Inverness Announces Volunteer Recognition Program Nominees

Inverness County Celebrates National Volunteer Week, Announces Volunteer Recognition Program Nominees

The nominations are in and the Municipality of Inverness County is proud to announce the 2026 Volunteer Recognition Program nominees! This announcement coincides with National Volunteer Week, taking place from April 19 to 25, 2026.

As part of the Municipality’s Volunteer Recognition Program, each year community members are invited to nominate local volunteers who make a difference. These nominees are then recognized for their invaluable contributions with a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate from a local Municipality of Inverness County business of their choice.

The recognition also continues with weekly highlights of volunteers on the municipality’s official Facebook page. These recognitions start Wednesday, April 22 and will continue throughout the year.  Volunteers will also be featured in the Summer 2026 issue of the Participaper.

“Volunteers are at the heart of what makes our communities feel like home. Across Inverness County, people continue to show up for their neighbours in ways big and small, and that’s what makes this place so special,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “Municipal staff have the privilege of working alongside individuals who create connection and belonging every day. To all our volunteers, we thank you. If you’re thinking about getting involved, reach out, we’d love to help you find your place.”

This year’s volunteer award winners are:

• Lydia Babin, Ski Margaree Trails Society
• Larry Beaton, Mabou Rivers Trail Association
• Bonnie Boulton, Bayview Education Centre
• Carol Ann Boyd, Glendale Community Hall
• Lawrence Cameron, The Inverness County Singers
• Mary Frances Chisholm, Inverness Historical Society
• Phyllis Cote, Evergreen Seniors Club
• Donald Fortune, Margaree Salmon Association
• Nadine Hunt, West Mabou Beach and Trails Committee
• Curtis MacDonald, Glencoe Station Recreation Association
• Jacqueline MacDonald, Whycocomagh Lakeview Child Care Society
• Leona MacDonald, Judique Keldonan Seniors Club
• Trish MacDonald, Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre
• Sheila MacDonnell, Judique Historical Society
• Ann MacDougall, Port Hood Development Association
• Catherine MacKinnon, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
• Alice MacLellan, Mill Road Social Enterprises
• Annie MacLellan, Mabou New Horizons Club
• Gary MacLellan, Glendale and Area Community Cooperative Ltd.
• Billy MacLeod, St. Joseph’s Parish of SouthWest Margaree
• Marlene MacMillan, St. Peter’s Parish Port Hood CWL
• Alec MacNeil, Mabou and District Community Development Association
• Eileen MacNeil, Lake Ainslie Weavers
• Bridget MacQuarrie, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
• Jean McCann, North Mountain Culture & Recreation Association
• Tom McCann, L’Arche Cape Breton
• Chris McDaniel, Margaree Highland Games
• Kristin Muntz, Margaree Area Development Association
• Monica Ragan, Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society
• Mary May Richard, Centre Mi-Carême
• Stephen Richard, West Bay Road and District Volunteer Fire Department
• Beth Ryan, Inverness County Centre for the Arts
• Betty Watts, Chestico Museum

Catherine MacKinnon was selected through a random draw to represent Inverness County at the annual Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony to take place September 28 in Halifax. Catherine’s dedication to her community is a wonderful example of the spirit of volunteerism that makes Inverness County a special place to live.

The Municipality thanks its volunteers for their continued dedication and service to the communities of Inverness County. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities, contact:

Shannon MacLean

Project Coordinator

Culture & Community Development Team

1-866-258-0223, select option 7

Shannon.maclean@invernesscounty.ca

Council Seeking Feedback: Marketing Levy Bylaw

Municipality of Inverness County Council Seeks Feedback: Marketing Levy Bylaw Amendment

The Council of the Municipality of Inverness County is currently considering an amendment to Bylaw 44: Marketing Levy Bylaw, as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process.

Current Bylaw 44: Authorizes the Municipality to collect a three percent marketing levy on all short-term, fixed-roof accommodations, including hotels; motels; cottages; and online vacation rental platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. The current bylaw requires the owners of online rentals to pay the marketing levy to the municipality independently of the online platform.

Proposed Change: The proposed amendment to the current Marketing Levy Bylaw, suggested by Destination Cape Breton, would make it possible for online platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO to collect the marketing levy and remit it to the municipality, taking the additional responsibility off of the host.

