Youth Sewing Workshop Recap

October 28, 2025

Youth Learn to Sew and Reduce Waste During Waste Reduction Week

RFP Issued for Margaree Airstrip Property

RFP Issued for Lease and Use of Margaree Airstrip Property

The Municipality of the County of Inverness has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the lease and future use of municipally owned property located at 604 Big Intervale Rd., Margaree Valley, formerly the site of the Margaree Airport.

The Municipality is seeking proposals from non-profit organizations or private businesses to present plans for the site that will bring meaningful value to the Margaree Valley community.

This property is in District 2 (Margaree/St. Joseph du Moine). To inform the RFP development process, District 2 Councillor Blair Phillips hosted two community meetings to hear residents’ ideas for the future of the site. To gather more input, the municipality also launched a community survey with over 100 responses received.

About the Property:

Originally developed in 1963, the former Margaree Airport occupies a 34-acre (13.75-hectare) parcel and operated as a registered aerodrome until its closure for public use around 2021.

The site includes:

• Electrical service to the terminal building
• Well and septic systems
• Road access via Cranton Crossing Rd. and East Big Intervale Rd. from Margaree Centre.

Key Details:

• Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
• Link to full RFP and submission guidelines: https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders/MCI-RFP-2025-006
• To schedule a site visit or ask questions, please contact:
  • Aaron MacDonald, Procurement Specialist
  • Aaron.macdonald@invenresscounty.ca

Test Section of Jajiktek Seawall Trail Under Construction

A unique and challenging wilderness hiking trail is one step closer to becoming a reality in Inverness County. Construction is now underway on a test section of the proposed Jajiktek Seawall Trail. This initial work, happening in a provincially protected wilderness area, will help determine if the planned trail design will work across one of Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes.

The Jajiktek Seawall Trail is planned to span approximately 50 kilometres, beginning in the small community of Red River (near Pleasant Bay) and following the dramatic northwestern coastline of the Polletts Cove–Aspy Fault Wilderness Area. Designed as a four-day trek, the trail will end in the remote community of Meat Cove.

Earlier this summer, the Municipality of Inverness County awarded a $7.5 million design-build contract to Zutphen Contractors Inc. Since then, Zutphen’s in partnership with Glenn Group Landscape Architects, has been finalizing preliminary design and construction plans.

Constructing the trail will be a significant undertaking due to the exceptionally challenging terrain, which presents a challenging working environment. Over the next two weeks, small sections of the trail will be built as a mock-up to evaluate how well the proposed design works in these conditions.

The Municipality has obtained the necessary authorizations from the province to work in the wilderness area. A comprehensive evaluation of the mock-up sections with be conducted to inform further planning. Full trail construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2026 and finish in 2027.

The project is being led by the Municipality of Inverness County with support from the Jajiktek Seawall Trail Project Steering Committee, which includes representatives from northern communities, the Seawall Trail Society, Mi’kmaw organizations, the Municipality of Victoria County and other government bodies. A Mi’kmaw Elders Advisory Group will also provide guidance.

The project represents a total investment of approximately $9.4 million, jointly funded by the provincial and federal governments. The Province of Nova Scotia is contributing $6.4 million through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, while the Government of Canada is providing $3 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

To learn more about the project, visit Jajiktek Seawall Trail | Municipality of the County of Inverness .

Quotes:

“This trail could become one of Canada’s premier wilderness attractions and a leading tourism destination in Nova Scotia. We are thrilled to be moving forward with our partners on this exciting project that may not only enhance tourism but create future jobs and business opportunities in our communities.”

• Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County Warden

“Cape Breton’s landscape and people are what make this region truly remarkable. This milestone for the Jajiktek Seawall Trail brings us another step closer to offering an unforgettable wilderness experience that will connect people with nature while inspiring visitors to return to the Highlands for years to come.”

• Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish

“Jajiktek is a Mi’kmaw word that means crouching down and standing up as you move along a difficult route close to water. This is an old trail, a part of the landscape that our ancestors have traveled since time immemorial.”

• Ernest Johnson, Mi’kmaw Elder Advisory Group Member

“The Seawall Trail Society’s guiding principle of Etuaptmunk – Two-Eyed Seeing, respecting both local values and Mi’kmaw traditions, has shaped an environmentally and socially responsible trail plan.

• Ray Fraser, Board Chair, Seawall Trail Society

“The Jajiktek Seawall Trail partnership has been a great opportunity to help share the traditional knowledge of the ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaw people.  We are gathering in spaces and places and listening deeply with our hearts and minds on this journey of decolonization so that we can one day soon share the true stories of our people to visitors from around the world who will be visiting this trail.  Now that is what we call reconcili-ACTION.”

• Robert Bernard, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network

Quick Facts:

• The Jajiktek Seawall Trail Project Steering Committee includes the Seawall Trail Society, Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network, Meat Cove Development Association, the communities of Wagmatcook and We’koqma’q, the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq, Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, Build Nova Scotia, the Municipality of Victoria County, and the Municipality of Inverness County.
• The Seawall Trail Society, a local volunteer-based community group, has championed this project for over a decade and has been invaluable in the project’s success to date.
• Currently, there is no Jajiktek Seawall Trail or accommodations. It is a rugged, remote, and challenging wilderness route with no wayfinding signage or infrastructure of any kind. It is strongly recommended that anyone exploring the area should reach out to a local guiding business. The hike should only be attempted by people with extensive wilderness navigation and survival skills.

