Amendments to the Port Hood Municipal Planning Strategy
On October 17, 2024 the Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness approved the following amendments:
- Amendments to the Port Hood Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw to enable the development of private roads in the Port Hood Plan Area.
As required by the Municipal Government Act these amendments were reviewed by the Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs and determined not to require further provincial review or approval. These amendments therefore come into effect with the publishing of this advertisement.
Copies of the planning documents and staff report, providing more detailed information on the file, can be inspected at the office of the Eastern District Planning Commission, 606 Reeves Street, Unit 3, Port Hawkesbury between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays (excluding statutory holidays) or at edpc.ca or by contacting (902) 625-5361 or Toll-Free 1-888-625-5361.
Posted to the Municipality of the County of Inverness website on December 18, 2024 in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Government Act.
Your future, your voice in Inverness County
Want to help shape the future of your community? The Municipality of Inverness County is hosting youth engagement sessions where you can share your ideas, priorities, and challenges. This is your chance to speak up, be heard, and directly influence future projects that impact the youth of Inverness County. Plus, you’ll connect with other local young people, share experiences, and have a say in decisions that affect your life.
Who should join?
If you’re between 16 and 30 and call Inverness County home, we want to hear from you! Whether you live here now, grew up here and moved away, or are a newcomer to the area, these sessions are for YOU.
What to expect
Come ready to share your thoughts in an interactive session. You’ll get to hear about exciting ideas from the municipality, and then take part in brainstorming activities and group discussions to tackle the challenges and dreams of youth in Inverness County. And don’t worry, there will be light snacks and a chance to win some awesome door prizes – just in time for the holidays!
When and where
- Thursday, December 19 – Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, Judique | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday, December 20 – Inverness County Centre for the Arts, Inverness | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Saturday, December 21 – Canton Culturel, Cheticamp | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Bilingual session)
How to sign up
The event is free, but we’d love for you to register so we know you’re coming!
This is your chance to make an impact, so don’t miss out – we can’t wait to hear from you and work together to shape the future of Inverness County!
Any questions can be directed to Project Coordinator, Siobhan Beaton: siobhan.beaton@invernesscounty.ca
Sale of surplus equipment
The Municipality of Inverness County is inviting bids on the sale of surplus vehicles and equipment.
Full information about this process, including how to submit a bid, is available at procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/MCI-TEN-2024-013
The following is a complete list of the vehicles and equipment included in the surplus sale. The municipality is not responsible for any costs relating to the removal of the vehicles/equipment.
| Vehicle / equipment description | |
| 1. 2014 Ford F-150 | 10. Industrial Sandblaster |
| 2. 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 | 11. Build-A-Box Shoring Box |
| 3. 2002 Midland Tandem Pup Trailer | 12. Hydraulic Cooler with Electric Fan |
| 4. 2013 Load Trail Dump Trailer | 13. Grills for International Trucks |
| 5. 2005 Bobcat 5220 | 14. Power Heated Mirror for F-150 Ford (‘11-’14) |
| 6. 2000 Leeboy Asphalt Spreader | 15. Key Making Machine & Key Rack |
| 7. Fisher Spreader | 16. KIP 7170 Multifunction Printer |
| 8. Plate Tamper for Backhoe | 17. 2007 JCB Backhoe Loader (4CX-14) |
| 9. Brush for Bobcat Skidsteer | 18. 2005 International Eagle |
All vehicles and equipment are located at the Public Works Facility at 15109 Highway 19, Inverness, NS.
Viewing will take place Monday to Friday, 9 am-3 pm until close of business on Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Tender bids must be received no later than 2 pm, Thursday, November 27, 2024.
Any questions or inquiries, contact:
Aaron MacDonald, Procurement Specialist
aaron.macdonald@invernesscounty.ca | 902-787-3518
Get involved with Santa for seniors!
The municipal Recreation & Community Wellness department has created a Santa for Seniors program this holiday season.
The municipal Seniors Safety program works with older adults throughout the municipality by providing access to information through Age Well lunch and learn sessions, assisting with grant applications, and other recreation-based programming for older adults. The program lead works with surrounding seniors’ clubs, and seniors serving organizations that address the needs of seniors in more rural and remote communities.
