Philip Brown

Mayoral Candidate

A life-long resident and champion of Charlottetown, I was born and raised downtown before making my home in the Spring Park area. My wife Lori and I have a daughter, Emma, and a son Alec.

I have spent my entire life working to strengthen our communities and our city, working as a businessperson, educator, volunteer, City Councillor, and mayor of Charlottetown. I have shown my dedication to our city in every facet of my life, and I will continue to do so. My goal is and always has been to make Charlottetown the best it can be for everyone now and for future generations.

Serving as mayor of Charlottetown has been the honour and privilege of a lifetime, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. On November 2, I humbly ask for your support so we can continue to build a better, brighter future for all the residents of Charlottetown.

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All responses

Question 1

As Charlottetown continues to grow, what do you believe the City needs to do to ensure that fire protection and emergency response capabilities keep pace with that growth?

With the 2026-27 budget providing $6 million towards a new third fire station and $2 million for a new fire truck, the City will continue to build on this to address staffing, equipment and ongoing operating costs required to support the needs of a growing city.

Question 2

If the City is able to forecast population growth and plan for increased development density, should it also be forecasting the corresponding fire-service requirements? What information and analysis should the City have to determine what fire-service capacity Charlottetown will need over the next 5–10 years?

Yes. As Charlottetown grows, the City will continue to regularly assess the effects on emergency demand, station coverage, equipment and staffing, and use that analysis to guide long-term capital and operating budgets.

Question 3

Charlottetown is considering changes to its development regulations that could allow for increased density, accessory dwelling units, taller and more complex structures, and continued commercial and industrial growth. Do you believe the City's current approach to planning and approving development adequately considers the capacity of municipal services, including fire protection and emergency response? Why or why not? How should the City ensure that fire protection and emergency response capabilities keep pace with the type, scale and location of development being approved?
Do you believe fire-service capacity should be explicitly incorporated into the City's growth and development planning process? If so, how?

The City considers municipal capacity in its development decisions, but we can and must continue to improve. As Mayor, I will ensure that major developmental decisions are informed by professional advice on fire-service capacity, including emergency access, water supply, station coverage, equipment and staffing. Charlottetown’s growth must be matched by responsible planning that protects public safety.

Question 4

How should the City approach long-term fire department staffing and workforce planning?

As Mayor, I will support a phased, long-term workforce plan based on the professional advice of the Fire Chief and his/her Deputy Fire Chief. The plan should address recruitment, retirements, relief coverage, training and the needs of the third station, with required investments incorporated into future City budgets.

Question 5

Charlottetown relies heavily on volunteer firefighters to provide emergency response. As the city grows and the demands placed on the fire service continue to increase, do you believe the current balance between career and volunteer firefighters is sustainable?
How should the City determine whether its existing career and volunteer staffing model has sufficient capacity to meet current and future demand?

Charlottetown’s volunteer firefighters are essential to our community, but our staffing model must evolve as the city grows. As Mayor, I will work with the Fire Chief and their Deputy to find the right balance of career and volunteer firefighters to maintain a reliable and safe response.

Question 6

Operational decisions belong to the Fire Chief and professional staff. What do you believe the mayor and City Council's responsibility is when the Fire Chief tells Council that the department requires additional resources?
How would you balance professional advice from the Fire Chief with financial constraints and other competing municipal priorities?

Public safety is a fundamental responsibility of Council. When the Fire Chief identifies a need, Council must seriously consider the professional advice, examine the risks and costs, and be accountable for its decision. As Mayor, I will support transparent decisions and, where resources cannot be provided immediately, a clear plan to address those needs through future budgets.

Question 7

If you were presented with evidence that the fire service required significant additional investment, how would you determine whether those investments should take priority over other City projects?
What information or analysis would you want to see before making that decision?

Council must weigh the evidence, set clear priorities and be accountable for its decisions. When public safety is at risk, necessary fire-service investments must top all of our priorities.

Question 8

The Fire Underwriters Survey assessment is expected to provide recommendations concerning Charlottetown's fire protection capabilities, including the distribution and staffing of fire stations. How should the City use that type of professional assessment when making long-term decisions about the fire department?
Would you view such recommendations as a target the City should work toward, one factor among many, or something else?

The assessment should be an important guide for long-term planning. I support working with the Fire Chief and Council to prioritize its recommendations, understand the costs and risks, and incorporate necessary investments into future budgets.

Question 9

The Fire Underwriters Survey recently completed an assessment of Charlottetown's fire protection capabilities. Do you support making the completed report publicly available for residents to review?

Yes. Residents deserve transparency about the state of their fire service and the evidence guiding Council’s decisions. I support releasing the report, subject only to any necessary legal, privacy or security restrictions.

Question 10

Imagine that you are elected mayor and are sitting down with the Fire Chief for your first detailed briefing on the future of the Charlottetown Fire Department. What is the first question you would ask the Fire Chief, and why?

I would ask: "What are the most significant risks facing Charlottetown’s fire service over the next five to ten years, and what decisions does Council need to make now?”

This would help Council identify immediate priorities and plan responsibly for future growth.

Question 11

Looking five to ten years into the future, where do you believe Charlottetown's fire service should be, and what would you want to accomplish during your term as mayor to help get it there?

Charlottetown should have three properly equipped stations and a sustainable staffing model. As Mayor, I would support completing the third station and incorporating future staffing, equipment and operating needs into the City’s long-term financial planning.

Question 12

Finally, what is the single most important thing you would do during your term to improve public safety through the Charlottetown Fire Department?

I support a comprehensive, long-term fire-service plan that connects staffing, stations, equipment and training with Charlottetown’s growth. The plan should establish clear priorities, responsible investments and public accountability for progress.