Population growth called 'critical' for the sustainability of Victoria, P.E.I.

After months of public consultations and meetings, the Rural Municipality of Victoria finally has its first-ever five-year plan for development, and it paints a picture of a community in peril.

Victoria is a scenic seaside community on the south shore of P.E.I.'s central region that welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every summer. It hasn't seen much growth in recent years — just 139 people call Victoria home, according to the 2021 census. 

"We are stressed financially, and Victoria has been stressed for years, and we need to get out of that circle in which it's very difficult to operate financially," said Yves Dallaire, the chief administrative officer for Victoria. 

"If we don't have any more revenues in the future, it will be very difficult to survive the way we are right now."

Founded in 1819, Victoria was once home to thriving shipbuilding and lumber industries. It was also known as a resort area, with boat tours organized out of Charlottetown and other locations. 

There have been many ups and downs for the community since then — the transition away from boat transportation and the introduction of a seafood plant, restaurants, the Victoria Playhouse and the emergence of the municipality as a tourism destination. 

To have one-quarter of the population taking part is very encouraging.— Yves Dallaire

Early this century, land-based aquaculture companies found a home in the community, as did two major subdivision developments. 

In the years since, though, the report notes that Victoria has "stagnated," with an aging population and infrastructure, financial struggles and "democratic exhaustion." 

Population growth is key

A big part of the solution that the plan lays out is to attract more residents to live in the community. 

"In the recent years in Victoria, you have had a very stable population and number of new houses despite the fact that there has been much immigration in P.E.I.," said Dallaire.

"It's time for Victoria to pick up on that and to construct something solid on this new basis… It's critical for the long-term sustainability of the municipality." 

The more people who pay taxes in the community, the more money Victoria will have to provide services, he points out. 

Like 'Swiss cheese'

The new plan lays out 24 priorities that Dallaire said will help move the municipality from reactive to proactive in choosing and creating development.

One of the big challenges Victoria is facing is undeveloped land: 46 of the 150 building lots in the town are vacant. The municipality would like to see something built on these privately owned lots.  

"Sometimes I make the comparison with Swiss cheese: It's like delivering services but having one-third of the people not there," Dallaire said. "With the cost of maintaining a water and sewer network, you need to have as many people as you can."

Making the population denser by having the vacant lots developed is one of the new plan's goals. But there is little they can do to bring that about other than encouraging the landowners to sell to people who are interested in building homes in Victoria, Dallaire said. 

He noted that the community needs things like a daycare and seniors home to attract families. He said they also need to develop diverse housing, alongside the village's single-family dwellings.

A quarter of the population took part

The plan was created with the help of the seven-member council, as well as four focus groups that included representation from 14 organizations and 17 individuals.There was also a public meeting that attracted a dozen citizens. 

"I think to have one-quarter of the population taking part is very encouraging… a good sign," Dallaire said.

The plan will be reviewed annually and there will be opportunities for it to be revised, he said.