Mount Pearl dissects factors for low voter turnout in 2025

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pearl

Mount Pearl council believes several factors under provincial control contributed to ‘disheartening’ voter turnout numbers in the October 2025 municipal election.

The City’s municipal election report was presented at the May 26 public meeting and outlined only 5,327 residents cast votes. That’s just 28 per cent of eligible voters, down from 6,999 votes cast in 2021, or some 40 per cent of voters.

Councillor Jim Locke told his colleagues that a number of factors contributed to the drop, including the voter list provided by the Province.

“It was inaccurate. We know the number of people that were added to the voter list, but there didn’t seem to be any evidence that people were taken off the voter list – those that moved from the city and those who are deceased,” he said. “And of course that’ll impact the voter turnout. If there were 400 or 500 people on that list that shouldn’t have been on that list that would drive up our voter turnout from 28 per cent to higher.”

The municipal election was held October 2, while a provincial election was called September 15 and held October 14 – creating confusion as political campaigns and election officials from two different levels of government competed for attention.

Locke, the longest-serving council member, pointed out this wasn’t the first time during his tenure when provincial and federal elections overlapped with municipal ones, resulting in voter fatigue and proving a disservice to the municipal election process.

“I’d like to communicate to our provincial counterparts the importance of having a big enough buffer between (elections) because, in my humble opinion, municipal council and politics, this is where the rubber hits the road,” Locke said. “I would suggest (municipal) is an important election where we need people’s input because it more directly impacts their day-to-day life.”

Locke added he would also like to see online voting explored and see more options for advance voting similar to provincial and federal elections.

“We need to engage our electorate to get the vote count up,” said the councillor.

Lower than usual voter turnout was seen in municipalities across the province, the report stated, noting that comparable communities like Paradise, which saw a 28.2 per cent turnout, Conception Bay South a 30.9 percent draw, and Corner Brook a 19.6 per cent turnout, were also impacted.

Councillor Bill Antle presented the report at council and said there were several deficiencies in the Municipal Elections Act (2001). As a result, council submitted a resolution to Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) to ask the provincial government to make legislative improvements.

The resolution was adopted during the MNL’s November meeting, and at the recent MNL symposium, there was a session hosted by the Department of Municipal Affairs that kicked off a review of the Municipal Elections Act.

“The City of Mount Pearl is encouraged to see both MNL and the department respond promptly to these concerns and begin this important work,” Antle said. “This includes enhanced accessibility for municipal elections, strengthening protections for candidate’s privacy and addressing other identified concerns through the view of the Act in consultation with MNL and municipalities across the province.”

Council adopted the report, which outlined 17 recommendations – seven that have been either fully or partially implemented, seven new ones, one standing recommendation and two items that are no longer recommended.

Mayor Dave Aker pointed out that adopting the municipal election report does not necessarily mean the recommendations will be acted upon. Specific actions would have to come back to council for adoption.

Mount Pearl among many awaiting municipal plan updates

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Pearl

Progress is being made on the City of Mount Pearl’s municipal plan update, says Mayor Dave Aker, but it’s been with the Province for around 18 months and he’s eager to learn when it will be back to the City for implementation.

Operating without an updated plan that reflects modern realities hinders Mount Pearl’s goals about density and developing the community, he said. “Because it’s got to come back here for adoption and then there has to be another hearing, I think, in order for it to be written into law. And listen, it’s hurting us,” said Aker.

Aker, in response to a question from councillor Mark Rice during a roundtable discussion at the May 26 public meeting, said the technical part of the update is pretty much finished, noting he spoke with Municipal Affairs Minister Chris Tibbs about it at the recent Municipal NL symposium.

Scott Batt, the City’s director of planning, told council there is ongoing dialogue with the Province on different items, but the approval is out of the City’s hands for now.

“We’ll have to wait and see when we receive final approval,” Batt said.

Mount Pearl submitted its plan in January 2025. Other municipalities on the Avalon are also awaiting approval from the Province, including Bay Bulls, which submitted its plan in early 2023, as well as Petty Harbour and CBS.

Sherri Breen, the media relations manager for Municipal Affairs, said that as of May 29, there are 48 new municipal plans and sets of development regulations in various stages of review and four have been completed this year. There are also 66 municipal plans and sets of amendments predating the new ones still with the department at various stages, with 25 completed since January.

“There are a number of factors that will contribute to the timeline for review, including the complexity of the amendments and the number of full reviews or amendments being requested,” Breen said.

She added the department has all six planning staff positions filled.

“A full plan review for a new municipal plan and development regulations will be a longer process than an amendment to a municipal plan, development regulations, or a stand-alone amendment to development regulations,” she said.

“For instance, a full plan and development regulation could take a year or more. A stand-alone amendment to development regulations could take several weeks to months. As such, it is difficult to place a timeline, as it may vary depending on the type of review and the municipality.”

Breen said after the provincial review, next steps include a council resolution to adopt the plan, a public hearing with a commissioner, a council resolution to approve it, a final provincial review and registration through the Department of Municipal Affairs and, finally, a public notice in the Newfoundland and Labrador Gazette.

