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On November 26 Councillor John Vandyke of Three Rivers wrote a letter (printed below) to the Guardian expressing his disappointment that Minister Deagle has refused to ratify the by-law amendments I have cited in previous articles.
My focus has been the changes to the definition of group homes which would essentially allow halfway houses and treatment centers similar to the Outreach Center in Charlottetown to be set up in any residential neighborhood in Three Rivers.
However, a significant number of residents have objections to the by-laws as they feel they show preferential treatment to the Buddhist community in PEI and are not in keeping with the spirit of the Island.
The letter from Councillor Vandyke is illuminating because it confirms one of the most sinister issues I see with how the Province is managed, and that is the technocratic nature of the power structure.
Vandyke mentions how closely the Council and the Province worked on these by-laws and how Minister Deagle’s staff fully endorses the amendments. Then he implores the Minister to listen to his own staff of “experts” and “professionals” and do what is necessary.
If the idea is to just let the experts in the bureaucracy do their job, why even have elected politicians? This is the view from the Green party for instance, who does not believe elected members should make healthcare decisions and for months has been imploring the government to let the doctors in the Province dictate health policy.
They will often do this while exalting the virtues of democracy and seem incapable of noticing the contradiction.
For years I have observed PEI politics and find it troubling how feckless most Ministers appear to be. It seems to me that for the majority of them they are more akin to glorified press secretaries for the staff they have working for them rather than actual leaders.
By refusing to ratify these by-law amendments, this represents one of the few times that this PC government has asserted itself as the final decision maker. Considering how the Outreach Center and this Housing First pilot has gone on Campbell street, expert is that last word I would use to describe the staff working at the Department of Housing.
Councillor Vandyke Letter
I am writing as a councillor for the Town of Three Rivers to express my frustration with the ongoing delay by Housing Minister Cory Deagle in approving the town’s amended development bylaw.
Council passed the bylaw in December 2024 after months of consultation and detailed review. It was submitted to the province in January – first to then-minister Steven Myers. Myers chose not to act on the bylaw and left it sitting on his desk until the day he resigned from public office.
Now, nearly a year later, the bylaw remains unsigned under Deagle, despite a full review by departmental staff confirming that the amendments were sound, enforceable, and strengthened requirements in the institutional zone. Provincial staff recommended approval without a single change.
By failing to approve the bylaw, Deagle is disregarding the considerable work of planning board, council, staff and the residents who participated throughout the process. He is also undermining the professionalism of his own staff, whose clear recommendation he has chosen not to follow.
It is increasingly apparent that this delay may be influenced by objections from a very small group of residents who continue to spread misinformation – claiming, for example, that the town is allowing hospitals, police stations, or similar institutional facilities for specific religious groups, including the Buddhist monastic community. These claims are entirely false. Such uses are not permitted in the zones where these communities are located.
It is unacceptable for misinformation from a vocal minority to outweigh the transparent, evidence-based work completed by both municipal and provincial planning professionals. Residents and developers deserve clarity, consistency, and certainty – not political hesitation.
The town has done its job. The province’s experts have done theirs. It is long past time for the minister to do his.
Deagle must show leadership and approve the amended development bylaw without further delay.
John Vandyke,
Councillor, Three Rivers, P.E.I.
