December 2025 Municipal Update
December 2025 Newsletter
From the Mayor’s Desk
As we approach the holiday season, I want to update residents on several significant developments within our municipal government and the work ahead for the Rural Municipality of Victoria.
At the December 8, 2025 regular Council meeting, the Council received the resignations of three members: Eric Gilbert, Linda Gilbert, and John Tamminga. I want to thank them for their service to the community. Over the coming weeks, the Council and the Municipal Office will be reviewing these vacancies and the resulting openings on committees to ensure that municipal operations continue smoothly and that resident services remain uninterrupted. At the recent council meeting, the council approved the appointment of two members to the Water and Sewer Corporation Board that will ensure the ongoing operations of this important committee and that will serve the requirement under our bylaws to have two council members represented on the Board. We will share additional information on next steps, including any by-elections, once timelines are confirmed.
During the same meeting, Council concluded its review of a conflict-of-interest complaint involving Councillor Eric Gilbert. The complaint, filed in early October is related to the handling of overdue water and sewer accounts. The Council determined, with the appropriate legal advice, that the action taken by Mr. Gilbert constituted a conflict of interest under our bylaw. Councillor Gilbert was provided multiple opportunities to respond or make a presentation to Council, but no response was received. As required under the bylaw, the Council’s decision results in Mr. Gilbert being disqualified from serving on Council or on committees in the future.
It is important to understand this matter within the broader context of behavioural concerns that have affected the Rural Municipality of Victoria Council and committee operations for several years. This includes disrespectful interactions during meetings, procedural disruptions, ongoing violations of our council’s code of conduct bylaw, and inappropriate member engagement with municipal staff. Some of this behaviour became normalized long before the current term. When I became Mayor, it was clear that addressing this culture was necessary for Council to function effectively and for the community to have confidence in its elected representatives. This has been much harder than I expected.
More recently, the council has also been affected by the following situations over the past three years:
repeated disruptions during Council meetings;
unfounded accusations against staff and Council members including allegations of financial impropriety by council members and municipal office staff;
an ongoing harassment complaint filed against Councillor Eric Gilbert for inappropriate comments he made at the September 2nd, 2025 special meeting of the Council and in the context of previous behaviour while dealing with members of the municipal staff.
a resolved code of conduct complaint against a member who violated the bylaw standards by disrespecting municipal operations standards and other council members;
failure by council members who have violated the code of conduct bylaw to resolve matters informally when offered;
repeated requests for meeting audio not authorized for public release, placing additional burdens on staff.
Unfortunately, these matters have also resulted in unanticipated expenditures by the municipality. Our bylaws are very strict in their application. In order to resolve the significant behavioural issues experienced by the Council that have impeded its ability to operate effectively, the Municipality has not only had to take on board additional costs, but the inefficient use of municipal office staff time.
Throughout the past three years, we have taken steps to raise the standard of discussion, debate and behaviour between council members and committee members, to align with our Code of Conduct and Procedural Bylaw.
While the recent resignations and the conflict-of-interest ruling are challenging events, they also provide an opportunity for the Council to continue strengthening our workplace environment, our decision-making processes, and our relationships with residents. While this work has been ongoing, a special effort was made by the Council members at our December 8th meeting to address several of these areas in our governance framework.
The Council and staff remain fully committed to ensuring stability, continuity of services, and a constructive path forward for our community. Initiatives that will underpin this objective will be implemented over the last 12 months of this council’s term. Reflecting on the Council’s workplan, we will continue to prioritize:
consistent application of bylaws;
respectful and transparent governance;
staff stability;
stable and effective service delivery.
As we are just over two weeks from Christmas, I want to take this opportunity to wish all residents of Victoria a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Thank you for your continued support, patience, and engagement as we work through these transitions together.
I encourage all residents to stay engaged and reach out with questions, ideas, or feedback on how we can continue improving our municipal services. You can contact your council representatives or the Municipal Office directly. I am also available at 902-388-7584 or by email at allenfarm17@gmail.com. For updates and more information, please visit our website.
