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COMMENTARY: Charlottetown’s development engine has stalled. It didn’t have to

In my last article, I wrote about the risks of the government stepping too far into commercial development. I focused on one building, the Atlantic Technology Centre. But the issue is broader. One of the main drivers of commercial development in Charlottetown has lost its way: the Charlottetown Area Development Corporation.

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The CADC was created in 1974 to do something specific. It emerged from the Comprehensive Development Plan of the 1960s, a serious effort championed by visionary Premier Alex Campbell, who was arguably one of our best premiers. The goal was clear: diversify and strengthen Prince Edward Island’s economy by assembling land, taking calculated risks, and helping shape a more vibrant capital city.

And for a time, it worked. The CADC played a central role in transforming Charlottetown’s waterfront from an industrial backdoor into a public and economic asset. Confederation Landing, Peake’s Wharf and the Convention Centre were not accidents. They reflected a clear mandate, backed by leadership that understood both public purpose and market reality.

That leadership was not incidental. The CADC was guided by experienced business people, including its first chair, David A. Darby, and sharp businessmen like Fred Hyndman. The model was straightforward: set direction, apply discipline and execute projects that would not happen........

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