Mount Pearl opts for mid tier on scale of new energy efficiency standards

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

The City of Mount Pearl has adopted a new mandatory residential energy efficiency requirement to be consistent with current building practices.

And while the City could phase in an increase to efficiency standards for one and two-family homes, Deputy Mayor Jim Locke said the recommended standard of Tier II of a five-tier rating system is a prudent move to start balancing efficiency and affordability considerations.

“(Tier II) is still energy efficient, I don’t want to get the message out there that Mount Pearl is sort of reneging on energy efficiency and climate initiatives, because we are not,” Locke said at council’s August 18 meeting. “We recognize in consultation with the builders that most of the Tier II requirements are already being undertaken, so by making that mandatory in the City of Mount Pearl we are not causing any undue hardship or any increased cost for potential home buyers. With that said, we have committed to review the requirements for Tier III in consultation with builders and the experts in the field and our staff and maybe we can move to adopt that in a year to come.”

The move comes after the Province adopted the 2025 National Building Code, which came into effect July 12, though municipalities retained authority to determine the residential energy efficiency requirements for one and two-family homes.

As a result, municipalities must independently determine whether to adopt energy efficiency standards and establish the applicable minimum compliance tier. The five-tier framework ranges from Tier 1 (base compliance) to Tier 5 (net-zero energy ready).

Council received correspondence and supporting material from the Canadian Home Builders' Association (CHBA) and provincial home builders' associations requesting towns and cities to pause implementation of portions of the 2025 codes due to concerns about affordability, implementation readiness, regulatory impacts, and housing supply.

City staff acknowledged the concerns but advised council current construction methods commonly incorporate Energy Star windows and doors, improved airtightness, high-efficiency heat recovery ventilators, and heat pump technologies that exceed minimum code requirements. It was also noted that new homes on the Avalon commonly reach Tier II levels and, at times, even Tier III.

“So that’s a good place to start with ambition to move forward as we understand the process more,” Director Scott Batt told council.

Planning staff sought feedback from other departments regarding the impacts, enforcement requirements, training needs, industry implications, and implementation considerations associated with adopting the standard.

Staff advised that a phased progression to Tier 3 should be considered once municipal procedures, staff capacity, builder competency, and implementation experience are established. Tiers IV and V were not recommended due to cost and implementation considerations.

Batt told council that the standards will apply to new builds and will not necessarily apply to renovations as in most cases they would be grandfathered under prior building codes. That said, Deputy Mayor Locke followed up specifically about whether the new standards will apply to basement apartments funded through the City’s housing accelerator grant program.

“I believe they would have to meet that as well, but it’s not an onerous standard to meet. Tier II is fairly basic with most modern homes,” Batt replied.

Batt said while the standards are now in effect, there is a notification and grace period for developers and contractors before rolling it out officially, with a potential timeline of late fall before it becomes mandatory.

“It would give us some time to get our forms and policies in order to check and make sure this is being achieved,” Batt said.

Council unanimously approved the energy efficiency standard as recommended by staff.

Commonwealth T’Railway crossing nearly ready to open

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Mount Pearl’s much anticipated new pedestrian crosswalk where the T’Railway crosses Commonwealth Avenue should be open soon.

Councillor Bill Antle said at the August 18 regular meeting that he gets asked about the crossing a lot and wanted to clarify whether it would be done by September 1.

“Hopefully we’ll have that opened up in the next couple weeks,” replied councillor Mark Rice as part of the public works report, where he indicated the project was 85 per cent complete.

The project includes a user-activated traffic signal that will allow pedestrians and cyclists to trigger a stop for traffic, a trail realignment slightly to the south to ensure it’s perpendicular to the roadway to improve sightlines, a raised median island in the centre of Commonwealth Avenue to help reduce vehicle speeds and providing a midway ‘refuge’ for pedestrians.

Vehicles heading in the outside lane on Commonwealth Avenue will be able to continue straight through the intersection at Park Avenue and Ruth Avenue. Westbound traffic on Ruth Avenue turning right onto Commonwealth will have to stop before entering the roadway, rather than yield.

The City has advised that some of the final components, including signal pole installation and pavement markings, will require temporary lane restrictions on Commonwealth in the coming weeks.

