Port Hood Park Concept Design: Community Feedback Needed
Following a community open house on June 3, the Municipality of Inverness County and Glenn Group Landscape Architects and Park Planners are inviting additional public feedback on a concept design for a new community park in Port Hood.
This follows an initial survey in April, where nearly 250 people shared their ideas. Based on that input, Glenn Group developed a draft concept, which was presented during the June 3 open house. Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and offer further suggestions.
Now, a second online survey is available until July 10th for those who couldn’t attend the session. Residents can review the proposed design and share their thoughts on specific features such as play areas, recreation spaces, green space, accessibility, and more.
The draft design includes a central splash pad, accessible playgrounds, shaded seating, walking paths, and other family-friendly features. The concept design, background information, and survey can be found at www.invernesscounty.ca under the Projects tab.
“We’re grateful for the ideas and feedback shared so far, the consultant team is using it to help shape a park that residents are excited about,” says Deputy Warden Lynn Chisholm, who is a member of the community park planning committee. “While the construction timeline hinges upon securing the necessary funding, we are taking important steps today towards making this county wide asset a reality.”
Anyone with questions can contact the project team at construction@invernesscounty.ca or call toll-free 1-866-258-0223, option #5.
2025 Beach Cleanup Bingo
June 18, 2025
Beach Cleanup Bingo Returns This July
The Municipality of Inverness County is excited to announce the return of Beach Cleanup Bingo for summer 2025—a fun and rewarding way to help keep local beaches and shorelines clean.
Throughout the month of July, both residents and visitors are invited to take part by removing litter from beaches across Inverness County. Participants can use the attached bingo card, which features common beach litter items such as fishing rope, lobster bands, cans, and more. The goal is to clean up and mark off as many squares as possible.
- Cleanups must take place within Inverness County.
- Download the bingo card below—save it to your phone to fill out digitally, or print a copy at home.
- Mark off items as you collect them throughout July.
- Once you’ve completed your card, submit the online entry form by August 1, 2025, to be entered in the prize draw.
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Submit your card through this form.
Prizes:
- $50 gift card for a full card
- $25 gift card for an “X”
- $25 gift card for two lines
The prize draw will take place on August 5, 2025.
For any questions regarding Beach Cleanup Bingo, please contact Solid Waste Educator Nicole Latimer at nicole.latimer@invernesscounty.ca.
Municipal Bylaws Repealed
June 5, 2025
Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness Repeals Outdated Bylaws in Modernization Process
At the Regular Meeting of Council held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness agreed to repeal three outdated municipal bylaws.
The repealed bylaws are:
- Bylaw 14 – Tax on Commencing Business: Previously required new businesses to pay a $50.00 administration fee upon opening within the municipality. This fee is no longer applicable, as business registration is now managed by the Province via the Registry of Joint Stocks.
- Bylaw 22 – Improvement Charges: Mandated property owners to cover 50% of the costs for installing permanent curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or pavement, based on property frontage. This bylaw was deemed outdated and overlapping with existing policies, such as the Capital Cost of Sidewalk Construction Policy.
- Bylaw 46 – Amendment to the Service Fees for Payment Cards: Previously imposed service fees when municipal payments were made by credit card. As credit card processing is now handled by a third-party vendor, this bylaw was no longer necessary.
The decision to repeal these bylaws was made as part of an ongoing modernization process.
All municipal bylaws are available online. Print copies are available at the Municipal Administration Building (375 Main St., Port Hood) during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday).
This notice is published in accordance with the Municipal Government Act, Section 169.
Inviting Public Feedback: Whycocomagh Active Transportation
June 2, 2025
Project Planners Seeking Public Feedback to Help Shape the Whycocomagh Active Transportation Project
Work continues on Whycocomagh Active Transportation and Detailed Design, a project initiated enhance mobility and promote active lifestyles for residents and visitors alike. Currently, the design of Main Street and Highway 105 prioritizes vehicle traffic, limiting opportunities for walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation.
This project aims to improve mobility for residents and visitors in Whycocomagh and help create a vibrant, sustainable community where active transportation is safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.
