Whycocomagh Public Library

September 26, 2025

New Whycocomagh Public Library Opening This Winter: Fundraising for new books kicks off October 4th

The Municipality Inverness County, in partnership with the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, Eastern Counties Regional Library (ECRL), and community volunteers, announce the opening of the Whycocomagh Public Library this winter. The new community library will be located on the lower level of the Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Hwy 105, Whycocomagh.

A community fundraising campaign, led by community volunteers, is being launched with a community picnic on October 4th to help raise money for new library items and furniture.

“The community and our organization have been advocating for a library for a long time,” says Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre president Crystal Jones. “We are thrilled that we are able to work with the municipality and ECRL to make it a reality,” says Jones.

The library will be the first municipally operated library in Inverness County, which will integrate ECRL library services, visitor information, and municipal services and programming in a welcoming community space.

“ECRL is excited to work with the municipality and the community to develop a new model for providing library services in rural communities,” says Clair Rankin, Chair of the ECRL board of directors. “This partnership allows Whycocomagh and area residents to enjoy the benefits of a public library.”

“The Municipality of Inverness County really values libraries and the wonderful services they provide communities,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “Council and staff’s commitment and investment to expanding these services to Whycocomagh reflect this, and how libraries can be the cornerstones of growing communities.”

Community Fundraising Picnic Details:

Date: October 4th, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4: 00 p.m.
Location: Whycocomagh Lower Park, 9780 Hwy 105
Rain location: Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9850 Hwy 105.

What to expect:

Readings from local children’s book authors
Family-friendly activities
Opportunities to contribute directly to the library’s development through donations.

Donations will help purchase furnishings, books, and resources that will make the library an inviting space for all ages.

Community members who wish to support the new library can contribute at the October 4th picnic, and the Municipality of Inverness County’s community fundraising portal is expected to be live prior to the event. Details to follow.

Members of the community can follow the fundraising campaign and Whycocomagh Public Library News at the community Facebook page @Whycocomagh Public Library.

Wave Volleyball Camp

September 19, 2025

Municipality To Host Three Camps with Wave Volleyball

The Municipality of Inverness County’s Recreation & Community Wellness team is partnering with Wave Volleyball to host a series of 3 pop-up volleyball camps designed to help athletes get ready for the upcoming junior volleyball season.

The camps, led by Coaches Ashley Crowley and Nadine Clark, will take place on the following dates:

Friday, September 26 – Inverness Education Centre Academy, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, October 3 – Bayview Education Centre, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday. October 10 – Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre Academy, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Each two-hour session combines skill development, game play, and confidence building in a high-energy, supportive environment. Open to co-ed athletes grades 6 – 8, the camps are a great way for players to fine-tune their fundamentals or shake off the rust before the season begins.

The registration fee is $30 per camp, and sign-up is available online at playfinder.ca.

“Our team loves partnering with community groups on programs like this,” says Recreation Coordinator Krista MacInnis. “These partnerships allow us to expand capacity and reach, taking some of the logistical stress like registration off the groups and allowing them to focus on what’s most important: creating great experiences for kids”.

For questions, reach out to Krista MacInnis at 902-258-5930 or by email krista.macinnis@invernesscounty.ca.

Youth Indoor Soccer

September 19, 2025

Youth Soccer Program Kicking Off in Port Hood

The Municipality of the County of Inverness is launching an indoor youth soccer program for players in grades 5 through 8 (ages 10–14). The program begins Tuesday, September 23, and will run on Tuesday evenings from 6:00–7:00 p.m. at Bayview Education Centre until outdoor soccer begins in the spring.

This non-instructional program offers a fun and active environment for youth to enjoy soccer. Players will be divided into new teams each week and will spend the hour scrimmaging. Proper footwear is required.

The cost to participate is $20 per child. Registration is available online at playfinder.ca.

For more information, please contact Recreation Coordinator Krista MacInnis at 902-258-5930 or krista.macinnis@invernesscounty.ca.

PSA: Mabou Fire Hydrant Replacement

September 18, 2025

Public Service Announcement
Mabou Fire Hydrant Replacement – Temporary Water Service Interruption

The Municipality of Inverness County advises that municipal staff will be replacing a fire hydrant in Mabou on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. As a result, nearby residents will experience a temporary interruption in water service.

Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Start Time: 8:00 a.m.
Duration: To be determined. The Municipality will provide an update once installation is underway.
Fire Hydrant Location: Route 19, near civic addresses 11511 & 11513

Residents Affected:

Route 19, from civic numbers 11511 & 11513, in the vicinity of the intersection of Route 252 and Route 19
Barra Lane
MacDonell Lane
Byrnlee’s Lane
Cameron Hill
Highway 252 (for those on the municipal water system)

Map

How to Prepare:

Fill containers with drinking water in advance.
Fill your bathtub to have water available for flushing toilets.
Monitor the Municipality’s website and Facebook page for updates regarding service restoration.

Please share this advisory widely with neighbors, friends, and visitors to ensure everyone stays informed.

The Municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation and apologizes for any inconvenience this temporary disruption may cause.