Martin Ruben, Mayor
From the Municipal Office
New rules for the committees in 2026
The Planning Board, the Water and Sewer Corporation Board and the Emergency Measures Planning Committee will follow revamped rules starting in 2026. For one, the committees will have to determine a fixed schedule of meetings as part of a municipal calendar of activities. Agendas will also need to be prepared earlier so they can be circulated to the public in a timely manner. The new rules also regulate the quorum needed for these meetings so that fewer meetings have to be rescheduled or cancelled. This is part of an effort to provide the Council with regular recommendations from these committees and to better inform the public.
Water and Sewer Corporation Board
New members on the Water and Sewer Corporation Board. The Council appointed Councillor Tom Wright as chair of this Board while Councillor Shelley Trainor was appointed as vice-chair. The Board now has five members with Ian Dennison and Henry Dunsmore acting as representatives of the residents while the Mayor is automatically a member of the Council committees.
Many construction projects in the Dunrovin Shores Subdivision
No fewer than four development permits totaling more than two million dollars were issued by the Municipality in the Dunrovin Shores Subdivision in 2025. Three of these projects are currently under construction and a fourth one is planned for the spring of 2026. This is a significant development for this housing project. It should be noted that the Planning Board is requiring a shore protection strategy approved by the Environment Department for any construction on the shoreline.
Financial Sustainability Options
A Committee of the Whole meeting was held on September 2, 2025 and some recommendations were made by Council members and the public in order to improve the financial situation of the municipality. You can see here a preliminary assessment of these public recommendations as presented to the Council at their December 8th meeting. Some recommendations will be considered during the 2026-27 budget process. Further recommendations from the public are welcome and can be sent to the Municipal Office.
1. Increase efficiency and transparency in municipal decision-making.
Since 2024, we have had a quarterly budget update that has been presented to the Council. Council members have the opportunity to discuss the content of this document. Otherwise, a new procurement bylaw and policy has been suggested to the Council for the applications in 2026. Both of these tools and the annual financial statements provide Council members with key financial information.
2. Strengthen communication with the Province to align goals.
Maintaining timely communication with the Province is important to stay informed, access available resources, and ensure our goals are aligned. The Municipality will continue to engage regularly with provincial departments to share updates and coordinate priorities.
The Mayor has been very helpful in communicating with provincial departments and MLAs.
3. Explore the option of taking back responsibility for Victoria Park.
Victoria Park does not constitute a provincial park at this time. It is not advisable at this time to take back the responsibility of this land while the provincial government is making decisions about the future of this property including the protection measures against coastal erosion. The yearly cost of maintaining such a park is substantial.
4. Consider hiring a dedicated water and sewer staff person.
The current budget does not support a dedicated part-time water and sewer position. As water and sewer activities are project-based and certified operators already provide the required technical support, creating a new position will be difficult to finance and to justify. This option can be reconsidered in the next budget cycle after an assessment of the water and sewer system is made. The availability of Water and Sewer certified managers is very limited in PEI.
5. Assess the installation and monitoring of water meters in restaurants.
Installation costs and administrative capacity should be evaluated. The municipal office will develop a pilot project in 2026 with the help of W&S Corporation. It probably needs modifications of our bylaw and the approval from IRAC.
6. Examine the potential benefits of expanding the municipal boundaries.
The potential benefits include a broader tax base, better coordination of infrastructure and land-use planning, and fairer cost sharing across a larger population. However, such expansion requires provincial approval, public consultation, and a clear demonstration of financial and administrative capacity. In short, it’s possible, but it must be carefully planned, transparent, and supported by the affected communities. The first step of this project is more political than administrative. Such a project should receive financial support from the provincial government.
7. Investigate revenue options such as a tourist tax or parking fees.
Parking fees are not recommended, as other PEI tourist destinations do not charge for parking and a paid system would require additional staff time for management. It is an expense to install an automated system.
A small tourism accommodation levy added to local accommodations could be a more effective option. This approach is used in other parts of Canada and could provide funding to support tourism promotion and infrastructure improvements.
According to MGA, a council may, by bylaw, impose a tourism accommodation levy on any person who for a daily charge, fee or remuneration purchases accommodation at a tourism establishment in the municipality. For example, Charlottetown and Summerside have implemented a 3% accommodation levy.
This new financial strategy would imply a creation of a new bylaw and new financial processes to recover the levy. This should be done in collaboration with the owners of tourism accommodation in Victoria.