About the marketing levy

The marketing levy fee is collected by the Municipality and passed on the Destination Cape Breton to support tourism and marketing efforts in Inverness County. As of January 1, 2024, the Cape Breton Island Marketing Levy is now set at 3% on all fixed-roof tourist accommodations. This includes short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO, etc. that are registered under the Tourist Accommodations Registration Act. To learn more about Destination Cape Breton and the marketing levy, visit destinationcapebreton.com/marketing-levy.

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, May 7th, 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 May 6th, 2026 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.

April Feedback Loop Survey Focuses on The Participaper

The Municipality of Inverness County is launching the April edition of The Feedback Loop survey today, April 16, with a focus on the municipality’s quarterly publication, The Participaper.

The Feedback Loop is a monthly survey initiative designed to gather resident feedback on a variety of municipal topics throughout 2026. Surveys are released on the third Thursday of each month and invite residents to share their perspectives, experiences and ideas.

“Over nearly 47 years, The Participaper has become a beloved periodical evolving from an eight-page newspaper into a 30+ page quarterly magazine delivered directly to resident mailboxes,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “We want to see the publication continue to evolve so we are taking this opportunity to hear directly from residents about what they want to see and read about in future editions.”

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses remain anonymous.

Residents can complete the survey online, with paper copies available at the Municipal Administration Building, 375 Main St., Port Hood and various locations throughout the County.

The survey will close on May 20, with the next survey launching May 21.

As participation grows and feedback is collected, the Municipality will compile and share summary reports highlighting key themes and insights gathered from residents.

The Participaper is also available online: Participaper

To access the survey, visit April Survey – Participaper  

For more information, including a list of locations where paper copies are available, visit The Feedback Loop | Municipality of the County of Inverness .

Book Club Launch

Municipality Launching Inverness County Book Club

Following strong community interest, the Municipality of Inverness County’s Recreation and Community Wellness Department is pleased to announce the launch of the Inverness County Book Club this month.

In February, the municipality invited residents to express interest in community book clubs through an online form. The initiative received nearly 70 responses from across Inverness County, demonstrating a clear appetite for a shared reading experience.

How it works

Each month, the municipality will announce a new book selection for participants to read and discuss. The club operates on a flexible, month-to-month basis, allowing readers to participate when it suits their schedules or when a particular title interests them. Attendance is not required every month.

Monthly discussions will be held in four locations across the county:

• Mabou: An Drochaid, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., first Thursday of the month
• Inverness: The Dancing Goat Café and Bakery, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., second Thursday of the month
• Whycocomagh: Whycocomagh Public Library (Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre), 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., third Thursday of the month
• Chéticamp: Chéticamp Public Library, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., fourth Thursday of the month

Attendees should arrive having read the selected book and ready to take part in the discussion. Active members will also have the opportunity to vote on future book selections.

Books are chosen with availability through Eastern Counties Regional Library in mind; however, due to limited copies, participants may need to purchase their own. The municipality is not providing books at this time.

Launch event

The Inverness County Book Club will officially launch on Wednesday, April 15, at An Drochaid in Mabou at 6:00 p.m. This introductory session will provide an opportunity to meet fellow readers, learn more about the program, and share expectations for the club. Participants will also help shape ideas for future selections and discussions. Virtual attendance is also an option, and a link will be provided following registration.

Registration is now open at playfinder.ca. Advance registration is encouraged to support planning.

May selection

The first book for May is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.

For more information, contact the Recreation and Community Wellness team at recreation@invernesscounty.ca or call toll-free 1-866-258-0223 (select option 6).

Bulky Garbage 2026

Council Approves Spring Bulky Garbage Collection, Seeking Contractors

The Municipality of the County of Inverness is pleased to announce that the 2026 Residential Spring Bulky Garbage Collection is approved to take place starting Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The municipality has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure contractors to carry out the special collection. Interested contractors may submit a proposal prior to 2:00 p.m., April 23^rd, 2026.

The Spring Bulky Garbage collection allows residents to dispose of large items that are too big for regular curbside pickup. Please note that regular household garbage (items that can fit in a standard garbage bag) will not be collected as part of the bulky item pickup.

Start date for curbside placement: Sunday, May 17, 2026

To ensure your items are properly collected, they must be placed curbside within 10 feet from the road and left in place for the duration of the collection period.

For a complete list of materials accepted during the bulky garbage collection, residents can refer to the fact sheet.