Bylaw Modernization: Council Seeking Public Feedback

September 18, 2025

Municipality of Inverness County Council Seeks Feedback: Municipal Bylaw 25

The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness is considering the repeal of a municipal bylaw as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process. If approved, the following bylaw will be officially repealed:

I. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 25 – Building Bylaw

Current: Residents are required to obtain a permit from the municipality before constructing, altering, demolishing, or changing the use of a building, with exceptions for small projects.

Proposed Change: Remove bylaw and not replace. This bylaw is outdated as permits, fees, and planning are handled by Eastern District Planning Commission.

Public Input Welcome

Council invites public input on these proposed changes. Residents may provide written or oral submissions—either in support or opposition—at the next Regular Meeting of Council:

Thursday, October 2 at 9:30 a.m.
Council Chambers, Municipality of Inverness County Administration Building
375 Main Street, Port Hood.

Written submissions must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1 to:

Debbie Nicholson
375 Main St.
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca

Copies of the bylaws are available online at Bylaws | Municipality of the County of Inverness and in print at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday).

This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 168.

Truth and Reconciliation Day

September 19, 2025

Municipality of Inverness County Proclaims September 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Day

At the September 18^th Committee of the Whole Meeting, Warden Bonny MacIsaac officially proclaimed September 30, 2025, as Truth and Reconciliation Day in Inverness County.

This day honours the Survivors of residential schools, their families, and communities. It also recognizes the ongoing impacts of residential schools and the importance of advancing reconciliation 365 days a year.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is a time to reflect on the history of residential schools, to listen to the experiences of Survivors, and to affirm that “Every Child Matters.”

The Municipality encourages residents to take time on September 30 to learn, reflect, and take meaningful steps toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, including the Mi’kmaq, whose traditional and unceded territory we share.

To learn more, visit nctr.ca.

Proclamation

Municipal Closures

In observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all municipal facilities and offices will be closed on Tuesday, September 30^th. Curbside collection will not be impacted; solid waste will be collected as usual.

For water and wastewater emergencies, call the emergency line: 902-258-5048.

British Home Child Day

September 22, 2025

County of Inverness Joins Communities Across Canada in Honouring British Home Children

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, September 18^th, the Council of the Municipality of Inverness County proclaimed Sunday, September 28^th as British Home Child Day in the County.

National British Home Child Day was declared by the Government of Canada in 2018 to recognize the lives and legacies of the over 100,000 British Home Children sent to Canada between the late 19^th century and the 1970s. An estimated 300 children landed between Inverness and Victoria counties, particularly in Whycocomagh and surrounding area. These children came from poor and marginalized families in the British Isles and were sent abroad under child migration schemes. Many endured harsh conditions and were placed as labourers on farms or as domestic workers. Contrary to popular belief, only 12% were true orphans. Many grew up ashamed and unable to speak about their experiences, though they contributed greatly to Canadian society, with over 25,000 enlisting in the World Wars.

Today it is estimated that over four million Canadians are descendants of British Home Children.

Proclamation

The Beacons of Light Tribute

Since 2019, Beacons of Light has united Canadians in remembrance by illuminating landmarks, monuments, and buildings in red, white, and blue, or in yellow—the latter representing Home Children Canada’s floral emblem, the sunflower.

Individuals are invited to participate in the “Porch Light Tribute” by leaving their outdoor lights on overnight on September 28, symbolically leaving the light on for children who never made it home.

For more information, visit:
homechildrencanada.com
britishhomechildren.com

Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use Bylaw In Effect

September 11, 2025

Municipal Planning Strategy & Land Use Bylaw Approved and Now in Effect

The Municipality of Inverness County’s new Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw officially came into effect today, September 11, 2025.

This milestone follows provincial legislation passed in 2018 (Bill 58), which mandates that all municipalities in Nova Scotia ensure their entire jurisdiction is governed by an approved Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw.

In response, the Municipality launched Plan Inverness, a comprehensive initiative to develop updated planning documents tailored to the region’s needs. This work was completed as part of Plan Eastern, a collaborative planning initiative with the counties of Antigonish, Richmond, and Victoria, aimed at delivering consistent land use planning across Eastern Nova Scotia.

Public Engagement & Approval Process

To ensure transparency and community involvement, the Municipality, in partnership with the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC), hosted two public hearings:

March 19, 2025 – Focused on proposed wind turbine regulations
May 22, 2025 – Addressed the full Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw

Additional public information sessions were held, where residents had the opportunity to review draft documents, speak directly with EDPC representatives, and ask questions.

On March 19th, 2025, Municipal Council formally adopted the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw Concerning the Regulation of Wind Turbine Development. On May 22, 2025, Municipal Council formally adopted the proposed Plan Inverness Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw. The documents were then submitted to the Nova Scotia Department of Municipal Affairs for ministerial review.

The Minister has approved both documents, with amendments.

To learn more about the amendments, review both Ministerial letters here:

In Effect as of Today

As of September 11, 2025, the new Plan Inverness – Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw and the amended Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw Concerning the Regulation of Wind Turbine Development are officially in effect. These documents provide the regulatory framework to guide future growth and development across the Municipality.

Access the Documents

The documents can be found online here:

About Eastern District Planning Commission:

In Nova Scotia, it is a legal requirement to obtain development and/or building permits before starting any construction on a site or building. For residents of the Municipality of Inverness County, these services are provided by Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC).