On April 11, 2007 Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee (above) sent the following letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper; the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister Responsible for Canada Lands Company; and Mr. Robert Howald, President of Canada Lands Company. Is this what led to CLC Vice-President Gordon McIvor’s decision to “hold off” on development of the Upton Farmlands as reported in today’s Guardian? We are certain it was a major factor and thank Mayor Lee for his efforts. You can thank him, too, at mayor@city.charlottetown.pe.ca

Mayor Lee’s letter:

“Gentlemen:

I am writing in regards to a property in the City of Charlottetown which is currently owned by Canada Lands Company. This property is known as the Upton Farm. The land is currently vacant and Canada Lands have applied for development permits from the City for redevelopment of the site. The previous City Council had approved a developments scheme and legally the City is obligated to issue building permits should Canada Lands ask for same.

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that the new City Council which took office in January of 2007 have indicated their desire to see this property remain an open green public space. The Council is strongly supported by a large group of residents here in Charlottetown who have formed an organization to ensure this area is maintained as a green space within our City.

On April 10th, 2007 City Council passed the following resolution:

‘RESOLVED THAT THE City of Charlottetown request the Canada Lands Company to withdraw their application for development of the lands known as Upton Farms.’

I also want to advise you that the position taken by this Council is supported by several members of the Legislature for the Province of Prince Edward Island as well as Mr. Tom DeBlois, the recently nominated candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada here in the Federal District of Charlottetown.

In closing, I would ask for your assistance in ensuring that the resolution passed by City Council on April 10th is respected and we certainly look forward to discussing this matter in much further detail with yourselves or representatives of the Canada Lands Company.

Thanking you in advance for your anticipated cooperation on this important matter.

Yours truly,

Clifford J. Lee, MAYOR

c.c. Members of Charlottetown City Council, Hon. Peter MacKay, Mr. Tom DeBlois, Mr. Wayne Collins MLA, Mr. Wes MacAleer MLA