How You Can Participate:
- Review Potential Design Concepts
In January 2025, consultants from UPLAND Planning & Design Studio conducted an online survey, created a social map, and met with local interest groups. Based on feedback, a series of potential design concepts have been developed.
- Complete a Short Online Survey
After reviewing the concepts, residents are encouraged to complete a brief, anonymous survey to share their thoughts.
- Attend the Open House – Public Engagement Session
An opportunity to learn more and provide feedback directly to the design team. This session offers a chance to view the proposed plans and contribute ideas that will help shape the final design.
Engagement Session Details:
Date: Monday, June 16, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre, 9650 Highway 105, Whycocomagh
Design concepts and the online survey will remain open for review and feedback until June 30, 2025.
Families are welcome—members of the Municipality’s Recreation & Community Wellness team will host a Children’s Zone at the session for children accompanying participants.
What’s Next?
Feedback from the open house and online survey will guide the development of a construction-ready design, targeted for completion in Fall 2025. The final plan will prioritize safety, comfort, and connectivity for active transportation users and celebrate Whycocomagh’s identity as a gateway to outdoor adventure. Construction will begin once funding is secured.
Learn More:
For more information or to ask questions about the project, please:
Visit: Whycocomagh Active Transportation and Detailed Design Plan
Email: construction@invernesscounty.ca
Call: 1-866-258-0223 (Select option #5)
Healthcare Professionals Recruitment & Retention
May 27, 2025
Municipality of Inverness County Supporting Healthcare Recruitment & Retention
The Municipality of Inverness County recognizes the vital role that healthcare plays in every community and is deeply committed to supporting both current and future healthcare providers across the region.
As part of this commitment, thanks to continued and generous provincial funding from the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment, the municipality has launched a series of new promotional tools, forming a central part of a long-term strategy to attract and retain healthcare professionals in Inverness County.
The cornerstone of this initiative is a compelling new video, featuring personal stories and testimonials from dedicated local healthcare professionals:
- Amelie Maillet, Family Physician at Sacred Heart Community Health Centre and Doctors Nova Scotia’s 2025 Family Physician of the Year
- Jessica Deveaux, Clinical Nurse Lead at Sacred Heart Community Health Centre
- Bhreagh MacDougall, Family Physician at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
- Jessica Joshua, Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
The video showcases the strength and collaboration within Inverness County’s healthcare community, set against the stunning backdrop of the region’s coastal and rural landscapes. Renowned local author and cartoonist Kate Beaton narrates the video, lending her distinctive voice and heartfelt connection to the area.
To complement the video, the municipality has developed two additional resources:
- An 11-page prospectus, offering a detailed look at what it’s like to live and work in Inverness County
- A two-page summary, providing a quick overview of the region’s key features and opportunities
These materials have already been shared with Nova Scotia Health recruiters and will continue to support a variety of future recruitment campaigns.
“These resources will be a cornerstone in our ongoing efforts to attract and retain healthcare professionals in our region,” said Lynn Carter, Healthcare Navigator for the Municipality. “No one can speak more authentically about the rewards of living and working in Inverness County than the healthcare providers who call it home. We’re deeply grateful for their time, insights, and the heart they brought to these projects.”
To view the video, prospectus and summary, or learn more about healthcare initiatives in Inverness County, please visit: Healthcare | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
Municipality of Inverness County to Host “Walk YOUR Way” Event in Support of Autism Nova Scotia
The Municipality of Inverness County is inviting all residents to participate in the upcoming Autism Nova Scotia Walk YOUR Way event on Saturday, June 7th, 2025. Walk YOUR way celebrates neurodiversity and encourages community inclusion by bringing people together in support of autistic individuals and their families in Inverness County.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 7th, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Inverness Education Centre Academy, 59 Veterans Memorial Court, Inverness, NS.
This inclusive, age- friendly walk and community gathering will feature fun, family- friendly activities and a BBQ by donation. The event is part of Autism Nova Scotia’s ongoing mission to create understanding, acceptance, and opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum across the province.
Proceeds and donations from the event will help support Autism Nova Scotia’s Strait Area Chapter who services the region and will support the work across the province, helping to fund programs, services, and advocacy efforts that make a meaningful difference in the lives of autistic individuals and their families.
