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.

March Feedback Loop Survey – Summer Recreation Programming

March Feedback Loop Survey Focuses on Get Active Summer Recreation Programming

The Municipality of Inverness County is launching the March edition of The Feedback Loop survey today, March 19, with a focus on Get Active summer recreation programming.

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.

“Community feedback plays an important role in shaping the programs and services we offer,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, residents can help us better understand what types of summer recreation opportunities they would like to see and how we can continue to support active, healthy communities across the Municipality.”

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 April 15, with the next survey launching April 16.

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

To access the survey, visit The Feedback Loop – Get Active Summer Recreation Programming .

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

Land Development Agreement Public Hearing

Municipality of Inverness County Council Seeks Feedback:
Land Development Agreements

The Council of the Municipality of Inverness County is considering the approval of two land development agreements.

• 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 includes 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 – request for a resort on 36 Chemin De L’Anse Des Bois Maries, Petit Etang, by Omar Gandhi Architects on behalf of Charlamara Holdings Inc. This request includes the development of rental villas, a spa, restaurant and retail shops.

Public Input Welcome:

Council invites public input on these development agreements.

Residents may provide written or oral submissions—either in support or opposition—at the next Committee of the Whole Meeting following a brief presentation by Eastern District Planning Commission.

Thursday, March 26 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 March 25, 2026, to:

Debbie Nicholson
375 Main St.
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0

Or by email: Debbie.Nicholson@invernesscounty.ca

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

Port Hood Fire Hydrant Replacement – March 10

Port Hood Fire Hydrant Replacement – Temporary Water Service Interruption

The Municipality of Inverness County advises residents that municipal staff will be replacing a fire hydrant in Port Hood on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

As a result of this work, nearby residents will experience a temporary interruption in water service. Traffic control personnel will be on site, and the roadway will be reduced to one lane during the replacement process. Motorists are asked to proceed slowly and exercise caution.

Project Details:

• Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
• Time: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Should additional time be required, the Municipality will provide an update.
• Fire Hydrant Location: Near 5 Ballfield Rd., Port Hood, across the street from 128 High Rd.

Residents Affected:

It is anticipated that residents from 10 to 206 High Rd. may be affected; however, the impacted area could extend beyond or fall short of this range. Residents in the surrounding area are advised to prepare accordingly.

How to Prepare:

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

Residents are encouraged to share this advisory with neighbours, friends, and visitors to help ensure everyone remains informed.

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

March Through Winter Activity Challenge

Municipality Launching Activity Challenge in March

The Municipality of Inverness County’s Recreation and Community Wellness department is launching the March Through Winter Activity Challenge, a month-long initiative designed to help residents stay active, connect with others and appreciate winter in Inverness County.

The challenge will run throughout March and feature a new theme each week. Participants are encouraged to take part in ways that work for them, whether that means getting outside, moving their bodies, connecting with others or noticing the beauty of winter around them.

“This has been a long winter with challenging weather, and it has been tough on residents,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “Our recreation team created this challenge to help people stay active and make the most of the season as we move through what we hope is the home stretch of winter.”

How it works

Starting February 27, a new weekly challenge will be shared each Friday. Participants can complete the weekly activity and submit a photo to be entered in a prize draw.

To enter, participants can:

• Post their photo on Facebook using the hashtag #MarchThroughWinterIC and tag the Municipality of the County of Inverness; or
• Email their photo to recreation@invernesscounty.ca.

Each submission counts as one entry in a prize draw to be held Tuesday, April 7. The winner will be announced on Friday, April 10.

The first week’s challenge, starting March 6, is Get Outside. Residents are encouraged to enjoy some fresh winter air in whatever way feels right for them—on their porch, in their yard, or out on a local trail or beach in Inverness County.

February Feedback Loop Survey Focuses on Youth

The Municipality of Inverness County is launching the February edition of The Feedback Loop survey today, February 19, with a focus on youth.

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, inviting residents to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas.

“We were thrilled to see many responses to our January survey on winter recreation programming and hope to see that momentum continue,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and share their perspectives. The more responses we receive, the stronger the information our staff can use to guide decisions and, where possible, implement improvements.”

While this month’s survey focuses on youth, residents of all ages are encouraged to participate and have their say.

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 March 18, with the next survey launching March 19.

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

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

PSA: Port Hood Fire Hydrant Replacement

Port Hood Fire Hydrant Replacement – Temporary Water Service Interruption

 The Municipality of Inverness County advises residents that municipal staff will be replacing a fire hydrant in Port Hood on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

As a result of this work, nearby residents will experience a temporary interruption in water service. Traffic control personnel will be on site, and the roadway will be reduced to one lane during the replacement process. Motorists are asked to proceed slowly and exercise caution.

Project Details:

• Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2025
• Time: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  Should additional time be required, the Municipality will provide an update.
• Fire Hydrant Location: Main St., Port Hood, near 165 Main St., Port Hood

Residents Affected:

It is anticipated that residents from 105 to 207 Main Street may be affected; however, the impacted area could extend beyond or fall short of this range. Residents in the surrounding area are advised to prepare accordingly.

How to Prepare:

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

Residents are encouraged to share this advisory with neighbours, friends, and visitors to help ensure everyone remains informed.

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