The City also announced a $60,000 grant from the Trans Canada Trail Association this past week, though that does not represent new money as the grant was included in the project budget of $317,500. Council awarded the construction contract to Dexter Construction back in 2025 at a cost of $298,418, HST included.

Construction started in 2025 and resumed this past June. When complete, it will create a connection across one of Mount Pearl's busiest roads, with 60 per cent of users crossing at this point.

The project includes a user-activated traffic signal that will allow pedestrians and cyclists to trigger a stop for traffic, a trail realignment slightly to the south to ensure it’s perpendicular to the roadway to improve sightlines, a raised median island in the centre of Commonwealth Avenue to help reduce vehicle speeds and providing a midway ‘refuge’ for pedestrians.

Lucas Price, 14, of the Big 3 squad drives hard to the hoop for a layup past defender Sacha Curtis, 13, of Team SSR during a 3 on 3 youth basketball tournament Aug. 10 at the Ruth Avenue basketball courts in Mount Pearl. Tyler Waugh Photo

City inks maintenance deals with electrical and plumbing contractors

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

The City of Mount Pearl awarded a pair of maintenance service contracts at its August 18 public meeting with a combined cost of $189,750, HST included.

Pro Circuit Electrical Inc. out of Conception Bay South was recommended by staff for a three-year contract for electrical maintenance as the lowest qualified bidder at $129,375 (HST included). The City has reserved the right to extend the contract by increments of one year for a period of up to no more than two years.

“Three to five years. It’s like a sentence, but it’s a tender,” quipped Mayor Dave Aker.

The contracted work is included in the facilities management operating budget. Some items will be paid through approved capital budgets for specific projects. This is a time and materials contract, meaning the City only pays for the actual work completed, including labour, materials, and services provided.

Bids closed on July 27. The other bidders included Allied Electrical Services, at $135,843, Notch Electrical of Paradise at $162,150, and and GIP Technical Solutions at $388,125.

The contract was awarded to Pro Circuit, as recommended, by a unanimous vote of council with an initial contract term from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2029.

King’s Plumbing and Heating of Mount Pearl was the only qualified bidder for a plumbing maintenance tender that closed July 28. Staff recommended signing a three-year contract at a price of $60,375 per year. Similar to the electrical maintenance contract, the City reserved the right to extend the contract by increments of one year for a period of up to no more than two years.

The contract with King’s Plumbing runs from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2029.

City moves to close unpermitted garage

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Mount Pearl council confirmed a cease and desist order issued for a residential property where an unauthorized automotive-related business had been operating.

The City issued the cease and desist letter to the property owner, a woman with a mailing address in Ferryland, stating the unpermitted commercial garage use at 20 Gadwall Place in Mount Pearl was to cease immediately.

“Failure to comply with this Order may result in the City making the necessary arrangements to carry out this Order through its officers, agents, employees, or contractors without further notice,” reads the order that was included as part of the August 18 meeting agenda package. “Any costs, expenses, or charges incurred by the City in carrying out this Order may be recovered against the person against whom the Order was made as a debt owed to the City.”

While the order was issued by a duly appointed representative of council, staff said it still needed to be confirmed by council. And it was confirmed by a unanimous vote.

Councillor Mark Rice said he had driven by at one point and there were five or six cars visible.

“If you want to operate a garage you go to a proper area and set it up,” Rice said. “We have several other areas as well where this is happening. It’s not allowed in a residential area.”

Mount Pearl initially issued a violation notice May 21 that stated the unauthorized activity was consistent with a commercial garage use in a residential medium density zone where it is not permitted. The notice also stated multiple residents raised concerns regarding increased traffic in the area related to the business.

Mayor Dave Aker said if you live in a residential area, you should be able to enjoy it as a residential area.

A permit has not been issued for the business, nor has the City received a permit application for this type of use.

The property owner has a right to appeal the order. An appeal, together with the appeal fee of $230, including HST, must be submitted to the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs within 14 days of the date that the order is received.

“If the appeal and fee are not submitted within this time limit, your right to appeal is considered to be forfeited,” reads the order.

