Election Watch 2022

To present a profile of each candidate in the upcoming City of Summerside election, we asked each candidate their official position on active transportation (AT). To be clear, the question does not ask if the candidates support SAFE Summerside's draft plan. Specifically, we asked: "In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?"  We also asked each candidate a second question, "How do you feel active transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?"  This question helps us understand the depth of knowledge the candidate has on the subject.  We also explore each candidate's number one priority they identified in their campaign (as told to the CBC) and access if it aligns with the vision of safe streets.  Lastly, we highlight if the candidate has been responsive to SAFE Summerside's e-mails in the past and if the candidate has participated in SAFE Summerside events.  Being elected officials, we see being responsive to the concerns of its residents as a key to moving forward.

We start this process by recognizing the increasing number of pedestrian/cyclist collisions in Summerside and the three pedestrian deaths in the last three years.  We do so with great respect and reverence for these families.  We have recently reported 48 collisions with the majority on high-traffic streets in Summerside.

Before we begin, if you are unsure what Ward you reside in, you can follow this link to identify your Ward in Summerside.

Again, here are the questions we asked:

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

Mayoral Candidates

Summerside needs a mayor who sees the long-term benefits of active transportation: economic, health, environment, and community building.  Two of the three mayoral candidates (Dan Kutcher and James Ford) responded to our questions, and the same two responded to CBC.  Dan Kutcher and James Ford support an official AT plan for Summerside. Mayor Basil Stewart was unresponsive to our two questions and unresponsive to all email communication with SAFE Summerside's concerns in the preceding months (and, believe us, there has been plenty of opportunity to respond to us).  Based on the current Mayor's lack of a response on this issue for the preceding three months, our group strongly recommends those who value active transportation place their vote elsewhere on November 7.

Dan Kutcher
(Candidate for Mayor)

Dan has attended the Walk/Ride to Support Active Transporation (Oct 15), SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29), and publicly supported active transportation and the work of SAFE Summerside during the Mayoral Debate (Oct 27).   On two occasions (the mayoral Debate and the Walk/Ride to Support AT), Dan has said he has been a part of the development of the SAFE Summerside draft AT Network plan from the beginning.  He has read the plan and has provided input to the plan.

In his response to the CBC about "how the city can build upon its sports fields, parks, and green space," his response leaves no doubt about his commitment to active transportation development in Summerside: 

"Going forward, we need to ensure that our green spaces meet the needs of our changing community; that they are barrier-free, accessible for everyone, have necessary infrastructure (i.e. public washrooms and bike racks) and support activities of our increasingly diverse population. I am also a strong supporter of a solid plan for the development of an active transportation network around our city. We must give people safe non-car options to move around our city — whether that be on a bike, in a wheelchair, on your feet, scooters, roller blades etc. by ensuring our streets are for everyone.

In conclusion, Dan's response to our two questions solidifies his vision for a Summerside strengthened by active transportation.

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

Yes absolutely! An official AT network plan would provide our City with a guide to get this done - An AT network makes it easier and better for people to move within our community in ways that benefit our community as a whole.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

Summerside would benefit from an integrated active transportation network connecting key points in our city. I am encouraged by some early developments and the waterfront and confederation trail linkages, but I believe our residents would benefit from a clear long term plan for a viable AT network in Summerside. 

James Ford
(Candidate for Mayor)

James also attended the Walk/Ride to Support Active Transporation (Oct 15), SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29), and publicly supported active transportation and the work of SAFE Summerside during the Mayoral Debate (Oct 27).   James learned about SAFE Summerside while attending the Council Meeting (Sep 20), where SAFE Summerside presented our case to install the bike lane on Greenwood Drive "around," not on top of, storm drains.  He was attending the Council Meeting to support those struggling with affordable housing.

