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Both the former and current MLAs for Borden-Kinkora are speaking out against a fourth gas station being built in the town at the foot of the Confederation Bridge.
Jamie Fox — the former Progressive Conservative MLA for the area and the former owner of the Esso gas station in Borden-Carleton — said he was disappointed in the decision to place another gas station in the community.
Fox said the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, which approved the retail gas licence for the project this week, “does not understand the petroleum industry.”
“To add a fourth station to an area where there’s already three existing stations providing every bit of service that the travelling public and the local community would need shows me that IRAC is out of touch with what reality actually is,” Fox said.
Danny Murphy, president of D.P. Murphy Group of Companies, wants to build a 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and two 3,000-square-foot retail spaces in the town.
IRAC’s approval was necessary to obtain a licence to sell gas, but not to build the development.
Cullen Mullally, legal counsel for D.P. Murphy, said the company is pleased with the decision.
“It’s been a long, arduous process, but we’re happy to finally get some news and clarity on it,” he said.
In support of its application, D.P. Murphy noted the development’s proximity to the Confederation Bridge and the number of motorists that pass through the community.
Fox, however, said that argument “doesn’t hold water.”
Jamie Fox, a former MLA and owner of the Esso gas station in Borden-Carleton, says IRAC ‘doesn’t understand the retail gas market.’ (CBC)
“IRAC’s required to show that a need is not being fulfilled. And if you look at all three gas stations, the need is being provided — has been for many, many years,” he said.
“To add a fourth station when the need hasn’t changed shows me that IRAC doesn’t understand the retail gas market as it flows.”
Fox said there has not been enough of a traffic increase in the area to require another gas station, and also pointed to today’s more fuel-efficient vehicles lowering gas consumption.
‘Everyone was opposed’
Current Borden-Kinkora MLA and P.E.I. Green Party Leader Matt MacFarlane also expressed disappointment in the project’s approval.
He pointed to the public’s opposition, noting more than 400 letters and emails and two petitions with more than 1,000 names submitted to IRAC that were against the project.
“It was unanimous. Everyone was opposed to the idea. And yet here we are,” MacFarlane said.
Green Party Leader Matt MacFarlane says he has heard a lot of opposition to a fourth gas station in Borden-Carleton. (Rick Gibbs/CBC)
Mullally, however, noted that with the recently decreased toll to cross the Confederation Bridge, traffic could increase in the area.
“Our research shows pretty strongly that bridge crossing numbers correlate strongly with regional gas sales,” Mullally said. “We’re excited about what that signifies for the viability of all the gas retailers in the area.”
In its decision, IRAC states that it considers the needs of the driving public and not the those of existing businesses.
MacFarlane said the regulator’s criteria should look at “public interest, convenience, necessity and demand,” adding the town has fewer than 800 people and already has three gas stations to serve them.
“I think the public’s interest and the public feedback should have been paramount consideration,” MacFarlane said.
“Instead, it seems there is more consideration being given to the applicant’s business proposal and to potential of tourist traffic coming into the province.”
Fate of proposed Borden-Carleton gas station now in IRAC’s hands as hearings wrap up
The future of D.P. Murphy’s controversial development near the Confederation Bridge is now up to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission after three days of hearings wrapped up this week. The 24-hour Irving gas station, Tim Hortons, convenience store and retail space would be built next to a store owned by Chad Ceretti, who’s fighting the plans. CBC’s Wayne Thibodeau reports.
Mullally acknowledged the opposition to the develpment, but said D.P. Murphy believes there is enough room in the area for all four gas businesses.
The company’s next steps include applying to the Town of Borden-Carleton for development permits. D.P. Murphy also needs to finalize a petroleum supply agreement with its gas supplier, Irving.
Mullally said D.P. Murphy already owns the land.
“Given that we’ve already received an approval in principle from the municipality, our hope is that this won’t be too onerous of a process,” he said.
‘Extremely disappointed’
Chad Ceretti, who owns Ceretti’s Grocery and Hardware, which is located next to D.P. Murphy’s proposed development, expressed concern in the past about what a fourth gas station could mean for his business. He made submissions against the proposal during the public hearings at IRAC.
“I’m extremely disappointed and very surprised and concerned for the future,” Ceretti said in a statement to CBC News on Thursday.
MacFarlane said he has already heard talk of an appeal of IRAC’s decision.
“The other gas station owners in the community were quite clear that it is going to be very difficult to survive,” he said.
“I think it has the real potential to be bad news for the community on the basis of the potential closure of these … businesses that give back so much to the community.”
