Stoyles says she will continue to fight for the individual

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Public worries about the deficit aside, Mount Pearl North Liberal candidate Lucy Stoyles says the government will always find money for what needs to be done.

The longtime Mount Pearl councillor, who made a successful transition to provincial politics in 2021, is defending her seat against the PC Party candidate she unseated at that time, farmer and businessman Jim Lester.

“It’s like when the fires hit,” said Stoyles. “We always find money for emergencies and when things happen and in crisis situations. If something needs to be done, we have to spend the money and do it.”

But Stoyles maintained the Liberal government acts conservatively by only spending what is necessary. “No government wants to waste any money,” she said. “We all want to do what’s better for the people.”

Stoyles said she has read the proposed new deal between Newfoundland and Hydro Quebec on Churchill Falls and Gull Island and allowed the province will not make the same mistakes of the past.

“We have experts,” Stoyles said. “I’m listening to the experts. Is it a good deal? I’m being told by the experts it’s a good deal, it’s the best deal for this province. We’ve been briefed. Before the deal was announced, (NL Hydro CEO) Jennifer Williams and her team came in and met with a bunch of us at the Confederation building.”

As for health care, Stoyles admitted it went downhill after the pandemic, but said it has improved in the past year or so. She cited an increase of doctors as a factor in the improvement.

“Every single doctor that went through university here in this province has been offered a job,” she said. “And every single nurse that has gone through the system here has been offered a job,” she added, referring to a promise the government made last year.

Stoyles said people don’t realize that bringing doctors into Newfoundland and Labrador costs more than doing so in any other province, but health care has to be looked after.

“I always say your health is your wealth,” Stoyles said. “And if you haven’t got your health, you don’t have anything. We need our people to be looked after.”

Stoyles said while some people do have to wait for medical care, those facing life or death health issues are seen promptly and well-cared for. New government clinics opening on Stavanger Drive and Topsail Road will help people whose issues can be addressed outside the emergency room, she added.

As for the federal and provincial government’s concerted campaign the last few years to bring in more immigrants, with the resulting effect in some people’s eyes that it has added to the unemployment rate for young Newfoundlanders, Stoyles noted Ottawa is trimming and re-evaluating some of those programs. She added that the fish plant in her hometown of Bay de Verde would not have workers without people coming from other countries to work there.

“No doubt we want our people, if they want a job, to have it first,” said Stoyles. “It’s like the Churchill Falls. When the jobs are going to happen if this deal goes through, we want the people in Newfoundland and Labrador to have the jobs first.”

Stoyles acknowledged the record immigration levels have impacted housing.

“Of course it has. How could it not?” she said. “We’ve had thousands of people in. That’s why they’ve (the two levels of government) been doing extra things. They’ve been putting extra money into it. We’ve put subsidies in place for people who were renting and that. So, we’ve been working on that.”

As for district specific issues, Stoyles said she has a strong record as MHA. “Even though I sit as a backbencher, I’ve been very proud of some of the stuff I’ve done,” she said.

Stoyles said she has helped many seniors get subsidies and helped delivered food hampers to people in need every month. She said she was responsible for changes to the Family Act, making it legal for common-law partners of a deceased person to apply for financial support from the deceased’s estate. Stoyles said she was also responsible for making changes to Bill 13, changing the Act for payday loans and lowering the borrowing rate from 28 per cent to 14 per cent. Stoyles added she was also active in ensuring the government moved forward with moose fencing.

“What’s important in my district is the people,” said Stoyles, describing herself as visible in the community and always available. “When people call me, I get back to them… I will fight for the individual… What’s important to people is what’s important to me.”

Lucy Stoyles

Health care, drug abuse, and homelessness need action, says Lester

By Mark Squibb

Jim Lester of Lester’s Farms is looking to reclaim the district of Mount Pearl North for the Progressive Conservatives.

“As a businessperson, and a generational business family, we know what it takes to adapt to a changing environment and enabling our business to survive and thrive, and I want to apply those characteristics to government,” said Lester.

