{"id":774,"date":"2016-03-03T14:45:12","date_gmt":"2016-03-03T14:45:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/projects.upei.ca\/iis\/?page_id=774"},"modified":"2016-03-03T14:45:12","modified_gmt":"2016-03-03T14:45:12","slug":"geography-of-local-governance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/projects.upei.ca\/testforneal\/events\/public-symposia\/geography-of-local-governance\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Symposium: The Geography of Local Governance (2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Geography of Local Governance on Prince Edward Island: A Public Symposium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

February 25, 2016 | 7 p.m. <\/strong>
MacKinnon Auditorium, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI Campus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The topic of local governance was the focal point of a Public Symposium, \u201cThe Geography of Governance,\u201d sponsored by UPEI\u2019s Institute of Island Studies, in conjunction with UPEI Research Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WATCH THE VIDEO<\/a>

Rapporteur’s remarks<\/a> \u2013 Dr. Jim Randall<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The reform of local government on the Island has been much discussed in recent years, especially since the release of the 2009 Thompson Report of the Commission on Land and Local Governance. At that time, the Island had 75 incorporated municipalities \u2013 many of them with just a few hundred people \u2013 and 70% of the province\u2019s territory had no local government at all.  The situation remains much the same today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Judge Thompson recommended that local government might be extended to cover the entire Island, and that the units be large enough to be effective and sustainable \u2013 that is, with a population of at least 4,000 each.  There\u2019s a perception among Islanders that reform is now in the air, and some communities have initiated discussions with their neighbours about joining together to form larger governance units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we assume that larger municipal units are on the horizon, and all of the Island could be included, then the question arises about the criteria to be used in deciding on new boundaries. Should cultural factors be paramount?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or \u201ccommunities of interest\u201d?  Or geographical factors?  Or environmental management \u2013 such as including a whole watershed within a municipality? Or some combination of these \u2013 and others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The evening was chaired by Dr. Philip Smith (UPEI Psychology). Dr. Jim Randall served as rapporteur for the evening. Click here<\/a> for his remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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KEY SPEAKER & PANELISTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The principal speaker was Diane Griffin<\/strong>, noted Island environmentalist, Stratford Town Councillor, and Vice President of the Federation of PEI Municipalities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

View Diane’s Presentation (Speaking notes)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Diane was joined by a Panel of three individuals representing various points of view: Dr. Ryan Gibson, Dr. Michael van den Heuvel, and Jeannita Bernard.
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Dr. Ryan Gibson<\/strong>, who is currently Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Institute of Island Studies, teaches in the Department of Geography, Saint Mary\u2019s University. He has a special interest in collaborative governance in rural regions. He addressed the question: How can the Provincial Government guide and oversee change while respecting and enhancing local democracy and authority?
View Ryan’s Presentation (Slides)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Michael van den Heuve<\/strong>l is the Director of the Canadian Rivers Institute based at UPEI.  He discussed case studies and the advantages of defining municipal boundaries based on watersheds to enhance resources for environmental management.

View Mike’s Presentation (Slides)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The third Panel member, Jeannita Bernard<\/strong>, of St. Philippe, is a well-known Island singer-songwriter and community leader in the areas of health, education and community development. She explored the idea of creating a new Evangeline regional government unit, which would include the present villages of Wellington and Abram\u2019s Village, plus 12 adjacent unincorporated communities.
View Jeannita’s Presentation (Speaking notes)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RETURN TO PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM PAGE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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