Opportunities for Inverness Multicourt Facility Naming Rights

Municipality offering partnership opportunities for Inverness Multicourt Facility naming rights

The Municipality of Inverness County is issuing a Request for Expressions of Interest for the naming rights of the Inverness Multicourt Facility.

The Inverness Multicourt Facility, located at 85 MacLean St., Inverness, is home to three pickleball courts, two basketball courts, a games area (beanbag toss, table tennis, checkers, chess), parking and accessible pathways and gathering spaces.

Designed with universal accessibility in mind, the facility will become a hub for health, inclusion, and intergenerational connection.

The municipality is seeking to partner with qualified individuals and/or companies to fund capital investment and program support in exchange of the naming rights of the facility. There will be multiple opportunities depending on sponsorship levels, such as the entire facility, specific courts or an individual court, etc.

To learn more, check out the Expressions of Interest here. The deadline to apply has been extended to Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Waste Reduction Week Contest

October 21, 2025

Municipality Celebrates Waste Reduction Week with Contest

It’s Waste Reduction Week in Nova Scotia, and the Municipality of the County of Inverness is celebrating with a low-waste prize pack giveaway from Divert Nova Scotia.

Waste Reduction Week takes place each October as part of Circular Economy Month—a time to rethink how we use and reuse everyday items. By swapping, sharing, thrifting, and repairing, Nova Scotians can extend the life of their products and reduce what ends up in the landfill.

“The municipality’s Solid Waste team is always exploring new ways to help residents waste less,” says Solid Waste Educator and Coordinator Nicole Latimer. “We visit schools, host community sessions, and share tools like the Recycle Cape Breton app to make sorting and reducing waste as easy as possible. This contest is a fun way to encourage residents to get involved and stay connected.”

The app, Recycle Cape Breton, helps residents sort waste correctly and stay informed about collection. Available for both iOS and Android, as well as through invernesscounty.ca, the app allows users to:

• Sign up for solid waste collection reminders
• View your collection schedule
• Use the Waste Wizard, a quick search tool to find out where any item belongs

Contest Details

From now until October 31, residents who sign up for waste collection reminders in the Recycle Cape Breton app will be entered to win a low-waste prize pack from Divert Nova Scotia.
The pack includes a sewing kit, tool kit, beeswax wraps, reusable travel straw, reusable water bottle, and shopping bag—everything you need to live a little lighter on the planet.

Visit invernesscounty.ca/services/sortitout or download the Recycle Cape Breton app through linktr.ee/recyclecapebreton to get started.

Winter Active 2025 – 2026

October 17, 2025

Municipality Opens Winter Active Funding for 2025 – 2026

The Municipality of Inverness County’s Recreation & Community Wellness team is inviting community non-profit groups to apply for the 2025–2026 Winter Active Program.

Offered annually, Winter Active provides up to $500 in funding to community organizations planning winter projects, events, or activities. The program supports a wide range of initiatives, with priority given to those that promote healthy living and community inclusion.

Program Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• Be a community-based group with a valid Registered Joint Stocks Number
• Contribute at least 50% of the total project budget
• Hold the project, event, or activity between December 22, 2025, and March 21, 2026

Application Deadline
Applications for Winter Active funding are due Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

Successful applicants will have their event advertised in the Winter 2025 edition of The Participaper, free of charge.

For full details on the program and to apply, click here.

Municipality Hosts Career Exploration Day for Local Students

October 17, 2025

Municipality of Inverness County Hosts Grade 10 Students for Career Exploration Day

 The Municipality of Inverness County welcomed 14 Grade 10 students from Dalbrae Academy’ s Options and Opportunities (O2) program as part of their Career Development Course, a key component in preparing students for life after high school.

The O2 program is designed to help students transition successfully from high school to post-secondary education and into their chosen career paths. The Career Development Course is the first step in this journey, encouraging students to explore their strengths, values, and interests while developing practical life skills such as decision-making, financial literacy, and workplace readiness.

As part of their course work, students spent the day with municipal staff and learning about the inner workings of local government. The visit included presentations from the Capital Projects team, as well as guided tours of the Strathlorne Recycling Facility and the Mabou Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Students also participated in a career fair held in Council Chambers, where they connected with team members from departments including Recreation & Community Wellness, Culture & Community Development, Bylaw & Enforcement, Solid Waste, Finance, Public Works, and Administration.

“This was a first for the municipality, and we were thrilled to have the students with us,” said Municipality of Inverness County Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “Our hope is that they left feeling inspired by the wide range of career opportunities available in municipal government, and that they’ll consider becoming the next generation of municipal employees.”

The Municipality of Inverness County looks forward to continuing partnerships like this one that support youth development and career readiness in the community.

