In a recorded vote, Prince Edward County Council approved adding a question to the ballot in the 2026 municipal election regarding a governance review into the government, ranging from council size, ward boundaries, structure and method of election.
The decision was made at the county’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday.
In a report to council, municipal clerk Victoria Leskie outlined what needed to be done under the Municipal Elections Act if council were to seek adding a question to the ballot.
This stems from a motion brought forward by Councillor Chris Braney on February 12, 2025 asking for a governance review to be undertaken.
Three questions were laid out from which council could choose:
- Are you in favour of a review to look at council size and related ward boundaries?
- Are you in favour of a review to examine council structure and method of election of members of council?
- Are you in favour of a comprehensive governance review which would look at council size, ward boundaries, structure and method of election?
In discussion of the report, Councillor Bill Roberts expressed his support for Question 3.
“Don’t we want something comprehensive? Do we really want to do something that’s hackneyed and halfway? I don’t think so,” Roberts explained to council.
“I think the expectation is if we’re going to do this, let’s do it correctly and go and do something that is comprehensive and ask a comprehensive question put simply and in clear language to the people that we serve.”
Councillor Roy Pennell said he was not going to support it, saying there were too many items attached to the question.
“I think it’s too much. I just want a plain question, and let the next council who will be making the decision make the decision at that time, and they can conclude anything and everything they want,” Pennell said.
The choice to go with Question 3 was approved 12-2 in a recorded vote.
Councillors David Harrison and Roy Pennell were the two opposing votes.
The next steps will see county staff obtain legal advice to ensure that the question meets the legislative requirements of being clear, concise and neutral.