Key Reminders for Residents:

• A 20-item limit per household applies.
• Items longer than four feet must be broken down.
• Keep all items within 10 feet of the road for easy access.
• The collection trucks will visit each road only once during the collection period.
• Regular household garbage and recyclables must be kept separate from bulky items.
• Items in trailers or trucks will not be collected.
• The collection team is not responsible for cleaning up debris after pickup.
• Residents must remove non-accepted items after collection.
• Be sure not to place important items near the bulky garbage pile – items mistakenly taken are not the municipality’s responsibility.
• If a yellow tag is placed on an item, it means it was not eligible for pickup. Please remove the item and dispose of it properly.
• Residential Spring Bulky Collection does not apply to commercial properties.

To learn more about properly sorting solid waste and recyclables, check out the Municipality of Inverness County Sort It Guide.

For more information, please contact the Solid Waste Team by calling toll-free 1-866-258-0223 (select option #1) or email waste@invernesscounty.ca.

Municipality Hosts Autism Acceptance Month Sensory Skate

The Municipality of the County of Inverness Recreation & Community Wellness Department hosted a special Autism Acceptance Month Sensory Skate on April 7th, offering a dedicated and inclusive ice time for individuals with sensory and accessibility needs.

This event was part of an ongoing Sensory Skate series held on Tuesdays at the Al MacInnis Sports Centre in Port Hood, made possible through funding support from the Association of Municipal Administrators Nova Scotia (AMANS). The series provides a consistent opportunity for individuals and families to access the rink in a calm, welcoming environment.

Designed to reduce barriers, Sensory Skate sessions feature a low-stimulus atmosphere with reduced noise, fewer distractions, and beginner-friendly supports. Participants are encouraged to skate at their own pace, helping to build confidence while ensuring a safe and positive experience.

“Programs like Sensory Skate are about more than recreation – they are about belonging,” said Krista MacInnis, Recreation & Community Wellness Department Youth Coordinator. “The session included light games and refreshments and provided additional opportunities for participants and families to connect in a relaxed and supportive setting.”

“By creating opportunities that are intentionally inclusive, we’re helping ensure that all residents have the chance to participate fully in community life,” said Anna Solomon, Accessibility and Senior Safety Coordinator.

The Autism Acceptance Month Sensory Skate was open to the public, with ice time specifically designed to support those with sensory needs. To learn more about the skating program, contact Accessibility and Senior Safety Coordinator, Anna Solomon at anna.solomon@invernesscounty.ca or call 902-258-7690.

Council Approves Land Development Agreements

Municipality of Inverness County Council Approves Land Development Agreements

During the April 2 Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Inverness County, two land development agreements were approved by Council.

• Rezoning Development Agreement – request for a mixed-use residential development on 47 Upper Railway Street, Inverness, by SCD Planning and Design on behalf of Place Craft Properties Inc. The request included converting an existing building on the property into an eight-unit residential building and to subdivide the remaining land into eight parcels for the development of semi-detached dwellings and mixed-use (commercial/residential) buildings.
• Development Agreement – requested a resort on 36 Chemin De L’Anse Des Bois Maries, Petit Étang, by Omar Gandhi Architects on behalf of Charlamara Holdings Inc. This request includes the development of rental villas, a spa, restaurant and retail shops.

Council invited public input to provide feedback on these development agreements at the March 26 Committee of the Whole Council meeting, following a brief presentation from Eastern District Planning Commission about each project.

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.

Next steps:

PLEASE NOTE that an aggrieved person, an adjacent Municipality, or the Provincial Director of Planning may appeal this decision to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board within 14 days of the date of this notice posted on Municipal website (April 16, 2026). For more information visit the Eastern District Planning Commission website at www.edpc.ca or phone toll-free 1- 888-625-5361.

Second Annual Awards for Excellence in Healthcare Gala

Municipality of Inverness County to Host
Awards for Excellence in Healthcare Gala Reception

The Municipality of Inverness County is proud to host the second annual Awards for Excellence in Healthcare Gala Reception on Wednesday, April 22 at Canton Culturel de Chéticamp, 15118 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp.

The Awards for Excellence in Healthcare, introduced in 2025, recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of healthcare professionals across Inverness County. The Awards for Excellence in Healthcare are generously funded in partnership with the Nova Scotia Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment.

