Latest news with #Charlottetown
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Retired P.E.I. Catholic priest facing historical sex-related charges
Social Sharing A retired Roman Catholic priest on Prince Edward Island is facing sex-related charges that go back to the late 1980s. RCMP began an investigation that led to charges being laid against Rev. Brendon Earl Gallant, 79, after the alleged victim came forward two years ago. He made his first appearance in provincial court in Georgetown on May 22. Proceedings were adjourned to give him time to get a lawyer. None of the allegations have been proven in court and Gallant has not yet entered any pleas. The charges filed in Kings County include sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching, and cite a single victim who was under the age of 14 at the time of the alleged offences. The location cited in the documents was St. Margaret's, one of the many communities Gallant served over his time in the priesthood. Diocese posts statement "The Diocese of Charlottetown has learned that a retired priest made an appearance in court recently where he faced charges related to sexual offences involving a minor," the diocese wrote in a statement posted to its website. "We can confirm the priest is not in active ministry. We invite prayers for all affected by this news. We are committed to ensuring our churches are safe environments." Gallant also served as a priest at Catholic churches in Cardigan, Little Pond, St. Georges, Georgetown, Souris, Charlottetown, Glenwood, Brae, Alberton, Bloomfield, Foxley River, St. Charles and Burton before retiring after his last posting in Tignish in 2018. The list is long because some Catholic priests on P.E.I. are responsible for multiple smaller communities at the same time, driving among them for weekend Mass and other services. In an email correspondence with CBC News, the chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown, Fr. Chris Sherren, said they learned about the charges the day before Gallant's first appearance. However, he said the diocese had been aware Gallant might be under investigation. "We knew it involved potential sexual misconduct, so we immediately removed him from active ministry as a precaution while we waited to see what would happen with the investigation," Sherren wrote. Sherren also confirmed Gallant was a priest in Kings County during the time frame covered by the allegations. The chancellor said the specific allegations were a surprise to him. In the statement posted to the diocese website, officials said the organization has a safe environment policy and anyone who wishes to report misconduct by a member of the clergy, lay staff or volunteer should call the diocese office or report directly to police. No other known victims In response to a request from CBC News, the P.E.I. RCMP issued a news release late Friday afternoon. "Any time there is a crime of this nature, there is always the concern that there are other victims. At this stage, we have no information showing other incidents," Cpl. Gavin Moore said in the release. "A sexual assault complaint can be made at any time, and there is no statute of limitations as to how far back the assault happened."
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
More patients using self-registration kiosks at P.E.I.'s 2 main hospitals, official says
Social Sharing Health P.E.I.'s self-registration kiosks are seeing an increase in use since they were put in last fall, a hospital manager says. The kiosks were installed in November 2024 at Prince County Hospital in Summerside and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. "The idea behind it is to allow patients to self-register for scheduled appointments that they have for certain clinics," said Anne Douglas-Oakley, the manager of health records, admitting and telecommunications at PCH. "It's helping reduce wait times for registrations for people that would like to use it." It's most often used by people who come in for daily appointments — for example, to get a dressing changed on a wound or surgical site. In the first few months of the kiosks being in place, only a handful of people used them per day, Douglas-Oakley said. Now, about 15 or 20 people are using them each day, she said. Patients swipe health cards The installation of the kiosks is part of Health P.E.I.'s five-year digital health strategy. Patients can swipe their health card at the kiosk, where their appointment information shows up on a screen. Once patients confirm their personal information, their paperwork is sent to the clinic they are visiting for their appointment, Douglas-Oakley said. It's just another way for a patient to register. — Anne Douglas-Oakley While the option to self-register is available to patients, the option to speak face-to-face with a registration clerk remains available. Douglas-Oakley said the choice is comparable to the self-checkout option at the grocery store. "Some people prefer to use the self-checkout versus the cashier. Both are available, and it's just whatever they choose," she said. "Having the kiosks come in is not eliminating any jobs… It's just another way for a patient to register." Where the kiosks are used The kiosks are available only at the QEH and PCH ambulatory clinics, which register more than 300 outpatients a day for various services, Douglas-Oakley said. Laboratory and diagnostic imaging clinics still require face-to-face registration with a clerk. There are no plans to expand self-registration kiosks to emergency departments, Douglas-Oakley said.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Jennifer McCarron named interim chief of Charlottetown Police Services