Nice day on the water

It was a fun outing on Power’s Pond for Dianne Mitchinson and daughters Johanna, 10, and Rosalie, 7, as they took advantage of Mount Pearl’s free kayak and canoe program this month. Mitchinson, who is from Mount Pearl but now lives in Ottawa, was visiting with her family. The program, is based at Power’s Pond boat house, provides free use of double kayaks, kayaks and canoes on a first-come, first-served basis. Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh Photo

Commonwealth connection to Team Gushue roundabout opens

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Mount Pearl residents traveling to the Goulds and the Southern Shore – and vice versa - will have a more direct route available after the reopening of a section of Commonwealth Avenue that was closed as part of the Team Gushue Highway construction project.

The section was closed to complete a roundabout to connect the end of the Team Gushue Highway to Pitts Memorial Drive and Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive.

The City of Mount Pearl advised motorists that traffic patterns have changed on Brookfield Road as a result of the roundabout corridor and that it too will be making some operational adjustments.

The City plans to adjust the traffic signals at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue, Old Placentia Road, and Brookfield Road over the coming weeks and is warning motorists about possible traffic delays as a result of the operations.

The reason for the roundabout is to provide residents of the Southern Shore with an alternate and more efficient route to get to key services, including hospitals and post-secondary facilities. A roundabout was among three options explored by Harbourside Transportation Consultants in 2022 and was found to be more efficient than a cloverleaf or interchange.

The provincial Province and Ottawa paid for the $30 million project, which was completed by Bursey Excavating and Development.

The project also includes drainage culverts, an overpass and auxiliary access roads, as well as re-aligning a section of Brookfield Road.

While the roundabout corridor has reopened, work continues on the Team Gushue Highway extension with completion expected by the end of this year.

Councillors get an earful after e-scooter debate

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh

Talk of further regulation of e-bikes and e-scooters on Mount Pearl trails at the June 23 public council meeting – including a potential ban - resulted in some swift resident feedback for councillors. 

So much so that the topic was revisited during roundtable discussions at a public meeting last month, with councillors highlighting the delicate balance between ensuring public safety on the trails and the risk of limiting responsible use of e-transportation.

“It’s almost like a double-edged sword here. You’re having the e-bikes trying to be banned from the trails and on the other hand we have residents that use those e-bikes, so I know we’re into a very delicate situation,” said councillor Mark Rice, adding three residents had spoken to him, including one who stopped in front of his house to chat while on an e-bike. “I know there are some concerns and I just want to put that out there.”

The initial council discussion was prompted by resident complaints regarding high-speed use of e-bikes and e-scooters on the trails. It comes as the City is promoting “active and multi-modal transportation.” Staff were asked to review the regulations and the possibility of a ban.

Mayor Dave Aker noted the City has written Government Services Minister Mike Goosney asking to be part of the consultation process on the regulation of e-bikes and scooters, adding there was no mention of a ban.

Councillor Isabelle Fry, who sits on the board of Municipalities NL, said the group met with Goosney a short while ago and she believes legislation will have to be developed.

“One of the things I did take away from that is that he is very invested, his staff are very invested, and they want to do it right,” Fry said. ‘It’s kind of like when seatbelts first came out. Nobody wanted regulations on seatbelts – people cut them out of their cars – but now you get aboard your car and the first thing you do is put on your seatbelt. It’s just going to evolve over time but, again, it’s coming.”

Councillor Bill Antle, who owns a pedal-assisted e-bike – essentially a pedal bike with enough power to help people get up hills, but doesn’t have a throttle – said there is already a speed limit of 20km/h on city trails and regulations prohibiting use of motorized vehicles on the trails.

“The definition is if it doesn’t have pedals and it doesn’t move by itself, then it’s a motorized vehicle,” Antle said. “So, we already have the legislation in place because scooters are motorized vehicles that don’t have pedals and if they can move on their own it’s a motorized vehicle (and) they’re not allowed on our trails. Dirtbikes – electric dirtbikes – if they don’t have pedals are not allowed.”

Antle said on a recent trip down to Quidi Vidi on his pedal-assisted bike, he never went over 20km/h and he was passed by e-scooters and e-dirtbikes.

