The Mayor’s annual New Year Levee ushered in 2025 on Sunday 5 January with a friendly gathering at the Prince Edward Community Centre.

There was no line up, nor a piper leading councillors into the hall. But less pomp and circumstance meant more congenial conversation. Food and drink were catered by the Friends of the Museums, greenery was supplied by Greg Lockyer, and activities for small children were offered by County Kids Read and the Fire Department. There was also a public skate at the arena next door.

Despite these efforts, however, numbers were noticeably down; the roughly 50 attendees were for the most part Councillors, municipal staff — and reporters. Reps from CountyFM, The Times, CountyLive, InQuinte, and the Gazette were on hand.

Councillors Kate MacNaughton, Brad Nieman, Phil St-Jean, Sam Grosso, Bill Roberts, David Harrison, Janice Maynard, Sam Branderhorst and John Hirsch welcomed visitors along with Mayor Steve Ferguson and CEO Marcia Wallace.

Olivia Allsopp taste tests her creation at the 2025 New Year’s Levee. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

Notables included the Mayor of Belleville, Neil Ellis, and the Mayor of Quinte West, Jim Harrison, Col. Andy Bowser, Wing Commander from 8 Wing in Trenton, and Duarte Da Silva, CEO of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce.

Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp was also present for his first Levee in the County, along with wife Jennifer and their three children.

Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison speaks with a County resident at the annual Levee. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

The new MPP will be Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta. Since his election in September, Mr. Allsopp said he has been familiarizing himself with all the portfolios at Queen’s Park.

A Signal Year of Accomplishment

In prepared remarks, the Mayor commended his fellow councillors, noting their high workload, as well as that of the 300 municipal staff led by the CAO.

“I am fortunate to work alongside a group of councillors who work tirelessly for our residents and the community throughout the year.”

Many sit on three or more municipal committees while also engaging in the regular bi-weekly work of Council, Committee-of-the-Whole, and Planning.

He commended the numerous achievements of Council in 2024, beginning with August’s groundbreaking at the new Memorial Hospital in Picton, the culmination of years of work to “Back the Build.” He then anticipated groundbreaking on the new HJ McFarland Care Home early in 2025.

“We look forward to another ground-breaking ceremony early in 2025 as the municipality moves ahead with the redevelopment of its long-term care home, which will give people access to the quality long-term care they deserve in a safe, home-like environment.”

In for special congratulation were Barinder Gill and the Family Healthcare Team’s Community Clinic for Unattached Patients, which garnered a provincial Spotlight award, and Adam Hambly for his County Docs recruitment efforts.

“In January 2024, 2000 residents were on a provincial waitlist for a family doctor,” he noted. “Of those, 750 have found a match, and a further 750 will have found a doctor by March. That is a 75% reduction.”

New Housing and Infrastructure

The Mayor also flagged the opening of Leeward House, a transitional housing facility, and ongoing negotiations with New View Holdings, which will redevelop the former Queen Elizabeth School site in Picton into affordable housing and community space.

“We are doing everything we can to access financial support from upper levels of government for affordable housing. We remain hopeful that our application to the second round of the Housing Accelerator Fund will receive a favourable response from the Government of Canada.”

Current Mayor Steve Ferguson and his predecessor Robert Quaiff. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

He noted Premier Ford’s visit in September to announce $18.3 million through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund to support a regional water plant and a new raw water intake in Wellington. “The new plant will allow for 4,200 housing units of all types, including rentals, senior’s communities, and long-term care spaces, over the next seven years, with another 4,500 housing units slated between 2033 and 2043.”

“We broke ground on the new watermain and sanitary sewer for Wellington in 2024. New water and wastewater infrastructure will continue to be a focus in 2025.”

The County has applied for a further $20 million from the same fund to support the rehabilitation of County Road 49.

MPP Allsopp noted Prince Edward County staff and the Mayor have been in regular contact regarding that request.

“We’ve had good dialogue on a number of planned projects but 49 is top of mind for everyone right now,” he told the Gazette. “I’ve had great conversations with Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Premier Ford.”

“Everyone recognizes that’s a road that needs to be fixed and we are hoping to have some news to announce in the next couple of months,” said Mr. Allsopp.

Looking ahead, the Mayor promised major announcements and new work on emissions reduction, public transit, built and cultural heritage, parks and recreation, and the roundabout at 62 and 1. Jennifer and their three children.

The new MPP will be Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta. Since his election in September, Mr. Allsopp said he has been familiarizing himself with all the portfolios at Queen’s Park.

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