Belfast wants to expand its borders, potentially doubling its population

Belfast, in southeastern P.E.I., is looking at expanding its borders — a move municipal officials say could double the rural municipality's population. 

Bob Brooks, chief administrative officer for Belfast, said community officials are looking at annexing between 12 to 17 surrounding unincorporated areas. 

Belfast's border currently runs from Orwell Cove to Point Prim and Pinette, and all the way down to Wood Islands. Its population is more than 1,600, according to the most recent census.

Brooks said the annexation process is important for Belfast's future as a rural municipality and for its growth, but officials want to hear from people who live in the surrounding communities about whether they want to join. 

"We really want to have some like-minded, unincorporated communities join us to remain as a rural municipality with rural interests," he said.

Belfast started looking into annexation over a year ago and is still in the early stages of a long process, said Coun. Katherine Bryson, chair of the municipality's annexation subcommittee.

Now that officials have identified areas they feel would fit their "rural focus," Bryson said they are attempting to secure federal funding to help the process along. The next steps include public consultations and looking for a consultant to help with the annexation.

"We as a municipality will not be pushing this on anyone," she said. "When we made the decision to start to look into this process, it would only be if we all agree on it."

Brooks said Belfast has informed Three Rivers, Murray Harbour and Murray River about the plans to expand. He said officials with those communities all seem to be interested and supportive of the process. 

In a statement, the P.E.I. government said it encourages municipalities looking to restructure to consult with residents and communities. 

There are currently 57 municipalities in the Island. 

"The province of Prince Edward Island values the input local governments bring to the table in finding approaches that improve sustainable service delivery for their residents," the statement said.

According to municipal meeting minutes, the next public meeting on the Belfast annexation process will take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Rural Municipality of Belfast office in Wood Islands. An online post indicates the meeting will be held upstairs at the Wood Islands Market, which is at the same address. CBC News called the municipality to confirm the location, but did not receive a response.

People from the municipality and surrounding areas are invited to attend.