We are here to work with all newcomers and new residents to the rural regions of Western, Central, and Eastern PEI. Whether you’re moving to PEI from another country or another province, whether temporarily or permanently, we are here to help.
CBDC – Western PEI
455 Main Street
Alberton, PE, C0B 1B0
(P) 902 853 3636
(E) Maxine.Rennie@cbdc.ca
Maxine is the Executive Director for the CBDC – West Prince Ventures Ltd. and the Program Lead for the Community Navigator Program. Maxine was born and raised in Western PEI and she has an impressive 32 years of experience in Community development with the CBDC WPVL! Maxine obtained her MBA at UPEI and when she’s not helping develop rural communities she keeps plenty busy at her family’s Potato and Beef Farm. Her love for Western PEI shines through and her contribution can be felt throughout.
455 Main Street
Alberton, PE, C0B 1B0
(P) 902-853-3636
(E) Scott.Smith@cbdc.ca
Scott Smith is a Western PEI Community Navigator, hailing from the rural community of Freeland, PEI. A 2009 graduate of the BBA Cooperative Education program at UPEI, he loves to travel, meet new people, and explore the richness & diversity of new cultures. Scott understands firsthand the excitement & challenges of being new to a place, after learning Spanish and having lived & worked in the Dominican Republic for 4.5 years. He is passionate about welcoming others and supporting newcomers & new residents to rural PEI as they settle into living and working in the Western region.
Prior to his navigator role, he embraced the spirit of welcoming others as the Innkeeper and General Manager of the West Point Lighthouse Inn & Museum for three years, while also expanding his business skills with various positions at the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in the off-season. His fondness of Island life is easily transferred to newcomers who will come to love the Island for all that it has to offer. Together we can grow stronger, more diverse communities for all. Scott suggests exploring all the beautiful beaches and shorelines that PEI has to offer.
455 Main Street
Alberton, PE, C0B 1B0
(P) 902-853-3636
(E) Rommel.Nacion@cbdc.ca
Rommel Nacion is a teacher and a community events volunteer. He has 18 years of teaching experiences in two Asian countries — 16 years in the Philippines and 2 years in Thailand. Prior to his decision coming to Canada, he also served as a trainer to online ESL teachers for Korean students for 15 months.
He immigrated in Canada last May 2021 and immediately fell in love with the rustic lifestyle in Tignish after living most of his life in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life . He currently works as an account clerk and in-house language trainer to foreign workers in the fisheries.
He has been actively engaged in volunteer works to community events for immigrants around the Western part of PEI, and has closely been working with the Community Navigator as a facilitator of English conversations for immigrants and on call emcee and/or facilitator during Cultural celebration events.
Currently, he is filling the role of an interim Community Navigator for the Western PEI. He enjoys his free time playing silly games with his 10-year old son and concocting oriental dishes that his wife and son enjoy.
455 Main Street
Alberton, PE, C0B 1B0
(P) 902-853-3636
(E) Crystal.Dumas@cbdc.ca
Crystal Dumas is a Western PEI Community Navigators, originally from Manitoba, Crystal understands not only the excitement but the challenges that moving to a new place can present.
Prior to relocating to PEI Crystal worked for the Manitoba Provincial government for over 19 years in Community Development, specifically with Indigenous and Northern Communities.
Crystal has a deep love for PEI and visited Western PEI for almost 15 years before making it home. She still marvels at all the Island has to offer from beaches to trail walking to the beautiful landscape, PEI is a year round beauty.
106 Linkletter Ave
Central Bedeque PE C0B 1G0
(P) 902-598-7560
(E) JulieAnn.Mabana@cbdc.ca
Julie Ann Mabana is a Central Community Navigator located in Central Bedeque. Julie Ann grew up in Bicol, Philippines. She’s a graduate of Business Accounting and is currently studying Office Administration.
She started as Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) in Alberta, Canada in 2012 and moved to Alberton, PE in 2017. She faced many challenges as TFW, but through perseverance she is now a Permanent Resident. Prior to becoming part of PEI Community Navigator Team, she worked as the PEI Migrant Workers Support Program Coordinator and was able to support Temporary Foreign Workers’ access resources while also assisting employers learn their role and responsibilities with the TFW program.
Julie Ann is outgoing person that is easy to be with and reach out to when support is needed. She loves the beautiful people of PEI, for their welcoming and warm personalities. She is looking forward to connecting and supporting newcomers and new residents with their settlement needs while working with community members to build welcoming and inclusive communities for all.
106 Linkletter Ave
Central Bedeque PE C0B 1G0
(P) 902–786-5441
(E) Kristi.petro@cbdc.ca
Kristi Petro is a Central PEI Community Navigator. Originally from Albania, she has lived in various countries in recent years but has called Prince Edward Island home since 2020. From the very beginning, she fell in love with PEI’s red sands, stunning beaches, and cozy winters. She has a passion for road trips, camping, and photographing PEI’s most picturesque spots.
With a background in journalism, Kristi has spent the past 8 years working together with individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, which has enabled her to learn and connect with people from all walks of life.
Kristi is passionate about community service. She volunteers as a teacher for children’s classes and facilitates youth groups focused on developing their capacities to serve their communities better.
She looks forward to connecting with new friends and collaborating to build vibrant communities.
Montague Business Development Centre
544 Main Street Suite 102
Montague, PE
(P) 902-969-5989
(E) Lindee.Gallant@cbdc.ca
Lindee Gallant is an Eastern Community Navigator; She was born and raised in the Montague region. Lindee loves to spend time outdoors and marvels at the beauty of PEI. With a lifetime of experiences living in the region she has some amazing recommendations of where to go to fall in love with PEI, and loves helping her clients gather together in some of these wonderful spaces.
Lindee has a background in PEI’s science sector and the tourism industry. She truly loves hearing the life stories of everyone who moves to Eastern PEI. She looks forward to meeting with you at The Montague Business Development Centre at 544 Main Street, Montague.
Montague Business Centre, LaunchPad PEI
544 Main Street Suite 102
Montague, PE
(P) 902-786-9942
(E) Rachel.Buell@cbdc.ca
Rachel Buell is an Eastern PEI Community Navigator in the Montague office at 544 Main Street! Rachel was born and raised in Eastern PEI and truly loves Island life. Rachel loves to travel, explore new places and experience new cultures, having spent 6 years living in British Columbia and travelling abroad often.
Rachel has experience in community engagement with an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a Human Services Certificate and genuinely loves connecting with others. Rachel is eager to get to know the new residents of Eastern PEI, and excited for the connections she will make.