Mount Pearl business gets tariff relief funds

By Tyler Waugh

A Mount Pearl developer and manufacturer of advanced wireless net monitoring, gear finding and target detection systems for fishing vessels has received $375,000 from a federal fund aimed at alleviating a business downturn because of U.S. tariffs.

Notus Electronics Ltd., said it will use the money to modernize and showcase its wireless marine monitoring products to customers, grow sales in domestic and international markets, and explore opportunities in Europe and Southeast Asia, while supporting jobs, strengthening global partnerships, and enhancing the company's competitiveness.
"The global marketplace is changing rapidly, but we see tremendous opportunities through diversification of markets, products and supply chains," said Francis Parrott, marketing manager of Notus, adding the funds will help accelerate the company's growth strategy.
The funds come from a total of $110 million controlled by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) as part of the tariff response program, which is slated to provide $1.5 billion over three years to help Canadian business respond to global trade pressures by strengthening productivity and building long-term competitiveness.
"Newfoundland and Labrador-based businesses, like Notus Electronics, are developing innovative technologies, finding new ways to grow, and helping solve challenges around the world,” said Cape Spear MP Tom Osborne. “By supporting local companies through extraordinary times, we're investing in strong local businesses, good jobs, and resilient communities.”

City awards material inspection contract

By Tyler Waugh

Mount Pearl City Council awarded a contract for material testing and inspection services to GEMTEC Consulting Engineers and Scientists Limited during its May 26 regular meeting.
A request for the 2026-2028 standing offer closed on April 30 and the city received seven submissions. Councillor Mark Rice reported at the meeting that six of the seven bidders submitted compliant proposals, of which four met the minimum technical requirements.

Staff recommended council award the contact to the highest-ranked respondent, GEMTEC, in the amount of $171,351.73, HST included.
“This standing offer provides a cost-effective approach for city projects,” Rice said, adding that costs will be allocated to their respective project budgets. “Work to be performed consists of materials and compaction testing of asphalt, concrete, granular materials, and subgrade to ensure compliance with the Municipal Water, Sewer and Roads Master Construction Specifications and the City’s standards.”
The motion passed unanimously.

Commonwealth lane re-opening delayed again

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A stretch of Commonwealth Avenue closed since November 2025 due to work on a private underground asset, has seen its re-opening delayed again, much to the chagrin of city council.
A 140-metre section of the southbound curb side lane between the Whiteley Drive intersections was scheduled for an already delayed re-opening in late May. However, ongoing engineering challenges amid road structure concerns has pushed the anticipated opening date to July 2026, despite the city’s ongoing requests for an accelerated timeline for reopening.
“The city recognizes and shares the frustration of residents and commuters and is committed to resolving the issue and restoring full access to Commonwealth Avenue as soon as possible,” councillor Mark Rice reported during a roundtable discussion at the May 26 regular council meeting. “The issue originated in December 2025 when Bell conducted work on an underground concrete chamber at this location. During a routine city inspection concerns were identified about the structural integrity of the chamber roof.”
Rice reported that Bell then retained a third-party structural engineering firm to carry out further inspections and testing and it was determined in February 2026 that the chamber roof did not meet the required load capacity under the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code.
Bell was required to revise its approach and submit updated engineering drawings to the city.
“There has been a lot of back and forth between Bell and the city on this one,” Rice said, adding that factors like additional engineering work and weather conditions contributed to the delays.
“The city’s priority right now remains ensuring that the work is to be completed safely and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.”
Bell has ultimately decided to shift its approach from an underground solution to an above-ground cable transfer.

Engineering director Scott Batt told council that Bell stated in the past week that it is looking to implement a temporary steel plate solution at the site to hopefully open the roadway sooner than the final project completion date.
Mayor Dave Aker said the fact that the company has closed a lane down for what has amounted to eight months, and is now considering a different approach, is totally unacceptable.
“It makes you wonder if they’d picked the right way in the first place would they have had this done back in January,” Aker said.
Rice said the city is not seeking any recourse or action against Bell at this time.
The City has maintained an ongoing notice about this work on mountpearl.ca. Updates have also been provided through Facebook, beginning with the initial notice in November, followed by updates in December and January.

Mount Pearl to get another Timmies

By Tyler Waugh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mount Pearl residents could soon see another spot to get their double-double fix, with a future drive-thru Tim Hortons on Kenmount Road getting a conditional green light from City council.
The secondary building will be adjacent to the gas station and convenience store already under development by Northbrook Construction, on behalf of Tim Horton’s, and located at 629-631 Kenmount Rd.
“That development is moving along quite handily,” said Mayor Dave Aker at the April 28 public meeting.
Council approved the proposed planned development of the secondary building for a drive-through use at that meeting and made a motion to enter into a development agreement with the property owner conditional upon the development meeting all requirements and conditions set forth by the City, Service NL, the St. John’s Regional Fire Department and other government agencies or stakeholders.
“Any approval would also be contingent upon meeting all relevant development standards and departmental conditions,” read the administrative report in the April 28 agenda.
The property shall not be subdivided and will remain as two buildings on one lot. The parcel may not be sold or subdivided without prior written approval from the City.
Public input was solicited in writing up to 12 noon on Monday, April 13, and no submissions were received by the City, and no interest was expressed in attending the briefing session, which was then cancelled.