In collaboration with the municipal Seniors Advisory Council, the Santa for Seniors program provides older adults with a special gift handmade by local students during the end-of-year holidays. The aim is to bring some extra cheer at this wonderful time of the year, while fostering an inter-generational connection within our communities.
The holidays are exciting times but can bring feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for older people. This program aims to provide individuals with a little extra cheer who need it this time of year.
The Recreation and Community Wellness department has partnered with local schools including Bayview Education Centre, Whycocomagh Education Centre, and Inverness Academy. The students will participate in craft making workshops to create cards and crafts that will be gifted to the Santa for Seniors participants.
Register yourself or a friend today, to receive one of these lovely handmade gifts! The program is open to older adults (55+).
Anyone without access to internet call the Seniors Safety Coordinator, Maggie MacDonald at (902)615-3670 to register, or for any questions.
2024 municipal election results
The results of the municipal elections held in the Municipality of Inverness County on Saturday, October 19, 2024 are as follows.
| Candidates | Number of votes | Voter turnout (%) | |
| District 1 Chéticamp / Pleasant Bay / Meat Cove |
Larade, Joeleen | 334 | 62.6 |
| Poirier, Christopher | 282 | ||
| Poirier, Claude | 731 | ||
| District 2 Margaree / St Joseph du Moine |
Phillips, Blair W. | Acclaimed | |
| District 3 Inverness / Glenville / Dunvegan |
MacIsaac, Bonny | Acclaimed | |
| District 4 Whycocomagh / Orangedale / Lake Ainslie |
MacLennan, John | Acclaimed | |
| District 5 Port Hood / Mabou |
Chisholm, Lynn | 811 | 53.6 |
| Oommen Thom | 335 | ||
| District 6 Port Hastings / Judique / West Bay |
Dowling, John | 340 | 53.7 |
| Gillis, Catherine | 857 | ||
| Conseil scolaire acadien provincial | Haché, Philippe | Acclaimed | |
Inverness County Awards for Excellence in Healthcare
Thank you to all of those who submitted their nominations. The winners will be announced in April at a special Gala event. More details to follow.
The Municipality of Inverness County is delighted to announce the inaugural Inverness County Awards for Excellence in Healthcare.
This is a time to express sincere gratitude and thanks to all dedicated healthcare professionals who work so tirelessly and selflessly to serve others. These awards offer everyone the opportunity to highlight those individuals who deserve special recognition for their service. There will be seven individual awards and one team award (see categories below for details).
Nominees can be anyone involved in the healthcare sector in the Municipality of Inverness County in some capacity, which includes, but is not limited to, doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, long-term and palliative care staff, and any other allied healthcare professionals such as paramedics, phlebotomists, pharmacists, radiologists, X-ray and lab technicians, physiotherapists, administrators or receptionists, to name a few. (Note that volunteers should continue to be referred to Inverness County’s Volunteer Recognition Program – for more details on that program, email lisa.organ@invernesscounty.ca.)
We hope you will join in appreciating and celebrating the invaluable contribution that healthcare professionals make to our lives every single day. They are all champions, but who stood out for you this year? Use the form below to submit your nomination.
Additional copies of the nomination forms are available at municipal administration building, 375 Main St, Port Hood, as well as Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, Sacred Heart Hospital and all libraries in the Municipality of Inverness County.
Nominations must be submitted by noon on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
The awards committee will review and determine the winners, which will be announced at a special Awards Gala in Spring 2025.
To submit a nomination or for more information contact Lynn Carter, Healthcare Navigator:
- lynn.carter@invernesscounty.ca | +1-902-323-0057
- Municipality of Inverness County, 375 Main Street, Port Hood, B0E 2W0
Categories
- Outstanding physician
- Outstanding nurse
- Outstanding nurse practitioner
- Outstanding long term or palliative care professional
- Outstanding mental health care professional
- Outstanding allied health professional – this category includes professions such as paramedics, phlebotomists, pharmacists, radiologists, X-ray and lab technicians, physiotherapists, administrators or receptionists, to name a few.
- Outstanding young healthcare professional (30 years and under)
- Outstanding collaborative care team
Guidelines
- Any organization or individual may nominate one healthcare professional.
