Inverness County Annual Volunteer Recognition Program Kicks Off
The Municipality of Inverness County is inviting residents to nominate outstanding local volunteers through its Annual Volunteer Recognition Program, celebrating the people who work hard everyday to help communities across the County thrive.
The program recognizes volunteers for their contributions with a certificate of recognition and a gift certificate from a Municipality of Inverness County business of their choice.
Recognition continues throughout the year through weekly volunteer highlights on the Municipality’s official Facebook page and featured in the Summer 2026 issue of the Participaper.
The program kicks off during National Volunteer Week (April 19–25, 2026), which highlights volunteerism across Canada.
How to nominate:
- Submit your form online: Online Form Submission | Municipality of the County of Inverness
- Contact Culture & Community Development Project Coordinator, Shannon MacLean at maclean@invernesscounty.ca or 1-866-258-0223, select option #7.
Nomination Deadline: April 10, 2026
Early-Bird Nomination Deadline: March 13, 2026
All early-bird nominees will be entered into a draw for the opportunity to represent Inverness County at the Provincial Volunteer Recognition Ceremony in September.
Residents looking for inspiration are encouraged to review the 2025 Inverness County Volunteers of the Year here.
We thank our volunteers for their continued dedication and service.
To learn more about the awards, visit Volunteer Recognition | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
Council Marks Day of Girls and Women in Sport
February 9, 2026
Council Marks Day of Girls and Women in Sport
At the regular meeting of council held on February 5, Warden Bonny MacIsaac read a proclamation officially recognizing National Girls and Women in Sport Day and acknowledged seven women who have championed sport in Inverness County for decades.
Those recognized include Velda Aucoin, a dedicated athlete, coach and long-time supporter of local sport who has consistently encouraged and uplifted young athletes in her community.
Ashley Crowley and Nadine Clark were also recognized for their leadership with the Cape Breton West Wave Volleyball Club, a women-led organization that has seen significant success in recent years. Crowley, the club’s director, is committed to growing volleyball opportunities in Inverness County, while Clark, an assistant coach, has spent decades fostering inclusive, welcoming sport environments.
Norma MacKinnon was acknowledged for her more than 30 years as an athlete, coach and advocate for girls and women in sport. Known for fostering community and connection, MacKinnon has worked tirelessly to create opportunities and remove barriers for women and girls.
Lori Shaw, an athlete, teacher, and coach, was recognized for her instrumental role in the success of school sports in her community. Through her coaching, Shaw empowers athletes and helps create a strong sense of belonging on and off the field.
Coline MacEachern, founder of the Port Hood Triathlon, was honoured for her contributions to sport and healthy living. A Boston Marathon participant, MacEachern has been a champion for running, fitness and active lifestyles in her community.
Janet MacIsaac was recognized for an extraordinary 50 consecutive years of coaching, making a lasting impact in ringette, track and field, cross country and softball. Known for her inclusive approach, MacIsaac ensures every athlete feels they belong and has an opportunity to participate.
“Sport and recreation in Inverness County would not be what it is today if not for these women and many others,” says Warden Bonny MacIsaac. “We’re proud to be able to recognize them for their leadership, advocacy, and the impact they’ve had on athletes and other coaches and mentors throughout the county.”
National Girls and Women in Sport Day highlights the important role women play as athletes, coaches, officials, mentors and volunteers, and the lasting impact they have on building strong, inclusive sport communities. Council hopes to continue to highlight the achievements of female coaches, mentors, athletes, and volunteers annually on this day.
Rural Mentor Network Recap
February 2, 2026
Municipality, partners host Rural Mentor Network session in Chéticamp
The Municipality of the County of Inverness joined Ignite Atlantic and community partners on Thursday, January 29, to host an information session on the Rural Mentor Network in Chéticamp.
The Rural Mentor Network, powered by Ignite Atlantic, connects youth, entrepreneurs and newcomers with local mentors who can share their knowledge and experience. The goal is to build local capacity and strengthen rural communities.
The session, held at local restaurant Last Chance Sandwich, invited residents who are retired or nearing retirement to learn how they can support the next generation through the network.
Ignite Atlantic staff were thrilled to see more than 20 people at the event.
