Your Town Matters on CHCO-TV: Eastern Charlotte Mayor John Craig

On a recent episode of Your Town Matters on CHCO-TV, Eastern Charlotte Mayor John Craig detailed a series of new initiatives aimed at closing long-standing service gaps and laying the groundwork for the municipality’s future. From childcare access and roadwork to recreational development and emergency response, the updates reflect a growing emphasis on both the physical and social infrastructure of the community.

The most immediate change will be the construction of a new childcare facility on J.O. Spinney Drive, which will provide 82 spaces for both preschool and school-aged children. Backed by federal and provincial funding and operated in partnership with the YMCA, the centre is designed to address a critical shortage in local childcare services. “If we don’t become part of the solution here, it won’t happen,” Craig told host Vicki Hogarth.

The YMCA’s expanding presence in Eastern Charlotte was another focal point. According to Craig, YMCA programs have significantly increased community engagement, with an estimated 7,000 visits projected this year alone. He credited much of that momentum to coordinator Paige Scott, whose upcoming departure was noted during the broadcast. “We’re losing Paige Scott, but we’re confident the YMCA will find someone to fill her shoes,” Craig said.

In a move expected to boost both recreation and youth involvement, Eastern Charlotte will soon welcome a junior-level NCDC hockey team. Players will live with local families and attend area schools, a model designed to strengthen ties between the team and the broader community. “These players will become part of the school system and the community,” Craig said, emphasizing the league’s commitment to integration as well as sport.

Infrastructure renewal is also underway. A $680,000 investment will fund paving work on five key streets this summer, part of a broader effort to address deferred maintenance. “We’re catching up where we need to,” Craig said, citing a history of underinvestment.

Water safety in Blacks Harbour remains a pressing concern. Craig confirmed that municipal engineers have been tasked with presenting solutions at the next council meeting. “Council considers this a number one priority,” he said, acknowledging growing public pressure for a long-term fix.

Emergency response capacity was another key topic. In response to ongoing concerns about ambulance response times in rural areas, Eastern Charlotte has placed greater responsibility on its fire department. The municipality now employs a full-time fire chief, Justin Johnson, who is also a certified paramedic. “We need someone here who can respond to life-threatening situations quickly,” Craig explained.

The mayor closed the segment by marking recent milestones in the community, including the 90th birthdays of residents Cynthia Leavitt and Ted Hatt, as well as the passing of former mayor Stan Smith. Though unrelated to the day’s policy announcements, these acknowledgments served as reminders of the region’s continuity even amid ongoing change.

The episode painted a picture of a municipality where civic investments are increasingly driven by community need rather than provincial mandates—an approach that positions infrastructure, inclusion, and local leadership as central to Eastern Charlotte’s long-term planning.