8. Explore opportunities to increase income from commercial properties.
Most commercial properties outside tourism accommodations are restaurants and food take-outs. A lot of tourists coming to Victoria only spend a few hours in the village during the day. These daily visitors use public bathrooms, parking and other municipal services.
Under current provincial legislation, only tourism accommodation providers can be subject to a levy. Restaurants and other food take-out businesses are not authorized to collect or remit additional tourism-related fees.
Representation has to be made at IRAC level in order to increase W&S fees for these businesses.
9. Review revenue possibilities from AirBnBs and other short-term rentals.
This matter has already been considered under item No. 7.
10. Consider issuing licenses to businesses operating in the Municipality.
In accordance with Section 162 of the MGA, municipalities could impose utility charges under the control of Council. In theory, charges for parking, washrooms and other municipal services could be charged to businesses. If Council agrees with these charges, confirmation will have to be received from the Municipal Affairs Department and IRAC to define a course of action.
11. Explore strategies to increase the number of residents in the Municipality.
Gradually rezone suitable rural land for residential use to increase housing availability and attract more young residents and families. This will be done in phases to support sustainable growth and align with infrastructure capacity and provincial policies. Two major housing projects have been processed in 2025. A child care facility project is critical for housing development.
12. Assess the potential for wharf businesses to contribute additional fees.
Under current provincial legislation, only tourism accommodation providers can be subject to a levy. Restaurants and other wharf-based businesses are not authorized to collect or remit additional tourism-related fees.
13. Approach Onda and Amar to participate in fair tax/revenue structures.
Onda and Amar have already paid property tax and Water and Sewer fees. There is no regulation in MGA that authorizes the levy.
14. Re-examine possible restructuring options.
Already addressed at item No.6.
Financial Audit
A complete presentation of the municipal financial statements audit was made by our auditor on December 8th. The report concluded that our statements were made in accordance with the required standards. The auditor will work in collaboration with the Municipal Office to improve the collection of tax reductions in the future.
Dangerous, Hazardous and Unsightly Premises (DHUP) Bylaw follow-up
The application of this new bylaw in early 2025 has been a success. No less than four crumbling buildings on Nelson, Russell and other streets have been demolished while others on Main and Nelson streets have been upgraded. The bylaw really contributes to the beautification of the Village and makes the Village more secure against fire and health hazards. The Municipality is still working on strategies to collaborate with owners having unstable structures. A second list of DHUP will be submitted to the Council in early 2026 for their consideration.
Victoria Playhouse
The Municipal Office is in the final stages of negotiations with the Victoria Playhouse for the renewal of the lease at the Community Hall. The Council adopted a motion to instruct the CAO to change the format of this agreement to give further responsibilities to the Playhouse such as the year-round management of the building. A final document should be adopted at the January 12, 2026 Council meeting.
Commission for the modification of the Remuneration Bylaw
A commission composed of Bruce Gough and Susan Oxley has been appointed by Council to analyze the opportunity to revise the remuneration of Council members before the 2026 elections. The commission will begin its work in early January and has to submit a report to Council at the March meeting at the latest.
Car parking in Victoria
The Municipality has been advised that car parking on the provincial roads is not tolerated during shoveling operations. Please use public parking lots as needed during snowstorms to complement the parking space on your lot. Thank you.
The new Financial and Administrative Assistant confirmed in her position
After a three-month probation period, the new Victoria Financial and Administrative Assistant, Wanting Liu, has been confirmed in her position following an excellent evaluation. For those who met Wanting, they easily recognize her professionalism and her social skills. We also acknowledge her dedication to her work. She certainly is a welcome addition to our team at the Municipal Office!
Snow Shoveling at the Municipal Office – Hiring a Local Resident
The Municipality is seeking a local resident who is interested in providing snow-clearing services at the entrance of the Municipal Office during the winter season. This work will be compensated on an hourly basis. Residents interested in this opportunity are invited to contact the Municipal Office for details regarding scheduling, requirements, and rate of pay.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
For more information on any of these topics, please contact the Municipal Office or visit our website. We thank residents for their continued engagement and support.
That’s all for this month! See past issues at www.RMVictoria.com/newsletters
Questions or feedback? Info for a future newsletter or photos you’re willing to share?
Contact staff at victoriamunicipalitypei@gmail.com
Victoria Historic Schoolhouse
730 Victoria Road, Victoria, PE,
C0A 1J0, Canada