The Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) awarded the City of Mount Pearl three Marketing Canada Awards for the City’s ‘Come to Life’ resident attraction campaign at a ceremony held in Edmonton earlier this month. The campaign promoted Mount Pearl as a vibrant and welcoming community in which to live, and earned awards in Advertising Campaign, Website, and Video categories. From left are Manager of Economic Development and Housing Jeremy Schwartz, councillor Chelsea Lane, and Director of Corporate Services Cassie Rideout, who were on hand in Edmonton to accept the awards. City of Mount Pearl photo
Job Fair
Hundreds of folks, many of them immigrants or high school students, dropped by the Reid Community Centre last Thursday for the Mount Pearl - Paradise Chamber of Commerce Job Fair. Some 28 employers, including the City of Mount Pearl, Town of Paradise, Marie’s Mini Mart, and PAL Airlines, manned booths and spoke with potential future employees. Shelly England, Career Development Officer with Trades NL, an umbrella labour organization representing 14 different local trades unions, said she was happy to see so many young people from nearby schools expressing an interest in trades. Sgt. Sarah Parkes and Cpl. Michael Halitzki with the 37 Canadian Brigade Group also spoke with the students and job seekers. Mark Squibb photos
Mount Pearl in line for $5.3 million
By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl has accepted over $5.3 million in federal funding spread out over a five-period.
The funds come courtesy of the Canada Community-Building Fund Agreement (formerly the gas tax), a federal funding program aimed at helping communities improve all manner of infrastructure, from roads to recreation facilities.
The City will receive $1,028,457 in 2024-2025, $1,071,309 in both 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, and $1,114,161 in both 2027-2028, for a total of $5,399,397.
Funding is based on census data, and a second round of funding (2029-2034) will be determined based on the 2026 census.
“What struck me with this item is that our disbursements and the amounts we receive are contingent on our census data,” said councillor Jim Locke. “And I know the City of Mount Pearl, through our strategic plan, is all about intensification, and we are proactively trying to recruit and attract new residents to the City of Mount Pearl, and this is the reason here. Our population has been declining over the last number of census periods — I think about two percent over the last census period — so, the loss of population will impact the amount of money we receive under this agreement. So, I just wanted to highlight the reason for being proactive in intensification and trying to attract more people to our fine City. It does have financial implications for funding activities like this.”
The funds are first dispersed to the provincial government and then allocated to municipalities by the Province.
Mount Pearl writes off $24,700 in unpaid fees
By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl City Council has voted to write off $24,797 in unpaid business fees that staff have deemed uncollectible.
Councillor Mark Rice explained that staff had reviewed the outstanding accounts for seven commercial businesses amounting to the above balance and recommend council write off the balance as all collection efforts had been exhausted.
Council unanimously approved the motion with no further discussion.
The amounts range from $385 to $9,155 per business.
More work on Holden Street
by Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl council earlier this month approved major upgrades along Holden Street, including the full replacement of water, sanitary and storm, asphalt, curb and sidewalk and the full replacement of the sanitary and storm easement between Holden Street, Ingerman Street and Farrell Drive.
The request for proposals closed on June 26 and staff received three submissions. The engineering committee recommend council approve CBCL Limited for the work for the bid amount of $341,596, HST included.
“The poor people of Farrell Drive,” mused Mayor Dave Aker. “This will be their third summer (of construction). I really want to say I appreciate the asset management perspective of council, but I must say, we appreciate the patience of the residents. But you know, when it’s all said it done, it’s like councillor (Isabelle) Fry says, you don’t remember when Commonwealth Avenue was done, but it was.”
This piece of work should mark the completion of work along Farrell Drive.
Council also approved an additional $12,926, HST included, worth of work related to the 2024 Asphalt and Concrete Service contract.
That contract, valued at $528,791, HST included, was awarded to Dexter Construction earlier this year.
The monies are to cover the cost of additional excavation and other miscellaneous items.