“They were flying,” he said. 

Antle said he isn’t interested in banning e-bikes or responsible users, though he could support more regulation.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke argued the issue isn’t about the vehicle itself but the responsible use of the vehicle in question.

“We may need regulations, we may need more communications and maybe we need to set up stops along the trail to promote (safe use),” Locke said. “They’re not going away,”

Council approves travel, professional development requests

By Tyler Waugh, The Pearl/Local Journalism Initiative

Mount Pearl council approved several items during the July 21 public meeting related to professional development and travel expenses for council members and senior staff.

Professional development requests for interim Deputy Mayor Jim Locke, CAO Cassie Rideout and councillors Isabelle Fry and Chelsea Lane to attend the Atlantic Mayors Congress taking place Sept. 11 - 13 in Truro, NS all got approval.

“This has to do with professional development and this is always important for us to move forward with our management and staff and council to go to other areas and learn more and bring it back to help our city,” said councillor Bill Antle.

Council also approved travel requests for Mayor Dave Aker and CAO Rideout to attend the Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Urban Municipalities Committee (UMC) meeting taking place August 28-29 in Bay Roberts.

“There’s a lot of travel on the go this month, I guess,” said Antle in presenting the agenda items.

The last professional development request was for recreation and community safety director Jason Collins to attend the Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA) Summit 2026 Conference that took place Aug. 8 – 12 in Toronto, ON.

“This conference has a strong focus on corporate event planning. The skills and strategies shared at this summit will directly support the efforts to attract, market, and deliver successful events that maximize the use of the facilities and enhance community impact,” read an administrative summary in the July 21 agenda. “These sessions will provide actionable insights into trends, audience development, sponsorship, and event experience design that can be adapted to the City’s municipal and community focused environment.”

Council voted unanimously to approve all the professional development and travel requests. The specific costs for each approval were not provided.

Knights, knaves and damsels ready to set siege to St. David's Park

By Tyler Waugh, The Pearl/Local Journalism Initiative

Mount Pearl will be resplendent with kings and queens, knights and squires, wizards and blacksmiths, maybe even a pirate or two, as the 5th Annual Renaissance Festival Newfoundland rolls out later this month.

It’s all the brainchild of Darren Hann, a longtime attendee of renaissance fairs on the mainland who wanted to bring some of that medieval magic back to the Rock.

“It’s a great atmosphere. I got started getting a bunch of different groups together like Epoch on the Rock, they are a live action role playing (LARP) group here, and we put the first festival together,” Hann said. “It’s been well received and we are looking forward to another great time this year.”

Attendees are encouraged to dress up for the occasion. “You don’t really have to, it’s not mandatory, but it’s part of the experience and you’ll see all sorts of people as knights, fairies, kings and queens,” said Hann. “It’s a welcoming, family-fun atmosphere.”

Epoch on the Rock will once again be featured as entertainers with their live action role playing on the mainstage and there will be a Queen’s Tea featuring tea and crumpets on both days.

There will also be several period-inspired competitions from a homemade catapult contest to a heavy hammer challenge, where participants attempt to hold it up for as long as they can. This year there is also a Pirate Keg Toss on both Saturday and Sunday where participants will toss a rum keg to a set point and then back to the start.

The festival king will be on hand to knight attendees willing to enter his service. For the first time ever, that honour will also be open to furry friends of all kinds.

“Yes, we’ve had requests the past two years to see if they could knight pets, so this year will be our first knighting of the beasts,” Hann said.

Back again is the ‘Shire,’ an artisans working village that will include a cooper who crafts barrels, a leather maker, carpenters, a butter churner as well as a booth with representatives from the Newfoundland Boat Building Museum. The historical artisans will be selling their wares while showing off their crafts.

“They are all handmade items, really authentic and true to the period,” Hann said.

The festival ran for its first three years out of Paradise Park but was forced to switch venues due to the 2025 Canada Summer Games needing that space, so it landed at St. David’s Park in Mount Pearl last year.

Hann said the new venue created such a great layout that it was decided to return to Mount Pearl again this year.

“Paradise was great, nothing against them,” he said.

The festival runs Aug. 23-24 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., with August 23 being Fairy Day.