The Coalition for the Protection of PEI Lands will hold a forum entitled: Reflecting on the Past; Planning for the Future, on April 5, 2025 at the New London Community Complex from 2-4pm.  In hosting this forum, the coalition plans to raise awareness about land use planning and zoning issues so that Islanders will be engaged in the upcoming public consultations for the provincial land use plan.

Dr. Josh McFadyen, UPEI's current Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Geospatial Humanities, will speak to the research for his book titled, ‘Time Flies: An Aerial view of land use on Prince Edward Island, its History and Recent Challenges.  Ross Dwyer, from the School of Climate Change and Adaptation, will speak of our current PEI lands situation and what the future may hold with climate change. He will address changes and adaptations needed to mitigate issues. Well known PEI journalist, Ian Petrie will moderate the forum.

According to the recently released State of the Island report, several areas now impacting land use in crisis proportions:

•   PEI’s population is growing at the fastest rate in our history;

•   PEI is losing farmland at at an alarming rate which will impact our food security;

•   PEI’s coastline is inherently vulnerable to the impacts of climate change;

•   The majority of the Island’s subdivision developments are happening in unincorporated areas where there is no land use plan.

These and other issues affecting all aspects of land use including forests, wetlands, indigenous rights, and recreation among others, will be front and centre for input and discussion during the land use consultation period.  

Essential to an effective and comprehensive land use plan will be the manner in which the government structures its consultation on these critical issues.  As the Coalition noted in its submission to the Land Matters Advisory Committee, “We ask you to make these consultations meaningful with lots of time for discussion and that they be held in communities across the Island” The Coalition is particularly concerned that the consultations not follow the ‘red dot, sticky note’ approach noted in more recent government consultations, as this approach does not allow participants to contribute in a meaningful way. If a land use plan is intended to serve us well into the future, it must be done now and done right.

The land forum will be held at the New London Community Complex located at 10227 PE-Route 6, Lot 21 in New London. No registration is needed. This is a free event. Donations are always gratefully accepted to help with costs.