Charlottetown's police force will soon be under new leadership. Deputy Chief Jennifer McCarron has been appointed interim chief of police, making her the first woman to lead the department in its history, the city said in a news release Friday. Her appointment was made by current Chief Brad MacConnell, who will step down from the role to become Charlottetown's Chief Administrative Officer on June 16, the same day McCarron officially takes over. McCarron has been with the department for more than 30 years and has served as the city's deputy police chief since April 2021. In her current role, she oversees major crime, street crime, bylaw, property and identification units, the release said. "It's an honour to step into this role during this time of change," McCarron was quoted as saying in the release. "I'm committed to providing steady leadership, supporting our dedicated officers and staff, and continuing to serve the community." The city said it will launch a competition for a permanent police chief in the coming weeks.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Invasive goldfish seem to be thriving in a central P.E.I. pond, and naturalists aren't happy
A P.E.I. watershed group and a provincial biologist are urging people to think carefully before buying goldfish, or at least before releasing them into the wild. The fish are invasive, and they seem to be reproducing in a freshwater pond north of Charlottetown. CBC's Sheehan Desjardins reports.
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
City of Charlottetown shares plan to make Grafton Street safer and more efficient
Social Sharing Charlottetown residents are getting a first look at the city's plan to make Grafton Street safer and more efficient, which is in line with its 10-year active transportation plan. The city held an open house on Wednesday to present concept designs for the Grafton Street Master Plan. This key corridor connecting the Hillsborough Bridge to the downtown core will see improvements focused on the stretch between Edward Street and West Street. Richard MacEwen, director of community services for the city, said the plan was designed to make the street safer for everyone — pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. "Safety is the number one priority when we're looking at these projects," MacEwen told CBC News. "We want to improve the safety access throughout the city. We want people to feel comfortable, on their bikes, when they're walking." Residents can provide feedback on the city's website. The city is gathering community and stakeholder feedback before finalizing the plan, which will then be presented to city council for approval. Improving traffic flow, accessibility At the open house, residents were shown several concept designs, including proposals to improve safety and traffic flow at places like the intersection of Pownal Street and Edward Street. The city says vehicle volumes at these spots suggest traffic signals are warranted. The plan also recommends accessibility improvements. These include pedestrian ramps and curb extensions, which reduce crossing distances and make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians, and vice versa. Currently, many intersections along Grafton Street lack things like textured ground surfaces that help visually impaired people navigate safely. In cases where tactile warning surface indicators do exist, they often aren't configured in a standardized way, the plan notes. Transit changes Changes to the bus stops by the Confederation Centre could also be coming. Two options are under consideration. One is to introduce three parallel bus layby stops on the eastbound side and one on the westbound side of Grafton Street. The other is to build three angled layby stops eastbound and one parallel stop westbound. Both options include formalized pedestrian landing pads for passengers to board and exit. These changes would affect more than a dozen parking spaces across the street from the Holman Grand Hotel and Confederation Court Mall, though. "Again, it's thinking about public safety, and where it's easy for people to get on and off a bus safely," MacEwen said. Charlottetown resident David Daughton said he supports these proposals. "That has some merit, in terms of not having people behind buses with flashing lights on like we have now. And half the people know they're allowed to pass a slow-moving vehicle. The other people are sitting there waiting because they don't know what's going on," Daughton said. "You can't have buses blocking the road all the time, every time they want to pick up people." Still, Daughton raised a concern about the visibility of pedestrian crossings along Grafton Street due to faded road paint. "If you and I go down to… downtown now, at least 50 per cent of the crossings will be invisible because there is no white stripe left on the crossing, which is dangerous," he said. Daughton added that other countries have found solutions for permanent, year-round crossing markers, and he hopes Charlottetown can do the same.