In his response to the CBC about "what needs to be done to bring more business and activity to Summerside's downtown core," one of his priorities is to "ensure there is adequate parking for both vehicles and bicycles." Bicycle parking has been an ongoing concern of the AT community in Summerside, which only has increased with the growth of e-bikes.  Further, when SAFE Summerside asked James for an official statement on the two questions, his responses were supportive and looking into the future of possibilities. They provided detailed examples of what he would see as needed improvements:

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

Absolutely, a plan for active transportation is something that would benefit the city immensely. Active transport helps us stay healthy, burn less fuel and in doing so saves money in both transportation and in health care costs as well as being fun. Too often we rush around in vehicles to do even the most basic tasks without ever stopping or taking the time to enjoy the journey, active transport allows us to take a minute, slow down and enjoy ourselves as we make our way from day to day tasks.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

One of the ways I believe the city could improve active transportation in Summerside is to build a bike lane that encompasses all main arterial routes of traffic, so that if one so desired they would be able to bike around the whole city without having to leave the bike lane. As someone who uses a bicycle as their main form of transportation I can say that there are times when it is difficult to cross some of the main roads, such as the intersection of Pope, Granville and Ryan street uptown and where Heather Moyse drive meets Water street downtown. A city wide bike lane would help alleviate this problem and help facilitate the use of active transportation. I would also like to see more bike racks in the uptown and downtown, especially in the business heavy districts; currently there is very little space where one can lock their bike, especially in the commercial district uptown where much of Summerside’s commerce takes place. I know personally that the lack of bike racks and the difficulty crossing the road uptown has been a detractor to me using my bike when shopping uptown. I would also look into lowering the grade of the cities sidewalks so that mobility scooters have an easier time clearing them, I have heard from several people that in their current state many people who drive scooters must drive on the shoulder because they are unable to clear the hills and valleys of the sidewalks; I am unsure as to what laws govern the grade of the sidewalk valleys, but unless there is a very good reason as to why they need to be the grade they are I would like to see them lowered so that those on scooters can use the sidewalks instead of the shoulder. There are many ways that the city can improve upon active transportation and this list is by no means exhaustive, but they are a few of the main ways I believe we can ensure that streets are for everyone.

City Council Candidates 

All Council candidates were asked the same two questions about active transportation in Summerside. All reoffering candidates, other than Norma McColemen, responded to our questions.  Additionally, CBC asked each candidate what they see as their number one priority in their Wards, and we will highlight those statements when the candidate's number one issue is aligns with safe and accessible active transportation. As with the above mayoral discussion, we will also discuss if each elected official has been responding to our e-mails and concerns.

In short, we present this table to highlight if candidates support the development of an official AT Plan for the City of Summerside. Please view each candidate's full comments later on the page.  Candidates who have not responded to our questions are not named.

* acclaimed

We also include a breakdown of the pedestrian/cyclist collision with motor vehicles by Ward.  We can see that Ward 5 accounts for close to 1/3 of total collisions in the city at 28 percent, which increases to 31 percent of all pedestrian collisions.  We see Ward 3 (17%) and Ward 6 (15%) as the other Wards with the most collisions.  Notably, while we see great fluxation in pedestrian collisions in the Wards (31% to 2%), we see nearly a straight line concerning cyclist collisions.    

Bruce MacDougall
Ward 1 (St. Eleanors-Bayview)

Bruce attended SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29) and questioned why West Drive was not added to the plan as it has been the street historically with the highest number of speeding tickets in the city.  West Drive is now added to the plan.  Thanks, Bruce!  Further, Bruce actively participated during the Open House, offering ideas and asking questions for clarification.  The funding path we presented also seemed to be of interest.  Bruce has also communicated with SAFE Summerside a number of times, responding to several e-mails.  He also initiated contact following a story on CBC radio.  Bruce told CBC the number one priority in Ward 1 is affordable housing and speeding.  Motor vehicle speed is certainly related to active transportation, and the collisions between pedestrians/cyclists in the city.  Bruce was the first candidate to respond to our two questions.

