Welcome To

Rural Municipality of Souris West

Call For Council Nominations for Municipal Elections

Regional Government Discussion Meeting
April 9-2025 is Cancelled.
Please be advised that the gathering scheduled for Wednesday April 9th, 2025 at Souris Regional High School to discuss Regional Government has been cancelled.
The organizing committee’s intention was to ensure there was an opportunity for residents from incorporated and unincorporated areas to have an opportunity to hear background information on challenges for small municipalities and participate in a discussion about future governance options at a very early stage.
Given the current open review of the Municipal Government Act, we require more time to clarify the Province’s position on this matter.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. The survey link below provides the questions that would have been the topic of conversation at the meeting and we encourage residents of the incorporated and unincorporated areas East of the Rural Municipality of St. Peters and the Rural Municipality of Central Kings/Annandale to East Point to please take a few moments to complete the survey.
We would really value your input.
https://forms.gle/qQrQbarqZ732C4uD6

Mayor’s Message to the residents of Souris West:

As you may have heard or seen in the media, social and otherwise, the incorporated Municipalities in this area have resumed the discussion around the impact of the 2017 Municipal Government Act on their feasibility as a municipality. In particular the merits of regional government as a solution. This discussion has been dormant since the pandemic and recent inquiries have renewed interest in the discussion.

To this end the mayors and councillors of all four municipalities as well as randomly selected residents of the unincorporated municipalities met at Fortune Community Center on February 19th to initiate the discussion. The greater majority of those in attendance, as expected agreed, that as a solution to the MGA’s effect on the municipalities, the concept of regional government required more input and study and as expected wanted to see a public gathering with the same format and discussion.

As a result of that gathering 6 volunteers and representatives from each of the 4 municipalities have organized a public gathering to be held at the Souris Regional School on Wednesday April 9th at 6:30 PM.

I want to impress upon everyone that this gathering is not a debate but rather a conversation.

All residents are encouraged to attend, contribute and listen to the discussion. We are expecting a large crowd and everyone is welcome.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

Pat O’Connor

Mayor of the Rural Municipality of Souris West

It’s your community…. have your say!

What is our role as a Municipality?

The Municipalities Act in 1983 converted the existing CICs (Community Improvement Committees), including the “Community of Souris West”. In 2017 the “Community of Souris West” became the “Rural Municipality of Souris West”; being the oldest incorporated CIC on PEI since 1972.

Prior to 1972 community meetings were called “Farm Forums” and individuals took turns hosting the committee. A radio program hosted by Hartwell Daily was listened to and a highlight of the meeting.

Section 13, 14., of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) under “Municipal Services, general” – provides that every municipality established under this Act, shall provide in or for all areas of the municipality;

Fire Protection
Emergency Measures Planning

At the December 1st and 6th 2021 Souris West Council Meetings the Municipal Emergency Management Program Bylaw was read, approved and adopted.

At both of these meetings an “Inter-Municipal Agreement Bylaw” was also approved. The purpose of this agreement allows the RMSW to enter into an agreement with the Town of Souris PEI to provide the following Emergency Measures Services:

Provide Residents of Souris West access to the Town of Souris Reception Centre – “Eastern Kings Sportsplex” located at 203 Main St., Souris PE C0A 2B0
Any fees associated with the use of the Town of Souris Reception Centre by the residents of Souris West will be reimbursed by the RMSW.

The next regular meeting of the Souris West Council
June 11, 2025
6:30 p.m.
at the Souris Access PEI Boardroom - 15 Green St. Souris PE
Everyone is Welcome!
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The new municipal office hours:
Wednesday's Only
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Suite 202B - McPhee Mall, Souris
RMSW By-Election Notice:
Nominations for 2 Councillor positions will be accepted starting 30 April 2025 at the municipal office 202B MacPhee Mall between 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. and May 09, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and also at the Souris Access PEI Boardroom on May 05, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Nomination Forms can be downloaded here or picked up at the office. Municipal election info can be found at: www.peimunicipalelections.ca
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Community Details

Find your community by-laws, council meeting minutes and the agenda.

Its Your Community .. have your say!
To have matters of interest put before the Council, please contact the CAO for matters such as:

> requesting the opportunity to speak to the Council
> bringing municipal issues to the Council’s attention
> requesting information on Council activities or budgets
> making a request for grant funding

Fire Services

Currently, Souris West purchases fire protection services from the Town of Souris. These services consist of:

6 trucks; pumper – forest/brush fire – rescue
Off road rescue vehicle – utility trailer – rescue boat
New for 2022 a custom pumper truck
Support services for EMS and RCMP when needed
30 Volunteer Firemen – fully trained
Mutual agreement with neighbouring departments for assistance with structural fires
They meet every Monday – 1^st Monday is a meeting, the other 3 Mondays are spent training and/or maintaining equipment

Your Emergency Plan websites:

Government of Canada: www.GetPrepared.ca

Environment Canada: www.ec.gc.ca

The Canadian Hurricane Center: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ouragans-hurricanes

About Us: History

Who Are WE?

A little about us...

Souris West was incorporated in 1976 containing the Locality of Souris West and part of the Locality of Rollo Bay.

In the mid nineteenth century, the settlements at the mouth of Souris River , which flows into Colville Bay, were called Souris East in Lot 45 and Souris West in Lot 44.

The generally accepted belief is that the name Souris , which is French for mouse, is a relic of the grim plagues of mice which devastated the crops of the early inhabitants.

Today Souris West has a population of around 380 people. We have a beautiful school along with restaurants and lodgings with views that can’t be beat anywhere!

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