Image of Stratford Mayor Steve OgdenMayor’s Message
Summer 2023

After a relatively moderate winter we welcome summer, with all the enjoyment and possibilities it offers. This summer will be an especially busy and exciting time for our Town with many major projects including:

  • Construction of the roads, active transportation, water, sewer, and stormwater systems, as well as a future solar array as part of the Community Campus development. Building of the new high school by the Province of PEI will also begin over the next few months.
  •  As part of the Community Campus development, we look forward to concrete plans and timelines for a new junior high school recently announced by Premier Dennis King.
  • The Michael Thomas Waterfront Park will see a new boardwalk constructed and the site opened for public use.
  • Work will recommence to restore the Kelly’s Pond watershed, including Moore’s Pond to its former pristine beauty by dredging and improving water quality and flow.
  • A new water tower will be constructed to meet the fresh water needs of our growing Town.
  • The Gray Group’s Crossroads development zoning and bylaw changes have been approved by Council, so we are looking forward to construction beginning soon on the initial phase of this billion-dollar project.

What’s New?

  •  Both the Town and Utility budgets were passed in March. There were no tax increases to residential or commercial rates.
  • Stratford received a very prestigious Climate Change Mitigation award at a recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference in Ottawa. I was very honoured to accept the award, along with Councillor Gordie Cox, Sustainability Chair, and former Sustainability Coordinator for the Town of Stratford, Katie Sonier.
  • CMHC has awarded the Town $1.1 million to find ways to address the current national housing crisis by identifying barriers to development. The project, called Shape Stratford, aims to simplify, and rationalize the approval process to get needed housing in place as quickly as possible. We hope you will join in the conversation every chance you get.

I am very grateful to Council, Staff, and residents for the continued success our Town enjoys as we work together to minimize environmental impacts and maximize opportunities for making Stratford the best place to live, work and play.

I look forward to seeing residents at various upcoming activities, in particular on Canada Day when we again come together to celebrate not only our fabulous country, but also our wonderful community!

Sincerely,
Mayor Steve Ogden