Public Payroll in Focus: Prince Edward County’s Staffing Costs in Context
Municipalities across Ontario are grappling with the rising costs of staffing, but in Prince Edward County (PEC), the growth has been especially pronounced. With increasing demands for services and infrastructure, the County has significantly expanded its personnel budget—but at what cost, and with what return? Between 2023 and 2024, the number of County employees earning over $100,000 rose from 34 to 46—a 35% increase. During the same period, total compensation for these high-earning staff grew from $4.3 million to $6.0 million. These figures come from the Ontario Sunshine List and the County’s budget reports. Read more.
The Province’s Legal Responsibility in Healthcare Delivery—and How It’s Failing Prince Edward County
Healthcare services in Ontario are governed by a comprehensive set of provincial statutes, the most prominent being the Canada Health Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-6) and the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2004 (SO 2004, c. 5), which collectively place the onus on the provincial government to ensure accessible, equitable, and timely healthcare for all residents. Read more.
Why Prince Edward County Needs a Stronger Industrial Tax Base
Municipalities depend on a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial taxes to deliver essential services and maintain infrastructure. Among these, a robust industrial tax base provides stable, high-yield revenue with relatively low servicing costs. Unfortunately, Prince Edward County (PEC) lacks such a base—and the consequences are increasingly visible in its budget. Read more.
The Hidden Cost of Crumbling Roads in Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County is facing a significant infrastructure challenge: nearly 40% of its roads are in poor or worse condition, as revealed by a recent street scanning report. This deterioration isn’t just a matter of inconvenience—it translates into substantial economic costs for residents, businesses, and public services. Prince Edward County is facing a significant infrastructure challenge: nearly 40% of its roads are in poor or worse condition, as revealed by a recent street scanning report. Read more.
Can Prince Edward County Afford to Grow?
Prince Edward County is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing rural destinations, known for its natural beauty, heritage charm, and thriving arts and food scenes. But as more people discover what PEC has to offer, the community faces a critical question: can we afford to grow—without breaking the bank or breaking what makes this place special? Development in Prince Edward County has accelerated in recent years. The population grew by 8.4% between 2016 and 2021—above the provincial average for rural communities. But with this growth has come a steep increase in development-related costs. Read more.
How Reliable Is Our Emergency Response in Rural Prince Edward County?
In a rural community like Prince Edward County, where small villages and farms are spread out across more than 1,000 square kilometers, emergency response times aren’t just a matter of convenience—they are a matter of life and death. While many urban areas in Ontario have paramedic and fire services within minutes, rural regions like PEC face unique challenges: long distances, aging infrastructure, and limited staffing, all of which can delay help when seconds matter most. Read more.