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

Yes, with the substantial increase in population and the rise in popularity of e-bikes/bicycles/walking, I see this as a logical step in the right direction.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

I would like to see the city set up a committee made up of a Council representative, Police Department, Technical Services, and a couple of members of SAFE Summerside/public to review and recommend safety concerns/issues to the Council

Justin Doiron
Ward 2 (St. Eleanors-Slemon Park)

Justin had planned to attend SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 27) but was unable to do so.  Justin has been responsive to SAFE Summerside via email and social media.  Justin told CBC the number one priority in his Ward is "traffic-related: speeding, intersections, crosswalks." Again, with twice the amount of collisions between pedestrians/cyclists and motor vehicles this year (14) as last year (7) in Summerside, the key issues of Justin's campaign are aligned with the major tenets of safe streets and active transportation.  Justin was the second candidate to respond to our two questions, and he responded before he was acclaimed.  What follows are Justin's responses to our two questions: 

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

I would 100% support the development of an AT Plan. I would however like to see at least one person from City Staff take part at some level and provide a recommendation for/against. A recommendation from staff certainly makes it easier to support when it comes time to vote (if voting is necessary). I wouldn’t want to see us implementing something that is contrary to what the City may already have in place. I couldn’t imagine that being the scenario, but I would just like to see that layer of protection in place.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

I think the obvious answer to this would be more routes, and a larger budget. The current AT path we have was funded partially by other levels of Government, and if that additional funding wouldn’t have been available, it would have been a very difficult project to undertake, at least to the level it is today. I’m sure you would agree that HALF an AT path isn’t all that useful. Better than nothing perhaps, but nice to have the ability to do the entire route.  In a perfect world, existing street widths and budgets, etc. would be no issue and we could put a full AT path along every city street. So REALISTICALLY, I think the answer to the question would be having a long-term plan that sees the gradual addition of paths networked together.

Barb Ramsay
Ward 3 (Summerside-North)

Barb told CBC the number one priority in Ward 3 is "to ensure [it is] a safe area of the city, i.e., sidewalks, crossing lanes, speed control, signage."  As you can see, Barb's number one priority is also aligned with the safe streets and active transportation principles. Barb's response to our two questions was prefaced with the statement that her answers are the same as the answers the Director of Community Services has provided SAFE Summerside in the past.  

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

I am in favour of an active transportation plan but it would be irresponsible of me to commit to something when the proper procedures are not in place.  The province has yet to release its official Active Transportation Development/Design Guide. This piece of the puzzle is a HUGE piece for “needs assessment” and development of an official AT plan. As experienced with the two rounds of AT projects we’ve completed on Greenwood, being without these design standards is costly and leaves everyone in an uncertain position.  This was evidenced in our own thoughts and feelings on how manhole covers or lane widths are handled and subsequently designed with AT projects going forward.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

The province has yet to complete it’s own province wide AT Network plan, I am told they continue to work on it however the larger municipalities of Summerside, Cornwall, Chtown, Stratford, Montague etc will all play a vital role in the overarching provincial strategy, thus meaning our strategies need to be aligned. Designing our AT network plan in advance of the provinces would prove to be putting the cart before the horse. Once the province has firmed up their own network they will be making funding available for educated and certified consultants to help our city (among others on PEI) to develop our own AT Plan.

Cory Snow
Ward 4 (Clifton-Market)

Cory attended SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29) and actively participated.  Further, as the Councillor responsible for Community Services, Cory has responded numerous times to SAFE Summerside's e-mails and is always open to hearing feedback and concerns.  What follows are Cory's answers to our two questions:

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

Active transportation is an important part building a safe, vibrant and active community for all. As a city we have been working closely with the province for financial support and guidance to improve active transportation routes. I will continue to support improvements to our active transportation throughout the city. As a city we have been awaiting the release of a Provincial Active Transportation Plan that will help guide and connect future active transportation planning within our city.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

We need to continue to expand and connect our city through active transportation routes. In doing so allowing all residents to move safely throughout the city. Continuing to improve these routes require significant investments and require partnerships from the different levels of government and community organizations.

