayor of community says Matt MacFarlane's meeting arranged without consultation
The mayor of Borden-Carleton is raising concerns about a public meeting to be held Monday by the area's MLA, Matt MacFarlane, about the planning of a fourth gas station in the town.
The proposed project, to be built by D.P. Murphy at the corner of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Dickie Road, would include a gas station, coffee shop and convenience store.
It's sparked discussion in the community in the past, with some residents and business owners saying the town of about 800 people is already "well served" by three other gas stations.
The proposal is under review by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, which is responsible for approving retail gas outlets on the Island.
In a letter to Housing, Land and Communities Minister Steven Myers, Borden-Carleton Mayor Randy Ahearn said MacFarlane's meeting could cause issues.
"The MLA's decision to host a separate meeting — without any consultation with town council — undermines the integrity of the municipal planning process," he wrote.
"This is not an official part of the planning framework and risks creating confusion among residents, while signaling to potential investors that due process can be sidestepped for political purposes."
Ahearn said planning and developing are "core municipal responsibilities," adding: "When an MLA initiates parallel processes, it not only disrupts community trust — it may deter future developers who question whether their projects will be reviewed fairly and predictably under the planning act."
'These are my constituents too'
Myers said he doesn't think the project needs additional oversight in the form of MacFarlane's meeting.
"After I got the letter, I sought out legal advice to see what path we could chart to make sure the town not only felt that they were supported, but... have the room to operate without having to stickhandle a backbench MLA," Myers told CBC News on Tuesday.
"This is all well inside the governance framework that is set up by the provincial government so, you know, we don't feel like it needs extra oversight at this point, but for some reason Matt MacFarlane does."
IRAC's public hearing is scheduled for May 13.
In the meantime, MacFarlane said he doesn't see what's wrong with setting up a meeting with his constituents on a topic of public interest.
"This is an opportunity for people to speak on both sides of the issue if they want, and my intention is to make note of what I'm hearing, what people say and I'll send those comments along to IRAC as part of their deliberation process," he said.
This repeated pattern is deeply troubling.— Randy Ahearn, Borden-Carleton mayor
"I recognize they're a part of the town, but these are my constituents too, and they reach out to me and they... want to know what they can do to have their voices heard."
Ahearn said this isn't the first time MacFarlane has hosted a public meeting about an upcoming project in the town.
"A similar situation occurred during discussions around the Fabrication Yard Project. This repeated pattern is deeply troubling," he wrote in his letter to Myers.
For his part, MacFarlane said he wants to meet with town officials before the public meeting.
"I continue to communicate regularly with the town and their new CAO," he said. "If we can get a chance to get together before the public meeting, great. I'm hoping we can."
Statement sent from town
CBC News asked for an interview with Ahearn about his letter.
He was not available Wednesday, but the town sent a statement.
"The matter in question is currently before the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC), and it is essential that the established regulatory and planning process is respected and followed. It would be inappropriate for members of council to comment on an application that is currently being processed by IRAC," the statement reads.
"In the interest of due process of integrity, we trust that all parties — including the MLA in question — will allow the IRAC process and the town's planning framework to proceed without undue influence or parallel initiatives."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Wayne Thibodeau