Wharf Repairs, Health Care Gaps and Sharks in Charlotte County

A recent episode of This Week Uncut on CHCO-TV turned its attention to several pressing civic issues in Charlotte County, ranging from infrastructure and health care to community research and environmental study.

In St. Andrews, debate continues over the Wharf and Market Square refurbishment project. The town commissioned a $25,000 study by GEMTEC, which concluded that proposed construction would have minimal impact on the shoreline. Federal funding for the work—first secured in 2019—is set to expire in March 2026, adding pressure to move forward. Still, residents remain divided. At a recent council meeting, one resident called the wharf “the identity of St. Andrews,” stressing its cultural and historic value. The first third of the structure is already under weight restrictions, and while few dispute the need for repairs, others warned against moving too quickly. “Once you do these things, you can’t undo them,” one resident cautioned.

Across the river in St. Stephen, attention shifted to health care access. The town is developing a collaborative care clinic as part of a provincial plan to expand primary care. Staff already hired include a social worker, a respiratory therapist, and a physician, with hopes that the model will ease the shortage of family doctors. Officials project that consistent access could be in place by 2029, though Deputy Mayor Ghislaine Wheaton acknowledged the urgency: “If you’re sick and you need a doctor, you’d like to have one now.”

Retention remains a challenge, but local leaders are working to integrate new medical professionals into the community. Councillor Emily Rodas noted that beyond provincial incentive programs, doctors are being encouraged to take part in local activities, including sports, to build ties and strengthen long-term commitment.

The episode also spotlighted Nursing Homes Without Walls, a program designed to help seniors stay in their homes longer while easing pressure on long-term care facilities. Caroline Davies of the Passamaquoddy Lodge Board and Emma Keech of the Charlotte County Seniors Resource Centre highlighted how supports such as transportation and health navigation are tailored to community needs.

Finally, the program featured new marine research in Passamaquoddy Bay. Dr. Steve Crawford is leading a study to determine whether the area could serve as a breeding ground for white sharks. Volunteer researcher Allistair Fox noted strong community interest: “There seems to be a mystique about sharks because they are so elusive.”