Patrick McMahon
Ward 5 (Hillcrest-Platte River)

Patrick is one of three candidates in Ward 5.  The incumbent (Greg Campbell) is not reoffering.  Patrick is the only candidate in Ward 5 who has responded to our questions (however, we only recently sent the questions to Ward 5).  Patrick's number one priority, as told to CBC, is "infrastructure and planning," both key areas when considering active transportation in the city.  His answer to our question is below:

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

I would support the development of a plan. I'd like to see the paths be connected and the introduction of cycle lanes connected across the city.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

We will add to this section when we recevie Patrick's response. 

Nicholas Cameron
Ward 7 (Green Shore-Three Oaks)

Nicholas is one of two candidates in Ward 7.  The incumbent (Brian McFeely) is not reoffering.  Nicholas attended the Open House to discuss SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29) and was an active participant (taking notes, involved in the discussion).  If elected, his biggest goals, he told CBC are affordable housing, seniors, and "I want to make Summerside a safe and thriving city . . . [and to] establish more active transportation infrastructure . . .".  When we reached out to Nicholas to answer our two questions . . . Nicholas responded: 

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

If elected, I would push as hard as possible for an active transport plan. I would like to create a council committee to work with grassroots groups like yours and establish an official active transport plan for the city following consultation and development. I commute to work 5-7months out of the year via electric scooter or bicycle. I think it’s immensely important for a smaller community like Summerside where everything could be accessed with alternative forms of transport, rather than a car. I also feel like promoting a healthier/active lifestyle will benefit everyone, and we have such a beautiful city, so people should get out and take in some of the scenery.

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

Summerside has so much potential when it comes to active transport. As a city, we are starting to tap into that and need to keep moving forward. There are large, paved shoulders that have the potential to be turned into bike lanes. It is a cheap/quick way to get more lanes up and running while working on funding/budgeting for more infrastructure. I would also love to see community information/education sessions for drivers and commuters to ensure that everyone can be safe whether or not they decide to use active forms of transportation. 

Rick Morrison
Ward 7 (Green Shore-Three Oaks)

The second candidate for Ward 7, Rick Morrison, told CBC the number one priority in his Ward is "traffic flow on Water Street and MacEwen Road."  Rick's response to SAFE Summerside's questions regarding developing an official active transportation in Summerside reads: "I am I certainly in support of more active transportation and any recreation for the betterment of our city. The spin off value for residents is undeniable."

Carrie Adams
Ward 8 (Wilmot)

Carrie had planned to attend SAFE Summerside's AT Network Plan discussion paper Open House (Oct 29) but was unable to do so.  Carrie told CBC the number one priority in Ward 8 is "traffic . . . the infrastructure has never changed, yet Water Street is the second busiest road on the Island."  Traffic and street infrastructure on Water Street directly align with safe streets and active transportation, as does the statement that infrastructure needs to be changed/introduced to best meet the needs of a growing community. What follows are Carrie's responses to our two questions: 

(1) In your next term, if elected, would you support the City of Summerside in developing an official Active Transportation Plan? Why or Why Not?

In the absence of an official active transportation plan from the Province, I support the City of Summerside continuing to build on active transportation routes within the City.  An official plan from the Province, however, would be welcome as then all municipalities will be on the same page when it comes to expectations of their active transportation routes. 

(2) How do you feel Active Transportation could be improved within the City of Summerside?

Active Transportation can always be improved upon and added to. As noted above, having the official active transportation plan from the Province would help guide the process and move things along at a faster rate. 

 

For candidates who have yet to respond to our questions, you can do so at any time, and we will post your responses online.  You can reach us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.