- The nominee must be a current or former healthcare professional within the Municipality of Inverness County.
- The healthcare professional must work within the Municipality of Inverness County.
- Nominations must be accompanied by a clearly written or typed description (250 words max.) of the nominee’s activities that have gone above and beyond for our community.
- One outstanding nominee in each category will be chosen as the overall winner(s) and winners will be announced at a special Awards Gala in Spring 2025.
- The final deadline to receive nominations is noon on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Any nominations after that date will be placed on a list for recognition in 2025.
- Eligibility of all nominations is at the sole discretion of the awards committee, which consists of municipal staff and retired healthcare and local professionals.
Litter intervention project: Celtic Shores Coastal Trails
The Municipality of Inverness County partnered with the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail Association to design and install anti littering messaging at 3 trail heads.
The association is 1 of 5 volunteer associations that manages the 92 km trail system stretching from Port Hastings to the Community of Inverness. These trails are multi-use trails that combine outdoor recreation, local history, and culture. There are over 30 trail heads and access points along the trail. Due to the number of trail access points, some of which are in close proximity to Route 19, they receive a wide range of waste and litter.
The goal was to reduce littering at trail heads, on trails, to identity the form of behavioural messaging that proves the most effective on Cape Bretoners and determine which items are the most littered.
Read the report below for the recommendations and conclusions of the study.
Report: Litter intervention project, Coastal Trails [pdf]
Nova Scotia government increases fine for illegal burns
Complete streets: Active transportation is coming to Inverness
Inverness, Nova Scotia, March 12, 2024 — A network of new trails and reconstructed sidewalks will be established in Inverness after a combined investment of $14 million from the federal and provincial governments, and the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
Municipal councillors with Mike Kelloway MP and Hon Allan MacMaster MLA
Announced by Parliamentary Secretary Mike Kelloway, Minister Allan MacMaster, and Warden Bonny MacIsaac, this project will give residents more options for walking and cycling while reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the community.
Inverness will get 2.97 kilometres of new multi-use pathways and trails. Additionally, 3.7 kilometres of sidewalks will be built or reconstructed along Central Avenue and Veteran’s Memorial Court. Once complete, this project will improve cyclist and pedestrian safety and increase the connectivity and walkability of Inverness.
“Today’s announcement is another massive boost for the economic development of the municipality,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac.
Central Avenue, Inverness, is one of the roadways which will benefit from refurbishment under the active transportation project
“A total of $14 million is being invested by the three levels of government, to create an active transportation network promoting healthier, more economical and more environmentally-friendly lifestyles. It will make this community an even more inviting place to live, work and do business,” she said.
Active transportation is about decreasing the need to rely on personal motor vehicles by increasing opportunities and incentives for people to choose other modes of transport. Pedestrians, wheelchair users, cyclists and public transit users all benefit from a ‘complete streets’ approach to infrastructure planning.
Complete streets are roadways designed to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all users. They feature elements such as sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks that prioritize the needs of non-motorized transport alongside those of motorists.
A large crowd gathered to hear the good news
This approach to community infrastructure planning allows people to get their daily exercise on the way to work, school, or gatherings, while promoting social equity among vulnerable communities and reducing the carbon footprint from motorized transport.
Complete streets contribute to a healthier, more livable communities for current and future generations
In addition, the Inverness Active Transportation Network project foresees the installation of amenities such as bike parking, benches and picnic seating, improvements to multi-use trails and recycling/waste receptacles. All of this is designed to create a more inviting and accessible community at the human scale, while fostering civic pride, social engagement and economic activity.
The Inverness Active Transportation Network project addresses multiple societal challenges. It is fully aligned with federal and provincial objectives to increase access to clean energy transportation and build connected, resilient, and equitable communities.
The project will support economic development in Inverness County by enhancing community connectivity and elevating the image of Inverness, to reflect its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and prosperity.
External links
Government of Canada press release on this announcement
Read the Participaper online!
Cape Breton’s best loved municipal periodical now has an online home at participaperonline.ca.
We post new content each week. Read this week’s article here.
Four decades of archives
Delve into the Participaper archives, kindly digitized by the staff of Chestico Museum and Historical Society.
