Reinstate CADC, candidates say
Mayoral hopefuls all in agreement that province’s decision to take over development corporation was bad one
Charlottetown mayoral candidate Philip Brown says the municipal corporation should take the lead on economic development in the city.
Brown was a responding to a question at Wednesday’s Charlottetown Mayoral Debate on the situation around the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC).
Brown was joined on stage by the other four candidates — Cecil Villard, Kim Devine, Jamie Larkin and William McFadden.
In November 2016, the P.E.I. government announced it was taking control of CADC.
Two years have passed, and still there is no clear direction for economic development in the greater Charlottetown area.
“I’ve been pushing for a restructuring and reinstatement of CADC,’’ Brown said.
He said since 1974, CADC has done a lot for the city, pointing to the Victoria Park boardwalk, Charlottetown Event Grounds, Delta Hotel convention centre and development on Great George Street.
“We have always looked at it as an economic generator for the city,’’ Brown said, adding that if elected mayor he will see to it that CADC is reinstated and focused on Charlottetown alone.
Villard agreed that CADC played a vital role, pointing out that it generated millions of dollars from ACOA.
“It was a really bad decision to eliminate CADC,’’ Villard said. “We’re all in agreement that we need an independent economic agency.’’
Brown interjected that CADC has come out of 40 years in business “scandal free’’.
Villard pointed out that there is no need to march down to the premier’s office to bargain over the issue because he, as mayor, would have the authority to do it.
However, Brown said he has to keep in mind that 80 per cent of CADC’s assets are owned by the province.
Brown also pointed out that CADC brought in Invesco, explaining that the average age of employees there is 28 so it speaks to the city’s priority of youth retention.
Devine agreed that CADC has done some tremendous work.
“They did not require any government funding, and there was no political interference and they had the confidence of developers,’’ Devine said. “Let’s think carefully before we get rid of something that has shaped this city.’’ Larkin was on board as well. “It’s absolutely important there is an independent, transparent organization,’’ Larkin said.
“You need to remember, at the end of the day, it’s the province doing away with it,’’ Villard said.
“Let’s hope the premier agrees with us,’’ Brown said. “Reinstate it or give us a new organization.’’