“It’s exciting to see this level of interest,” said Ocean Le, the municipality’s healthcare navigator. “Our retirees have a wealth of experience living and working here, and this program creates a meaningful way to connect them with youth and newcomers.”
Representatives from the Welcome Network, the Cape Breton Connector Program and Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse (CDENE) also attended. The municipality’s Culture and Community Development team works closely with these organizations to expand support for residents across Inverness County.
Ignite Atlantic plans to host a follow-up session in Inverness County to build momentum for the initiative. For more information, visit igniteatlantic.com.
Gauging Interest for Book Clubs
February 2, 2026
Municipality Gauging Interest for Community Book Clubs
The Municipality of Inverness County’s Recreation and Community Wellness team is exploring the idea of supporting the startup of community book clubs and invites residents to share their interest.
The proposed book clubs would offer relaxed settings for people to connect in person, share perspectives and enjoy conversation centred on a shared read. The idea is to have it in-person monthly and provide some light refreshments for people to enjoy while sharing their insights on that month’s book.
Staff would like to hear from residents on what communities are interested in starting book clubs. Additional feedback on preferred meeting location, the timing of gatherings and book genres is also being sought. Interested residents can complete a form online at https://forms.office.com/r/YRsE31fpW1. Those unable to access the form online can contact recreation programmer Jason Calder at 902-258-7232 or by email Jason.Calder@invernesscounty.ca.
“Living in a rural place like Inverness County, it can sometimes be difficult to build and maintain social connections,” Calder said. “Part of our role is to create opportunities for people to come together through recreation, and a book club is a simple, low-barrier way to do that.”
As the department continues to expand and diversify its programming, it will keep engaging residents to ensure offerings reflect community interests.
For a full list of the department’s programming, visit invernesscounty.ca/recreation to view the monthly flyer.
Judique Water Conservation Update
January 29, 2026
PSA: Judique Water System Transitions to Voluntary Directive
Municipality Asks Residents to Keep Roads Clear for Snow Removal
The Municipality of Inverness County is asking residents for their cooperation in keeping roads clear of parked vehicles during and following snowfall events to help crews safely and efficiently remove snow.
Snow removal equipment requires full access to roadways to properly clear snow and ensure safe travel for motorists, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles. Vehicles parked on the road can significantly slow down operations and may prevent crews from clearing snow.
The municipality thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as crews work to maintain safe road conditions throughout the winter season.
Quick facts about snow removal:
- Roads owned and maintained (including snow removal) by the Municipality of Inverness County can be found here: Municipal-Roads-October-2025.pdf .
- All other roads are owned and maintained (including snow removal) by the Province of Nova Scotia’s Department of Public Works or are privately/owned maintained.
- Should you have a question or concern about snow clearing, please contact:
- Provincially owned roads: Call the provincial Operations Contact Centre toll-free at 1-844-696-7737
- Municipally owned roads: Call toll-free 1-866-258-0223, select option #4 or email public.works@invernesscounty.ca .
- If interested in learning more about plowing service times for provincially owned roads, visit WinterMaintenanceStandards.pdf .
- You can also check out other Nova Scotia Department of Public Works resources that may help during a winter storm:
- Call 5-1-1 for road conditions
- Road Conditions Map
- Winter Maintenance Standards
- Provincial Snowplow Tracker
- Highway Cams
- X (formerly Twitter)
Have Your Say! Municipality Introduces The Feedback Loop
The Municipality of Inverness County understands the importance of resident input and is pleased to introduce a new community engagement initiative launching in January 2026.
The Feedback Loop is a monthly survey designed to gather resident feedback on a variety of municipal topics throughout 2026. Surveys will be released on the third Thursday of each month, inviting residents to share their perspectives and ideas.
“The Feedback Loop is about listening,” said Warden Bonny MacIsaac, Municipality of Inverness County. “By providing residents with a consistent and accessible way to share their feedback, we can better understand community priorities and make more informed decisions that reflect what matters most to the people we serve.”
The first survey launches today, Thursday, January 22. and focuses on the Municipality’s winter recreation programming.
Each survey will include targeted questions related to the monthly topic, as well as opportunities for residents to provide general feedback about the topic. Surveys are designed to take no more than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain anonymous.
Surveys will be available online, with paper copies available at the Municipal Administration Building, 375 Main St., Port Hood and a variety of sites throughout the County.
Each survey will close the day before the next survey is launched.
As participation grows and feedback is collected, the Municipality will compile and share summary reports highlighting key themes and insights provided by residents.
For further information, including locations where paper copies will be available, visit The Feedback Loop | Municipality of the County of Inverness .
Residents are encouraged to take part and help shape the future of their community.
Grants Readiness Clinic Recap
January 21, 2026
Municipality Hosts Grant Readiness Clinic to Help Community Groups Access Provincial Funding
On Friday, January 16, Municipality of Inverness County staff hosted a Grant Readiness Clinic in Chéticamp to help community organizations prepare to apply for provincial funding to support local facility improvement projects.
Led by the municipality’s Culture and Community Development team, the clinic focused on helping participants view their organizations’ facilities as vital community spaces and describe why improvements matter for the community as a whole.
The session was held at Club de Retraités in Chéticamp and drew 20 participants, including 13 in person and seven online. Volunteers represented 15 community organizations from across Inverness County.
“It was great,” says participant Helena Aucoin, who attended the session on behalf of Le Manoir Saint-Pierre Housing Cooperative. “We appreciated that the municipality came to Chéticamp. The session was well organized and thought out, and we feel like we’re in good shape.”
The clinic was built around the province’s Community Facilities Improvement Program, a competitive funding program offered through the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. The program supports community-led projects that improve public-use facilities, including building repairs, accessibility upgrades and interior and exterior improvements.
The municipality plans to expand the clinic model to support volunteers applying for other funding programs in the future, as part of its broader capacity-building work with community groups.
“Inverness County is powered by volunteers,” said Shannon MacLean, a project coordinator with the Culture and Community Development team. “People bring different skills and experiences, and they know what their communities need. Our role is to help them tell their story clearly and access the tools they need to succeed.”
Participants received customized workbooks to help organizations collect and keep important project information, so it remains with the facility even as volunteer boards and leadership change. Each group will also receive a one-on-one session with municipal staff to refine their project narratives ahead of the provincial application deadline of Feb. 14.
About Culture and Community Development
The Culture and Community Development team works with community groups, volunteers, newcomers and youth to better understand local priorities and strengthen communities across Inverness County. Organizations or individuals seeking support can contact the department at ccd@invernesscounty.ca.
2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards Nominations Now Open
January 20, 2026
Municipality Opens Nominations for 2026 Excellence in Healthcare Awards
The Municipality of Inverness County is proud to announce the second annual Awards for Excellence in Healthcare.
Following the success of last year’s awards, this is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the dedicated healthcare professionals who work tirelessly and selflessly to serve others. The awards offer everyone the opportunity to highlight individuals who deserve special recognition of their service.
Nominations are now open, available online at invernesscounty.ca. Paper copies of the nomination forms will be available at the Municipal Administration Building (375 Main St., Port Hood) as well as Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, and at all East Coast Regional Library branches in Inverness County.
Award categories have been created to recognize everybody involved in the healthcare sector in Inverness County. Including but not limited to doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health professionals, volunteers, and more.
Nominations must be submitted by end of day Saturday, February 28, 2026. An awards committee made up of municipal staff and a mix of practicing and retired healthcare professionals will select winners, which will then be announced at an awards gala in Chéticamp on April 22, 2026.
For guidelines, a detailed list of award categories, and the online nomination form, visit invernesscounty.ca/awards-for-excellence-in-healthcare.
For more information, contact Healthcare Navigator Ocean Phi Long Le: ocean.le@invernesscounty.ca | 1-902-323-0057, Municipality of Inverness County, 375 Main Street, Port Hood, B0E 2W0.
The awards are made possible by support from the Office of Healthcare Professionals Recruitment & Doctors Nova Scotia.
Council Repeals Bylaw 36
January 12, 2025
Municipality of Inverness County Council Repeals Bylaw 36
At the Regular Meeting of Council on Thursday, January 8, the Council of the Municipality of the County of Inverness voted to repeal Municipal Bylaw 36—Pensions. The decision to repeal the bylaw was made as part of an ongoing bylaw modernization process.
Bylaw 36 outlined a former pension plan for municipal employees. 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. Bylaw 36 was repealed and not replaced.
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 169.