A Borden-Carleton business owner is angry about a proposed fourth gas station in the community and preparing to make his case to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC).

            Chad Ceretti will attend the three-day public hearing in Charlottetown from Feb. 25 to 27.

            The hearing is about a fourth gas station proposed for Borden-Carleton by D.P. Murphy. Ceretti owns Ceretti’s Grocery & Hardware, which also sells gas.

            He was shocked at the idea of another gas station being built in a small community of about 700 residents.

            “It just seems baffling that somebody would want a piece of such a small pie.”

            The project was met with strong opposition from the community when it was initially announced in 2023.

            Hundreds of letters were sent to IRAC voicing concern and disapproval. A petition of more than 600 signatures was also made against the project. 

            “The general feel for a project like this in our community is it's a negative feeling. Nobody wants it,” Ceretti said.

            Ceretti has been working with a team to prepare data for the IRAC hearing. It will include information on traffic reports, fuel sales and tourism numbers.

            He said tourism has only grown at a minuscule level and fuel sales have gone down.

            “Given those two points alone, it should be stamped ‘No.’”

            Ceretti sells other goods at his store like meat, produce and hardware. He uses fuel sales to subsidize these items.

            He is worried a new gas station next to his own will affect what he can sell and result in residents having to travel farther to buy what they need.

            “A little (loss) is no good, and there's going to be more than a little.”

            Matt MacFarlane, MLA for Borden-Kinkora, is also concerned about the potential losses local businesses may experience from a potential fourth gas station.

            He said family-owned fuel retailers like Ceretti’s are supported by the community.

            “Their livelihood and business, I think, will be really in jeopardy here as a result of this proposal moving into the community.”

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            MacFarlane considers the potential gas station one of the first things travelers would see when crossing over the Confederation Bridge, possibly resulting in less traffic for other businesses.

            D.P. Murphy and its contractor would need compelling evidence at IRAC’s hearing to demonstrate the need for a fourth gas station in the area, he said.

            “Careful thought needs to be given as to whether this is the best use of this particular piece of real estate, given that there are three other gas stations within close proximity in the town.”

            MacFarlane is unable to attend the IRAC hearing, which takes place on the first three days of the legislature’s spring sitting.

            He said residents requested having a public meeting with IRAC in the town, which he supports.

            “I think it would be a great opportunity for IRAC to hear even more information with respect to how people feel about this particular project.”

            Jase Sherry, 18, is one community member who strongly opposes a fourth gas station.

            The Albany, P.E.I. resident used to work for Ceretti, helping with tasks like managing cash and stocking shelves.

            He said family-owned gas stations like Ceretti’s store and Howatt’s Shell, located nearby, have always helped people in the community and should be considered landmarks.

            “There (are) two gas stations already there three minutes apart from each other. I just don’t think that there’s another fit for another one. It just wouldn’t work.”

            Sherry signed a petition opposing the fourth gas station.

            He may also attend the IRAC hearing.

            “I just don’t think it’s fair for Danny Murphy to come in and do this to our community,” Sherry said.

            The proposed plan also includes a Tim Horton’s, a convenience store and electric vehicle charging stations, all of which already exist in Borden-Carleton.

            Ceretti fears the sense of community instilled in his business will be lost if D.P. Murphy is able to move forward with a fourth gas station.

            He hopes people will continue to speak out against the project leading up to the hearing.

            “There's just nothing good to be gained from this if it got approved. We're hoping that common sense will once again become a factor.”

Borden-Kinkora MLA Matt MacFarlane is concerned that a potential fourth gas station in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I. could result in potential losses for local established businesses. Blaine Auld photo.