Lester first ran provincially in 2015, in the neighbouring district of Mount Pearl – Southlands, but lost to then Liberal candidate, now Independent, Paul Lane. He made it into the House two years later though in Mount Pearl North by besting Liberal Jim Burton in a by-election to replace PC Steve Kent, who had resigned. Lester was re-elected in the general election of 2018, but fell two years later in the next general election to popular Mount Pearl councillor Lucy Stoyles of the Liberals. That race was so close – decided by a mere 109 votes – that Lester contested the result in court but was unsuccessful. All of which sets the stage for round two on October 14.

“One of the big focuses of our platform is healthcare,” said Lester. “And any investment that creates a positive impact on healthcare is a long-term savings in the government budget.”

The party has promised, amongst other things, to double MUN’s nurse practitioner program and hire locals rather than rely on travel nurses.

“Generally, it’s no reflection of individuals or facilities within healthcare but it’s more a reflection of management of healthcare,” said Lester of the state of healthcare.

As for the provincial deficit, the exact amount of which has become a subject of some debate, Lester said that it “appears to be approaching a billion dollars.”

Lester said the Liberal government’s decision to include decades worth of future revenue from a pending lawsuit against tobacco companies in this year’s budget was a dirty trick.

“In accounting matters, it was legit to do that, but it was not fair to present that to the public as part of the general revenue,” said Lester.

As for the Churchill Falls deal, Lester likened the memorandum of understanding to a sales brochure.

“It’s all about the sale of electricity, the sale of a resource, that we should be using to attract businesses here to Newfoudnland and Labrador,” said Lester. “So, in my opinion, the MOU is not about money, it’s about control. We are looking to provide Quebec with control over our economy through this deal by the control of our hydro development.”

Asked about immigration, Lester said the Province needs to “totally reevaluate” immigration policies.

“We’ve overloaded our infrastructure with an influx of people,” said Lester. “Our infrastructure was already pretty much to the max when it comes to housing and healthcare, even simple things like transportation… We need to realize that the lifestyle and our standard of living that we have is going to be eroded if we don’t maintain a firm hold of how our infrastructure is used and how our culture is preserved. I’m not against immigration, because most of us are immigrants, or are descendants of immigrants – I am – but we have to look at people coming to this country and to this province who bring economic value.”

Community safety, said Lester, is also top of mind for himself and for residents.

“I’ve lived here just about all my live, with the exception of a brief stay in PEI as a child, and I have never, ever seen the degradation of society as we know it now, with the amount of homelessness and presence of drugs in our streets and our parks and schools and public washrooms,” said Lester.

More investment needs to be made into rehabilitation programs, he argued.

“We need to do better as a society to help people get through rough patches in their life and return to being contributing members of society,” said Lester.

Jim Lester

Locke looking to stretch term as Mount Pearl’s longest serving incumbent

By Mark Squibb

Long serving Mount Pearl councillor Jim Locke is once again seeking re-election.

Locke was first elected during a 2007 by-election and has served four consecutive terms since, making him the city’s longest serving incumbent beating Mayor Dave Aker, who was acclaimed earlier this month, by two years for that distinction.

“When I was first approached about running, I had never given it any consideration, really,” said Locke. “But a friend reached out and said this was something I should consider. I spoke with my wife and family and some other friends and co-workers, and they gave me the budge and the support, and here I am. It’s amazing how quickly the time has passed. One term has rolled into another. But it’s been a huge and wonderful learning experience, and we’ve seen some great initiatives brought to the city. And that’s what motivates me. I grew up in Mount Pearl. I benefitted from the volunteerism in Mount Pearl, and from the services and programs and sports and kindness and mentorship of coaches and hockey moms and hockey dads. I just love living in Mount Pearl and giving back to the residents and the youth.”

Locke said it’s his passion for the community that has made him put his name forward time and time again.

“I want to make Mount Pearl inclusive and accessible and safe,” said Locke. “I want to make Mount Pearl a community that people are proud to call home.”

This campaign he is focusing on speeding complaints, traffic safety, lack of affordable housing, and community safety, adding council has implemented policies to address those issues.

“There are still a few projects I would like to see come to fruition,” added Locke. “One is the development of our Northland area – the new housing and business development area along Kenmount Road and Wyatt Boulevard. That’s one. And also, I’m a member of the Community Safety and Well Being Committee, and we just received notice during our last meeting for this term of the draft report of our Community Safety and Well Being Plan. So, I’m looking forward to that being implemented later in the fall.”

