Residents of Savage Harbour on Prince Edward Island’s North Shore have narrowed down the options for renaming their community to five choices. The community’s current name was identified as outdated or demeaning as part of a national initiative. The province is conducting community meetings this fall to gather feedback on the renaming process. The second meeting, attended by approximately 80 residents, took place on Monday night.
Ryan Pineau, who represents Prince Edward Island on the Geographical Names Board of Canada, mentioned that a provincial portal for name suggestions was open in October and received 91 submissions by the end of the month. Pineau expressed surprise at the number of submissions, stating it exceeded expectations.
The list of 91 submissions was reduced to 68 after removing duplicates. At the meeting, these names were further narrowed down to five options proposed by local residents: Seaside Harbour, Wild Harbour, Danger Bay, Northside, and Shoal Harbour. Pineau confirmed that all five names align with community naming guidelines and are neither derogatory nor duplicates.
The next step in the renaming process involves an in-person vote on the final name scheduled for December 1 at Mount Stewart Consolidated School from 7 to 9 p.m. Residents will need to provide proof of identification and residency. The voting will use a ranked ballot system, allowing residents to prioritize their preferred name choices.
In addition to the community name, residents will also vote on new names for the bay and road within the area. The same name chosen for the community could be adopted for both the bay and road. Alternative options for the bay include Canavoy Bay, Crowbush Cove Bay, Pleasant View Bay, and Point View Bay. For the road, additional choices consist of Point Deroche Road, Crowbush Harbour Road, Danger Bay Road, Harbour Point Road, and Route 218.
After the community votes, an advisory committee will submit the selected names to the government for approval. The Executive council will review the names and develop an implementation plan for the official rollout. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming meeting without the need for RSVP, but they can register online if they prefer.