Both motions were approved unanimously.
Family grateful for support when they really needed it
Members of Mount Pearl City Council were joined by former Candlelighters President Wendy Chaulk and son Andrew Chaulk on September 17 to proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Former Mount Pearl resident Wendy Chaulk served as president of the organization for a decade following her son’s cancer diagnosis in 1997.Chaulk said she was overwhelmed by the support her family received during her son’s cancer treatment. From left are councillors Isabelle Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, Mayor Dave Aker, Andrew Chaulk, Wendy Chaulk, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Mark Squibb photo
‘Mount Pearl is the very best community in the province for community spirit’
By Mark Squibb
Former Mount Pearl resident Wendy Chaulk can still vividly remember the day her son Andrew was diagnosed with cancer.
“When a doctor looked at me and told me that my son had a sizeable brain tumor, and that he had a 50 percent chance of living, it was jarring, it was shocking, and it was scary,” said Chaulk. “And for many parents, this is their reality.”
That was in 1997. Andrew was a student at Park Avenue Elementary and member of the Mount Pearl Blades hockey team, a regular kid facing an imposing foe.
Andrew, now 38 and cancer-free, joined his mother Wendy, who served as president of the Candlelighters Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for 10 years following Andrew’s cancer diagnosis, in council chambers earlier this month to help the City of Mount Pearl proclaim September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
“We are so grateful that we were residents of the City of Mount Pearl because let me tell you, it took about three or four months to get through the meals in our freezer,” said Chaulk. “And that’s important… I’ve never gotten that community feeling in St. Johns, which is where I grew up… I think Mount Pearl is the very best community in the province for community spirit.”
Chaulk’s presentation resonated with Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, who was struck by a vehicle and severely injured last May.
“My journey did not include cancer, but it certainly included a day when, like you said, everything stopped,” said Kieley. “And you don’t realize the support you need from your community until something is right at your doorstep.”
Kieley along with other members of council, commended Chaulk and her family for not only enduring their hardship, but for helping others endure hardships through their many years of volunteering with the Candlelighters Association.
Councillor Jim Locke, who taught Andrew in high school, also spoke highly of the family, and of Andrew in particular.
“Andrew never asked for special treatment,” said Locke. “He worked his buns off. He didn’t want to be acknowledged and didn’t want to stand out. He was just a regular student in class. He persevered. He asked questions when he needed to. And I remember him having a wry sense of humour.”
Chaulk recalled the various challenges her family faced during Andrew’s treatment, including the impact of treatment on his overall health.
She said in some instances, the cure can also be a curse.
“As they age out of the Janeway and into the adult system, they have special needs, because the radiation and the chemo cause damage,” said Chaulk. “The radiation affects cognitive ability and reduces it in some areas.”
Chaulk, who with her husband also helped run the Children’s Cancer Camp during their tenure with the Candlelighters, recalled meeting with members of school staff, such as Locke, ahead of each new school year to discuss Andrew’s condition.
“I met with the teachers and with the school every September until Andrew graduated, and every year they took time to sit with me and give me a path,” said Chaulk. “We focused on the areas he was strong in and as a community we got him through. And so, these are the little things that don’t seem that important, but they really are.”
As per the City’s proclamation, there are about 10,000 children living with cancer in Canada today, and each year about 1,600 new cases are diagnosed, over 25 of which are children living in this province.
Despite a nearly 75 percent cure rate, childhood cancer is responsible for more deaths among Canadian children than any other disease.