Locke and his wife Janice boast two sons, James and Jonathon, and three grandchildren, James, Addison, and Benjamin.

A retired teacher who spent much of his teaching career at Mount Pearl Senior High School, Locke was awarded the Newfoundland and Labrador Premier's Award for Teaching Innovation in 2022, and holds a number of other accolades and awards, including a King Charles III Coronation Medal, which he received this year. He has coached minor hockey teams in Mount Pearl for over 20 years and has won several Coach of the Year awards.

Outside council, Locke has served on both the Mount Pearl Junior Blades Board of Directors and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Board of Directors.

“It’s a pleasure to work on council and sit around the table with other colleagues, residents of Mount Pearl who also have a passion for improving our city,” said Locke. “But I’d also like to mention the staff that we have in the City of Mount Pearl that are so dedicated.”

See thepearlnews.ca for more coverage of Mount Pearl candidates in this election.

Jim Locke

Rice selling can-do approach

By Mark Squibb

Mark Rice is hoping his down to earth, shirt sleeves up style of helping out has endeared him enough with voters to earn their support again when they head to the polls in Mount Pearl’s city election October 2.

Rice, who originally hails from Red Head Cove, has called Mount Pearl home for the last 40 years. He and his wife Carolyn have raised three children, Sydney, Victoria, and Mackenzie, in Mount Pearl.

Rice is a retired facilities infrastructure manager at St. Patrick’s Mery Home. He has volunteered with the Janeway Telethon for 25 years.

He plays rec hockey with the city’s men’s recreation league three times a week, and with that league helped organize the Toonie for Turkeys fundraiser. He is the Vice President of the First United Church Men’s Club, a member of the Waterford Valley Rotary Club and Mount Pearl Knights of Columbus. He has coached a number of volleyball and soccer teams over the years, and sat on a number of boards and committees.

“I’m a doer,” said Rice. “I’m not a person who sits back in the wings and waits for other people to do things. That’s why I’m involved in so many community groups, that’s why I volunteer… As a councillor, people rely on me. I get personal phone calls from residents, who have had an issue or problem for 10 or 20 years, and I’ll go and sit down and have a coffee or tea with them. I want to be a strong voice for those people. And the businesses in the city need to stay in the City of Mount Pearl, not leave and go to Paradise or another municipality. So, we need to work with businesses. I want to be a voice for the City of Mount Pearl, and not just for the residents, but the businesses. The bottom line for me is that Mount Pearl comes first.”

Rice would like Mount Pearl, Paradise, and Conception Bay South to petition government for a secondary source of water.

“It’s imperative that we work together,” said Rice. “If we have to rely on our tax base, our municipalities cannot do this alone.”

He also wants to see Mount Pearl expand its boundaries by purchasing land.

Rice said he would advocate for more noise reducing fences in areas of the city where commercial developments border on residential areas, a greater RNC presence in the community, more affordable housing, and lighting around Power’s Pond and Branscombe Pond.

“My record speaks for itself,” said Rice. “I’ve been involved in the community from day one. I’ve volunteered… I’m a leader in the community, not a follower. I’m heart and soul into everything I do. My wife is exactly like me, my kids are exactly like me… That’s the way I have been, and that’s the way I’m going to be going forward.”

Mark Rice

Three newcomers and a second bidder among those vying for seats in Mount Pearl

By Mark Squibb

A City employee who has taken a leave of absence to campaign is among a group of first-time candidates hoping to find a seat on Mount Pearl council.

Don Kelly has lived in his Mount Pearl his entire life and with wife Wendy raised two children there.

The Civil Engineering Technology Diploma graduate from College of the North Atlantic has worked as a City Inspector for the last 14 years.

“Working with the City has given me great insight into the things I would have to deal with as a councillor, like the National Building Code, Provincial Building Regulations, and the City of Mount Pearl’s Municipal Plan, which is being revised,” said Kelly. “I’m also very familiar with the City’s building regulations and development regulations.”

Kelly said if it comes to it, he’s ready to retire and become a full-time councillor. He is campaigning on the promise of improved infrastructure and roads, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.

“I want to help inspire change, influence policy and ensure the City continues to grow,” he said.