Bylaw Modernization: Council Seeking Public Feedback

October 16, 2025

Municipality of Inverness County Council Seeks Feedback: Municipal Bylaws 20, 21, 24, 40, 36

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

I. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 20 – Trailers Bylaw

Current: This bylaw was originally created to regulate trailer licensing. It no longer reflects current municipal practices, is not enforced, and was passed before the Municipal Government Act came into effect.

Proposed Change: Trailer regulations are now covered under the municipality’s Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Planning Strategy, which were developed with input from Inverness County residents. As a result, Bylaw 20 is no longer needed and is recommended for repeal without replacement.

 II. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 21 – Trailer Courts Bylaw

Current: This bylaw was intended to regulate the operation and development of trailer courts. It is outdated, no longer aligns with municipal practices, and predates the Municipal Government Act.

Proposed Change: Trailer courts are now regulated through the municipality’s Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Planning Strategy. Bylaw 21 is therefore redundant and is recommended for repeal without replacement.

III. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 24 – Development Officer Bylaw

Current: This bylaw describes the relationship between Council and the Eastern District Planning Commission (EDPC). It references legislation that has since been replaced in part by the Municipal Government Act.

Proposed Change: Council and the Director of the EDPC have established clear and effective practices that better define their working relationship. Bylaw 24 is now outdated and is recommended for repeal without replacement.

IV. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 40 – Bylaw Respecting Relief from Liability

Current: This bylaw outlines how the municipality discharges sewage and wastewater, but the language is vague and lacks clear definitions.

Proposed Change: New bylaws and human resources policies now address these matters in more detail, making Bylaw 40 outdated and unnecessary. It is recommended for repeal without replacement.

V. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 36 – Pensions Bylaw

Current: This bylaw outlines former pension plan for municipal employees.

Proposed Change: Current pension arrangements are now covered under updated Human Resources and Personnel Policies. The bylaw is outdated, inaccurate, and does not reflect current municipal operations or values. It is recommended that Bylaw 36 be repealed and not replaced.

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, November 13 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, November 12 to:

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

Copies of all municipal bylaws are available online at invernesscounty.ca/government/bylaws/ 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.

E-Billing Campaign with a Chance to Win an iPad

October 15, 2025

Municipality Launching E-Billing Campaign with a Chance to Win an iPad

The Municipality of Inverness County is encouraging residents to sign up for electronic billing for water utility and property tax bills.

This initiative is part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to modernize services and improve customer convenience. It is being launched now due to the ongoing Canada Post strike, which is expected to cause delays in the mailing and delivery of bills, including water utility bills scheduled to be mailed in early October.

E-billing offers a fast, secure, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional paper bills. By choosing e-billing, residents can access their bills anytime, anywhere, while helping to reduce paper use and lower postage costs.

As an added incentive, residents who sign up for e-billing by December 1 will be entered into a draw to win a new iPad. Residents who are already enrolled in e-billing will be automatically entered into the draw.

“This initiative supports municipality’s broader efforts to modernize service delivery and reduce costs,” said Keith MacDonald, Municipality of Inverness County Chief Administrative Officer. “By switching to e-billing, residents are helping to streamline operations, reduce our environmental footprint, and improve access to information.”

While paper billing will continue to be available to residents who prefer it, the municipality encourages as many households as possible to consider e-billing. Recognizing the municipality’s diverse and aging population, the transition to digital services is being introduced with this in mind.

MacDonald adds, “Customers who sign up for e-billing will be able to see their current water utility bill. Those who do not sign up will need to wait until alternative mailing arrangements can be made.”

Benefits of switching to e-billing include:

• Modern and Efficient service delivery
• 24/7 Access to bills on any device
• Reduced Paper Waste and environmental impact
• Lower Costs associated with printing and mailing
• Secure and Reliable delivery via email

Signing up takes just minutes. How to sign up and enter to win an iPad:

• Submit an online form directly: Online Form Submission | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
• Download the online form and email to taxes@invernesscounty.ca
• Print off a copy, and drop off at the Municipal Administration Building, 375 Main St., Port Hood.

The shift to e-billing reflects the Municipality of Inverness County’s broader commitment to improving services for residents.

If residents have questions and would like to speak with a member of the Finance team, call toll-free 1-866-258-0223, selection option #5, or email info@invernesscounty.ca.

Foyer Père Fiset Flood

October 10, 2025

Flood at Foyer Père Fiset Results in Temporary Relocation of Some Residents

A wastewater backup at Foyer Père Fiset Nursing Home in Chéticamp on Wednesday, October 8, caused significant flooding within the facility. Two residential wings were affected, impacting 44 of the 70 residents.

Families and next of kin of the affected residents have been notified by staff. A timeline for repairs and for the return of residents to the facility is still being determined.

Access to care and the health and safety of residents and staff remain the highest priorities as the situation is managed. Restoration services are on site providing cleanup and repairs.

Appreciation is extended to the staff at Foyer Père Fiset for their prompt response, and to Inverary Manor’s team for their support and assistance in minimizing any disruption to care.

Further updates will be provided when more information is available.