About Autism Nova Scotia:
Autism Nova Scotia is a provincial organization dedicated to supporting people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as their families, caregivers, and professionals. With programs that span the entire lifespan, from early childhood to adulthood, the organization works to create inclusive communities where individuals on the autism spectrum are supported, understood, and empowered to thrive.
About the Municipality of Inverness County:
The Municipality of Inverness County is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible community for all residents. Through the creation of its first EDIA strategy, the municipality aims to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equal access to services, programs, and opportunities.
Access Awareness Week Nova Scotia
May 26, 2025
May 25 – 31 Proclaimed Access Awareness Week in Inverness County
May 25 – 31, 2025 is Access Awareness Week, which is a time to celebrate achievements made both by and for persons with disabilities in the areas of accessibility, transportation, housing, employment, recreation, education, and communication in Nova Scotia.
The theme for 2025 is “Our Voices, Our Votes: Disability Rights in Action.” This theme honours the critical role that persons with disabilities, along with families and supporters, have played in advocating for meaningful change. Their efforts have contributed to important legislation such as the Nova Scotia Accessibility Act, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and other key human rights advancements.
Additional information about the Disability Rights movement is available at: https://nsleo.com/aawns-take-action/#theme-resources
To acknowledge Access Awareness Week, The Municipality of Inverness County is proudly displaying a flag in Council Chambers at the Municipal Administration Building and shared a proclamation during the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 22. Read the proclamation here
For 39 years, communities across Nova Scotia have hosted events during Access Awareness Week to bring attention to the importance of removing barriers and supporting inclusion. In alignment with this, the Municipality of Inverness County will host an Adaptive Equipment Try-It Event on Friday, May 30 at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre. This event will offer attendees the chance to try adaptive recreation equipment available through the Recreation & Community Wellness Department.
To learn more about the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to reduce barriers for persons with disabilities, click here.
Municipal Bylaw Review – Public Feedback Invited
May 23, 2025
The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness Seeks Public Feedback Regarding Municipal Bylaw Review
The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness is considering the repeal of three municipal 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 14 – Tax on Commencing Business
Current: New businesses are required to pay a $50 administration fee when opening within the municipality.
Proposed Change: This fee will no longer be required. The municipality no longer charges to open a business in the County. Business registration is done by the Province via Registry of Joint Stocks.
II. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 22 – Improvement Changes
Current: Property owners are responsible for 50% of the costs related to the installation of permanent curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or pavement, with the municipality covering the other 50%, based on property frontage.
Proposed Change: This bylaw is outdated and no longer relevant to the municipality. In addition, some provisions overlap and are now covered under the Capital Cost of Sidewalk Construction Policy.
III. Bylaw Respecting the Repeal of Bylaw 46 – Amendment to the Service Fees for Payment Cards
Current: Service fees are charged when municipal payments (e.g., property taxes, water bills) are made by credit card.
Proposed Change: These service fees are not required as credit cards are processed by a third-party vendor. Therefore, the bylaw is no longer required as any service fee is charged direct to the payee.
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, June 5 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, June 4 to:
Debbie Nicholson
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca
Copies of the 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.
Changes Introduced at Kenloch Waste Management Facility
Friday, May 23, 2025
Changes Introduced at Kenloch Waste Management Facility: New Tipping Fees for Construction & Demolition Materials and Non-Residential Waste
The Municipality of Inverness County will implement new tipping fees at the Kenloch Waste Management Facility for construction and demolition (C&D) materials and non-residential waste, effective Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
These updated fees are being introduced to better reflect the rising operational and transportation costs associated with processing and diverting waste in accordance with current provincial regulations.
Residential regular solid waste will not be impacted by these fees.
What Qualifies as Construction & Demolition Material?
Construction and demolition materials include, but are not limited to:
- Clean and treated lumber (excluding creosote-treated lumber)
- Drywall
- Asphalt shingles
- Concrete and masonry (bricks, tiles, blocks)
- Metals, glass, insulation, and plaster
- Flooring (e.g., laminate, hardwood, ceramic tile)
- Fixtures, cabinetry, windows, and doors
New Tipping Fee Structure for C&D Waste: Effective September 2, 2025
Previous rates, unchanged since 2006, were $75/metric tonne for mixed loads and $30/metric tonne for sorted C&D debris.
Starting September 2, new rates are as follows:
- Sorted Load (C&D materials separated by type): $48.00/metric tonne
- Unsorted Load (C&D materials not separated): $110.00/metric tonne
- Mixed Load (C&D materials combined with garbage, recyclables, organics, or banned materials): $235.00/metric tonne
New Tipping Fee for Non-Residential Waste: Effective September 2, 2025
For the first time, the municipality will introduce a tipping fee for non-residential residual waste (garbage).
- New Rate: $97.20 per metric tonne
This change means businesses will now be charged for garbage disposal, whether delivered directly or via a waste hauler. Commercial customers are advised to contact their service providers to discuss potential impacts on collection rates.
Why Are These Changes Being Made?
“These changes are necessary to ensure we can cover the operational and transportation costs required to sustain this vital community service,” said Keith MacDonald, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Inverness County. “We understand that change takes time, similar to the transition during the treated lumber ban, we are committed to supporting residents and businesses throughout this process.”
Following updated regulations from the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change, as of March 28, 2025, the Kenloch facility is no longer approved to operate as a construction and demolition landfill. While the municipality explored the development of a new C&D landfill, regulatory, environmental, space, and financial constraints made the project unfeasible.
As a result, all C&D materials brought to the Kenloch facility will now be transported to the GFL Environmental Landfill in Boylston, Guysborough, or to another approved diversion facility based on material type and condition.
Proper sorting is essential to ensure compliance and to support waste reduction and recycling efforts.
Waste Reduction Support Services
The municipality continues to offer several services to help residents manage waste responsibly:
- Weekly curbside waste collection
- Annual Residential Bulky Waste Collection (spring)
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection
For updates, sorting guides, and more, please visit Waste & Recycling | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
Looking Ahead
“The Municipality of Inverness County is committed to building strong partnerships with our neighboring communities and identifying responsible, cost-effective solutions for waste management,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “Our goal is to protect the environment while investing in a healthier, more sustainable future for our residents.”
Kenloch Waste Management Facility staff will use the next three months to educate residents and businesses about these upcoming changes.
For questions, please contact the Solid Waste Team by emailing waste@invernesscounty.ca or calling, toll-free 1-866-258-0223, selection Option #1.
Announcement – New Online Recreation Registration
May 21, 2025
Municipality of Inverness County Launches New Online Registration Platform
The Municipality of Inverness County is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of a new online registration platform for all recreation programs and equipment loan opportunities. Over the coming weeks, the municipality will transition to PlayFinder a community navigation and registration tool designed to better serve residents.
What is Playfinder?
PlayFinder (formerly Sport Hub) is a user-friendly, Nova Scotia-built platform designed to simplify the way residents access municipal recreation services. Developed with small communities in mind, PlayFinder enhances the registration experience with modern features and improved accessibility.
Key Benefits of PlayFinder:
- Secure online payments via credit card
- Streamlined family profile management, allowing all household members to register under one account
- Improved access to recreation programs and equipment loans in the county
- Mobile-friendly platform for easy registration on-the-go
- Dedicated local customer support from the PlayFinder team
What This Means for Users:
- All current users of the existing registration system will be automatically migrated to PlayFinder.
- On Wednesday, May 28th, users will receive an email invitation from PlayFinder (Support@PlayFinder.ca). This email will include a link to create a password and complete your new account setup.
- If you do not receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder. You can also contact support@playfinder.ca for help or simply create a new account directly on the PlayFinder website.
- If you prefer not to have your account transferred, please email calder@invernesscounty.ca before May 28th.
Once your account is set up, you’ll have full access to all recreation registration and equipment loan opportunities offered by the Municipality of Inverness County.
For questions about recreation programming, please contact krista.macinnis@invernesscounty.ca. For general transition or account concerns, reach out to jason.calder@invernesscounty.ca. For platform-specific support, the PlayFinder team can be contacted anytime at support@playfinder.ca.
Municipal summer recreation program registration will take place early June. More details to follow.
The Municipality of Inverness County and Playfinder appreciates your patience and support during this exciting transition to serve you better.