Cornwall signs up
Council passes unanimous resolution agreeing to join CADC board of directors
The Town of Cornwall is getting a seat on the newly revamped Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) board of directors.
Cornwall council passed a unanimous resolution at a recent public meeting after a lengthy discussion at a committee of council meeting.
“We’re hoping to join and reap some of the recognition and benefits for Cornwall and its residents,’’ Deputy Mayor Cory Stevenson said.
The resolution indicates the town will be able to withdraw from the corporation within two years and get its investment back from the province if it chooses to.
The City of Charlottetown passed a resolution at a special public meeting in November to appoint its two representatives, naming Terry Hennessey and Craig Walker. Stratford town council, meanwhile, appointed Michael Fleischmann to represent its interests on the board.
Stevenson said Cornwall hasn’t picked its representative yet but expects that process will follow the next regular public meeting of council on Dec. 18.
“I assume it will be shortly thereafter that we would be looking at our representative,’’ the deputy mayor said.
That would leave six seats to fill around the table, all of which will be designed by the provincial government. Recommendations for board members will be submitted to executive council sometime this month.
Then-premier Wade MacLauchlan announced in 2016 that the province was taking control of CADC, but current Premier Dennis King fulfilled an election promise and reversed that decision, prompting the current process of revamping the organization.
CADC’s mandate is to innovate, invest and provide expertise for projects, acting as a catalyst with the private sector, initiating development projects and facilitating urban renewal.
The new board is comprised of six people designated by the province, two by Charlottetown and one each from Stratford and Cornwall.
Cornwall Coun. Elaine Barnes had some initial concerns about joining CADC, saying the town needs a part-time development officer as well, something that is called for in the town’s organizational plan. However, Barnes added following more discussions between the province and Cornwall council she agreed to support a motion to join.
“The CADC is undergoing some changes,’’ Barnes said. “They have the resources to help connect larger investors into our communities which brings employment opportunities. Invesco in Stratford is a great example.’’
Stevenson said Cornwall was never reluctant to join. It was simply a matter of finding the time to focus on the CADC issue, getting a bit more educated about the changes and making sure council was getting the best possible arrangement for its residents.
“That’s how it came out,’’ he said, referring to various media stories. “I just think we had a lot of different projects on the go in Cornwall. We’re going through a pretty exciting time right now . . . with the new highway realignment, the new Main Street, the new Official Plan and the parks and rec plan so there’s lots happening in Cornwall.’’