Declaration in support of Indigenous Peoples
Members of Mount Pearl City Council this past Tuesday signed a declaration in support of Indigenous Peoples. Part and parcel of the declaration was a commitment to help implement the 42 Calls for Change as articulated in the First Voice Community Action Plan, Our Shared Vision. Members of First Light Justin Campbell and Heidi Dixon were in attendance for the signing of the proclamation. Members of council spoke at length as to their support of the proclamation. From left are councillors Isabelle Fry, Chelsea Lane, Jim Locke, First Light Director of Programs Heidi Dixon, Mayor Dave Aker, Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships Justin Campbell, Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley, and councillors Bill Antle and Mark Rice. Mark Squibb photo
Mayor says senior walking program a success
By Mark Squibb
Over the summer, members of Mount Pearl’s municipal enforcement division have been meeting with seniors every second week for a guided walk along the city’s trailways.
This Thursday past marked the final Safe Seniors Walk of the season.
“The initiative has been a great success,” said Mayor Dave Aker. “We’re targeting seniors and anybody who may feel a little uncomfortable walking the 70 kilometres of trails in the city.”
Aker said as many as 30 people, many of whom are members of the Senior’s Independence Group, attended each event. They met at a different location each session to mix things up and cover as much ground as possible.
“It’s nice that we can make the trails more accessible to more than just your typical, average walker,” said Aker. “It encourages physical activity, which, at the end of the day is good for people’s mental health, and it’s been great for those dealing with loneliness, because you’re going out with a small crowd. There are so many health benefits. I can’t praise our municipal enforcement division enough.”
Organizers also hosted special mug ups, complete with coffee, tea, and snacks.
Following this inaugural season, Aker said organizers will gather feedback to try and make next summer’s program even better.
Seniors, meanwhile, can join the Mount Pearl Senior’s Independence group or register for a senior fitness class at the Summit Centre.
Adult play day set for the Annex
By Mark Squibb
Elaine Marie Dunphy of Nia on the Rock and Ageless Grace and Pamela Martin-McDonald of Meridian Health & Wellness are inviting adults of Mount Pearl and beyond to come and play at the Annex.
“We’re trying to get the word out to as many people as possible and let people know how important play is for your brain, and for your overall wellness,” said Martin-McDonald. “Adulting doesn’t have to be so hard all the time. You can add in a little play.”
The duo will host an all day PlaySHOP at the Annex Saturday, October 5.
It will be a day of gentle movements, play, yoga, a scavenger hunt and rest, along with prize giveaways and snacks, and more.
“It’s a permission slip for adults to come out and do something different, something out of the norm,” said Martin-McDonald, who added adult play helps release stress, improves brain function, and stimulates creativity.
Martin-McDonald said that as folks grow older, they become more and more concerned with how they appear to the outside world, and that there is a stigma attached to play.
“Imagination is something that we tend to lose a little bit of a connection with as we grow, but the imagination is what allows us to compensate for the stress that comes with responsibilities,” said Martin-McDonald.
But is there a cost to regressing to your childhood ways, even just for a day?
In this case, yes. The cost for the all day session is $129.99.
Mount Pearl 'opens door' to help Big Brothers
By Mark Squibb
The City of Mount Pearl is the latest organization to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Newfoundland’s 75 Doors campaign, and the first municipality to do so.
The 75 Doors represent 75 young people waiting to be matched with a mentor. While the organization has enough volunteer mentors to match with the youths, it lacks the funding to do so.
“Big Brother’s Big Sisters has a significant challenge,” says Mayor Dave Aker in a video ad promoting the partnership released on September 10. “They’re at a 20-year high in terms of their waitlist. And I want people to know the larger picture, that 13 percent of those children reside here in the City of Mount Pearl. I want to make sure that people understand that this can be close to home. This campaign is essential to get the word out so we can connect with the volunteers and ensure those children in our city, our future leaders, don’t fall through the cracks today.”
The funding helps support the process necessary to match young people with a mentor. Other donors include Pippy Park Golf, CIBC, Kent, VOCM, Hickman Automotive Group, Reddy Kilowatt Credit Union, Steele Mazda, and Fortis Inc.
The donation amount wasn’t specified in the City’s announcement but following an inquiry staff confirmed for The Pearl a donation amount of $1,500.