Kelly is chairman of the Mount Pearl Sport Alliance awards committee, a member of the Health Care Foundation Golf Tournament fund raising committee, member and past president of the Royal St. John’s Regatta Committee, and chairman of the Royal St John’s Regatta Hall of Fame Committee. He is also an off-ice official for the Quebec Major Junior League and was a Venue Team Lead for the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

“I’ve always given, and I want to give more,” said Kelly. “It’s a passion of mine to run for council. I guarantee that if you have an issue and you come to me, I’ll discuss it with you, I’ll understand your issue from your perspective, and I’ll bring those concerns forward and get back to you with any solutions that we can. I will be quite transparent and explain to you if it can be done or can’t be done.”

Another political newcomer is Mike Peach.

“I’ve had some friends tell me I should try going into politics, and I said, ‘I don’t know if I could be successful at that,’” said Peach. “Because I have an autism diagnosis, I thought, ‘No way is anyone going to elect an autistic guy for anything.’”

But, said Peach, his friends continued to encourage him, and while at the Summit Centre one day he saw an advertisement for the Make Your Mark campaign, which encouraged folks to put their name forward for council.

“So, I thought, ‘Okay, why not?’” said Peach. “’Let’s see how it goes.’”

Peach is running to represent groups that he feels have been underrepresented at a municipal level.

“My platform is based on raising awareness of neurodiversity, and in general it extends to wanting to provide better representation for underrepresented and marginalized groups,” said Peach. “I want to normalise autistic and neurodivergent people in public office, or at the very least running for public office, and getting their name out there and giving some reassurance or some hope to kids, or to their parents, that might be struggling.”

Peach is studying education at Memorial University and has been tutoring other students for the last 15 years.

“My social and educational advocacy, and getting the message and the awareness out there is the main objective for my running, and I'll continue to do it regardless of the outcome of the election,” said Peach. “If people like that message and want to support it with their vote, or if I can bring up an issue that's important to them but they haven't seen represented in local political discourse, I'm giving them that option… I would hope that people, when selecting the council members they want to vote for, even if it’s not me, think about who would make the best, most well-rounded council.”

Also on the ballot is newcomer Bailey Rempel.

Rempel, who hails from Saskatchewan, has worked for a number of construction companies over the years and is the Eastern Canada district manager of Peter Kiewit & Sons.

“Mount Pearl is our home — we work here, my kids go to school here, we play sports here… and you really start to take an interest in your home,” she said of her decision to run.

A major concern Rempel would like to see addressed is community safety.

Rempel’s husband, Shem Evans, was one of two victims of random violence by youths last year.

He was attacked by a youth armed with a baseball bat as he was picking their two daughters up from school at Morris Academy.

Council has since drafted a community safety plan that is expected to be released soon.

Rempel said it’s time to put that plan to work.

“We are hearing at the doors that people are worried about their safety still,” said Rempel. “Nothing has changed. And for myself, this is not just a campaign slogan. We need to look at this issue and tackle it from multiple sides. And it can’t get pushed down the road. It needs to happen now.”

Traffic congestion and road safety are another major concern.

“I’m fighting the same intersections every day as everyone else,” said Rempel. “There’s got to be a better way, and maybe I can help. I come from a construction background and so I’m used to looking at pretty complex issues and coming up with an action plan and quickly working to resolve issues, and I’m hoping I can bring that to council.”

When not working or campaigning, Rempel said she’s spending time outside with her family.

“I have a track record of speaking up for people and getting things done,” said Rempel. “Mount Pearl residents are ready for a little bit of a change. Maybe getting someone in new that hasn’t been elected once, twice, or even more, is going to bring in a new perspective, or a new zest for getting things done. Once people get talking to me and hear about my work history, there’s a pretty good response.”

Candidate Susan Pearcey ran in the 2021 election, narrowly missing a spot on council.

“Coming so close I definitely wanted to give it another try,” said Pearcey, arguing that council could benefit from having younger voices around the table.

Through both her career and her volunteer work, Pearcey is especially tuned into the City’s student population.

She has taught at O’Donel High School since 2006 and has held several roles with Mount Pearl Minor Hockey over the years, including team manager, Special Events Director, and elected member of the board of directors. Through Mount Pearl Minor Hockey she created the Big Give Food Drive, which raises about $12,000 annually for local food banks. She has also served on the Frosty Festival Board of Directors and Newton and O’Donel school councils and is the City Liaison for the Focus on Youth Awards.

She said that every year she sees students graduate and then have to leave Mount Pearl to pursue their work. She would like to see more industries, such as the tech industry, encouraged to set up shop in Mount Pearl.

“I think there needs to be a voice on council who is tuned in to the younger generation,” said Pearcey. “We need the young people to stay in Mount Pearl.”

While out on the campaign trail, she said residents have expressed concerns about traffic and speeding, and that some younger families have said that parks and playgrounds are not as well maintained as they could be. Graffiti, added Pearcey, continues to be a problem in community spaces.

The other candidates running for Mount Pearl council – Bill Antle, Isabelle Fry, Nicole Kieley, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, Mark Rice and Wanda Tiller – were all profiled in previous editions of The Pearl News and The Shoreline.

Susan Pearcey

Bailey Rempel

Don Kelly

Mike Peach

City awards big contracts to beef up its website

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is redesigning it’s website to make it more user friendly — particularly as it relates to development permits.

During the September 2 meeting, council awarded two digital service contracts related to the new website with “Permitting” and “Work Order” modules awarded to Catalis Technologies, and the Recreation Management section of the website to Amelia Technologies, a partner of Catalis Technologies, for a total of $320,322.

The City received 15 bids.

“This is something people don’t see behind the scenes, but it’s going to have a great impact on the look and feel of our website,” said Mayor Dave Aker, explaining the work relates more to the backend of the website than the pages you see when you log in.

Chief Administrative Officer Cassie Rideout said she was excited to see the project come to fruition, and pointed out the project was funded in part by the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

“This is a continuation of two things, it’s a continuation of the ‘Digital Mount Pearl’ project we started in 2019 to revitalize and modernize our systems on the back end, and second, a continuation of that funding under HAF in relation to permitting and planning software,” said Rideout. “We made a commitment under HAF in line with increased (housing) development and intensification earlier this year to support making it easier to build homes and develop in Mount Pearl, and the permitting and planning software is going to do just that.”

The City also received 40 applications in response to a request for proposals for website redevelopment, a response Aker called “outstanding.” Staff recommended awarding the project to Upanup Studios Inc., in the bid amount of $129,064.

“Like a lot of the assets we have with the City of Mount Pearl, eventually they become obsolete or get used and wear down,” said Aker.

Director of Corporate Services Janie Mullins said the goal is to make the new website more user friendly and easier to navigate.

Both motions were approved unanimously.

Andrew Baker at Canada Games

Andrew Baker of Mount Pearl helped Newfoundland and Labrador make history at the Canada Games last month scoring this province’s first ever goal in box lacrosse at the games. Issac Hawkins scored Newfoundland’s second goal. Lacrosse was played at the Paradise Double Ice Complex. Newfoundland lost its opening match 18-2 against New Brunswick and went winless through four games. Photo by Tianna Dip

Mount Pearl hopeful for funds to kickstart Kenmount Hill development

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl has submitted a funding application for $5.8 million to the provincial government for a portion of the province’s share of the federal government’s Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for upgrades to Holden Street as part of the larger Kenmount Hill development.

“Holden Street upgrading consists of removal and replacement of linear assets including sanitary and storm sewer systems; the water distribution system; individual service lines up to the limits of the street right-of-way; asphalt, curb, gutter and sidewalk; and property reinstatement on Holden Street from the intersection with Wyatt Boulevard to the easement with Ingerman Street to Farrell Drive,” said councillor Bill Antle. “The size of new sanitary and storm sewers and water mains will be increased to provide additional capacity and reliability to service both existing residents and future development in the Kenmount Hill area.”

Antle asked council to move forward with the funding application, and council approved that motion unanimously.

Mayor Dave Aker added that Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Elvis Loveless had pledged provincial government support for the project.

Kieley hoping for another term in Mount Pearl

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley says her first term on council was a learning experience and she is eager to serve again. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley has put her name forward for re-election ending speculation she might run provincially.

“I am ready for four more years of continued, dedicated service as a council person, and there is a lot to still be done,” said Kieley. “We’ve developed an incredible strategic plan, and accessibility plan, and transportation plan, but our plans are only as good as the people that are developing them and moving them forward and actioning them, and for that reason I want to continue in my role and be around that table.”

Kieley, who works as a senior consultant with the provincial government, was elected in 2021, garnering a greater share of votes than any of the other 11 candidates on the ballot.

In May 2023, she was struck and pinned by a vehicle outside a Shoppers Drug Mart in St. John’s. Following the accident, her right leg was amputated below the knee. One year to the date of the horrific accident, Kieley made a triumphant return to Mount Pearl council chamber. The fortitude she displayed during the ordeal led some to see her as a possible star provincial or federal candidate. Kieley sought the federal Liberal nomination in Cape Spear Riding, but lost to the political machine of former provincial MHA Tom Osborne, who came out of political retirement to run federally.

On her decision to seek re-election municipally, Kieley said she first had to consider her own personal well-being.

“This was not a decision I made lightly,” said Kieley. “It was coming from a real contemplation and assessment of where I was in my own personal recovery and also from a passion and desire to serve the community.”

Kieley said serving the community brings her joy, and that seeking re-election in 2025 felt right, despite the challenges.

“This fills my cup, it is my passion,” said Kieley. “I have so much more to give, and so many ways to serve, and I’m excited about it.”

Kieley said community safety has become a topic of concern following a number of violent assaults in November of 2024 that shocked the community and resulted in six youths being arrested.

Kieley herself has worked for two decades in the field of violence prevention, including a stint as Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre.

The deputy mayor said town halls and consultation sessions hosted in the aftermath of the assaults allowed residents to bring forward their concerns and experiences, and that while the police and judicial systems have important roles to play in preventing violence, seeds planted at the municipal level — such as Neighbour Watch and town halls, support for minority groups and youth engagement— also play a major role.

Improved, accessible transportation, said Kieley, is also a big concern for residents, as is the development of the Team Gushue highway, which is a positive thing for the City, but will create additional traffic concerns.

Kieley said the City’s new traffic plan allows citizens to report their concerns directly to staff, which she applauded.

She also expressed a commitment to improving essential services such as snow clearing and garbage collection, which she said Mount Pearl already excels at.

Kieley said she is proud of the work council accomplished over this last term.

“There’s been tremendous growth for Mount Pearl,” said Kieley. “We developed a strategic plan, we broke ground on the new community centre, we increased our capacity for different infrastructure north of Topsail Road, and we’ve really started to dig into transportation in a way that is looking at, not where we were, but where we want to be.”

Kieley allowed her first term on council was a learning experience. Her own disability, she added, has made her more aware of the challenges faced by others and the need to make Mount Pearl an accessible city for all.

“It’s community first for me, always, and you’re going to get that from me,” said Kieley. “The amount of strength, and perseverance that I have gone through on my own personal journey, you will see that at the table. If you are looking for a champion for diversity and inclusion, you have one here. If you want somebody that sees the value, and has experience, in nurturing and tending the things that are working in the City, like the things you see right in front of your house, like garbage collection and snow clearing, you have one here. It’s a combination of experience and vision for where we are going.”

Kieley said in her role as a municipal leader she has made many friends along the way who have assisted in her recovery. She is also excited to see new candidates put their names forward.

Regardless of which candidates you vote for, said Kieley, get out and vote.

“Please, please, please vote,” said Kieley. “If you want to see Mount Pearl grow and thrive, please vote... whether you’re voting for me or not, it’s so important to vote.”

Mount Pearl making progress on safety plan

By Mark Squibb

The City of Mount Pearl is continuing to work on developing a community safety plan.

The City hired Thinkwell Research + Strategy earlier this year to draft the plan following a series of violent attacks last year involving teenagers, and the company just finished a round of consultation sessions, with more sessions planned for the near future.

The sessions revolved around topics including disability and disability support organizations, general safety, mental health, addictions and homeless services, neighbourhood watch and crime prevention, senior safety, and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

Over 130 people expressed interest in the sessions. That’s in addition to the nearly 400 that responded to an earlier survey.

“We’re delighted to have such strong community participation,” said councillor Isabelle Fry, who brought forward the community safety update during council’s August 5 public meeting.

Once the next round of consultation sessions has ended, a draft plan will be developed based on community input. A final plan will be presented to the public following council approval.