“These awards are about celebrating the dedication of our healthcare heroes, while honouring the County’s commitment to a thriving community health system, and the next generation of medical professionals,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County.

A public call for nominations resulted in dozens of individuals in several healthcare fields being nominated. Winners will be recognized for their work at the gala dinner in Chéticamp. In addition, guests will be treated to a catered meal, and a vibrant evening of entertainment.

Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 22
Location: Place des arts Père-Anselme-Chiasson, Canton Culturel, 15118 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp

Performances By:

• Coastline: A young, high-energy band from Cape Breton made up of talented students
• Jenny Huang: Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Chinese Dragon Culture Heritage Association (CDCHA), presenting a stunning traditional Chinese dance
• Les Voix-Liées: With special guest Betty Ann Cormier, Michelle Lynn Deveau, and Jessica LeBrun AuCoin
• Peter Oyedijo: Celebrating African drumming in Cape Breton
• Inverness County Chamber Singers

Admission: $50 for the general public, and $35 for healthcare professionals – current or retired

Registration: Purchase tickets online

Sponsors:

The Awards for Excellence in Healthcare are supported by event sponsor; Zutphen Contractors. Other sponsors include Cabot Cape Breton, Judy Intelligence, The Dancing Goat, Acadian Credit Union, Freeman’s Pharmacy, Cape Breton University, Cape Breton Medical Campus; Lake Shore Living, Doctors Nova Scotia, New Dawn Enterprises, Multicultural Association of Cape Breton and Parks Canada.

For more information about the awards or the event, please contact Healthcare Navigator, Ocean Le at ocean.le@invernesscounty.ca.

Council Seeking Feedback: Private Hydrant Bylaw

Council Seeks Feedback on New Private Hydrant Bylaw

The Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness is considering the introduction of a new bylaw to set rules for how private fire hydrants are inspected, maintained, and kept in good working order.

The proposed bylaw would protect public safety by ensuring:

• Firefighters always have working hydrants in an emergency;
• The municipal water system isn’t put at risk; and,
• Private property owners meet their responsibilities.

It creates consistent expectations and protects everyone who relies on private fire hydrants for protection services.

What is a private fire hydrant?

A private hydrant is one that is connected to the municipal water system, but owned and maintained by a private landowner, rather than owned and maintained by the municipality.

Municipal hydrants are regularly inspected and maintained by municipal staff and contractors, but no process currently exists for privately-owned hydrants, posing a public safety hazard in emergency situations.

Public Feedback Welcome

Before voting on the new bylaw, Council is seeking feedback from residents to ensure the bylaw reflects the priorities of the community. Residents may provide written or oral submissions—either in favour or opposition—at a Committee of the Whole Council meeting.

Thursday, April 16 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, April 15 to:

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

Read the full proposed bylaw:

Draft Bylaw

Read a detailed summary of the proposed bylaw:

Summary

A paper copy is available at the Municipal Administration Building during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

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

One Bag Challenge

March 26, 2026

Municipality of Inverness County Kicks Off Earth Month with One Bag Challenge

The Municipality of Inverness County is inviting residents to participate in the One Bag Challenge this April. As part of Earth Month which takes place in April, the challenge encourages everyone to help keep our communities clean by collecting one bag of litter throughout the municipality.

How to participate:

• Pick up a litter kit at a participating Canada Post or library locations throughout the municipality. See below for a detailed list.
• Collect one bag of litter from anywhere in the municipality.
• Take a picture of the bag and email it with the location the litter was collected to waste@invernesscounty.ca.

For each bag of litter collected, participants will earn one entry for a chance to win a $50 gift card to their local grocery store.

“Whether you’re walking the beach with a bag, picking up litter along a walk with your dog or cleaning up a local park, every bag of litter you collect makes a difference,” says Nicole Latimer, Municipality of Inverness County Solid Waste Coordinator. “We had tremendous success with this initiative last year, and we are excited to see how the community responds this year.”

The One Bag Challenge winner will be announced on Friday, May 1.

Each litter kit includes gloves, bags, and everything needed to get started. Litter kits are available at participating locations throughout the municipality, including participating Canada Post offices, libraries and the Port Hood Municipal Building while supplies last:

This initiative is generously supported by Coastal Action, who donated supplies for the litter kits.

For more information, please contact the Municipality of Inverness County Solid Waste Team at waste@invernesscounty.ca or call 1-866-258-0223, option #1.