Inverness County housing survey 2022
The Municipality of Inverness County conducted a public survey to gain insight into current housing needs between May and July 2022. The survey was available in both English and French. 879 responses were collected.
The data has been reviewed and analyzed, and a report was presented to council on April 6 2023.
View the highlights report [pdf]
The survey results have been shared with the Government of Nova Scotia to inform the province-wide assessment of housing needs which is currently underway.
The provincial government will develop municipal housing profiles for each of Nova Scotia’s 49 municipalities.
Municipal staff will work with the Cape Breton Partnership to create packages that housing developers can use when considering or building a new housing development. These packages will include housing survey results, census data, a list of local contractors, associated bylaws, and any incentives a developer may be eligible to receive.
Housing is a pillar of the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership. It is integral to attracting new residents to live and work in Inverness County. Housing, population growth, economic development, and immigration are closely intertwined.
Municipal staff will continue to work with the Cape Breton Partnership, using survey results to inform mutual priorities.
Beach Clean-Up Bingo!
Plastic Free July is a global movement of millions of people who are working – and playing – to be part of the plastic pollution crisis. Every year, 8 million metric tonnes of plastic enter the ocean – that’s the equivalent to 1 garbage truck full of plastic every minute!
Inverness County Waste Services Department has created Beach Clean-Up Bingo so residents can have fun while keeping our beaches clean and pristine. Plus you have the chance to WIN a $25 gift card to spend at Mabou Farmer’s Market.
Next time you’re at the beach, take a bag with you and pick up any litter you see. Every bit of litter counts.
Download the game rules and the bingo cards [pdf]
Submit your bingo cards to waste@invernesscounty.ca before August 2nd for a chance to win 1 of 3 $25 gift cards to the Mabou Farmer’s Market.
Tackling the effects of cognitive and physical decline
New sensory equipment available to loan at no cost
Notice of Phone Service Interruption | Inverary Manor June 26, 2023
For enquiries relating to clinical health of a resident:
For all other enquiries:
Jajiktek – the Seawall Trail
A unique and challenging wilderness hiking experience is coming to Inverness County
Running for roughly 50 km along spectacular, rugged Cape Breton coastline, once completed the Seawall Trail will be the only multi-day coastal hike of its kind along the Eastern Seaboard of North America. The Seawall Trail will be located primarily in the Pollett’s Cove-Aspy Fault Wilderness Area, which boasts unique and impressive attributes for outdoor recreation. Canyons that transect the coastal mountains create exceptional topographic and ecological diversity.
In addition to the multi-day experience, connecting day-use trails will weave through cliffs and coastal canyons on a similar scale to Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland.
Credit: Live Life In Tents
Championed by the Seawall Trail Society – a local volunteer-based community group – and supported by an engaged group of stakeholders for the past 9 years, the project has strong support from surrounding communities and partners. It will enhance Cape Breton’s reputation as a 4-season tourism destination.
The province of Nova Scotia has now announced funding and support for the trail to be constructed.
The Seawall Trail project is led by the Municipality of Inverness County. The project steering committee, co-chaired by the Seawall Trail Society, will include community and government representatives and provide guidance as the project progresses. The Municipality of Inverness County and the Seawall Trail Society will work alongside Build Nova Scotia, a Crown Corporation newly launched to drive economic growth in the province.
A shared undertaking
One of the unique aspects of the Seawall Trail project is the close collaboration between indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders in the project team.
The indigenous name for Cape Breton Island, where the Seawall Trail is to be built, is Unama’ki – land of fog. The island is part of Mi’kma’ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people which includes all of Nova Scotia and PEI, part of the Gaspé Peninsula, Newfoundland and most of New Brunswick.
Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN) has been a key partner in the Seawall Trail for several years. A Mi’kmaq engagement group has been set up to facilitate meaningful engagement with the community. This has enabled the project to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Mi’kmaq Elders.
This level of collaboration between indigenous and non-indigenous groups so early the project lifecycle is new in the province of Nova Scotia, and is another way in which the project is a ‘trailblazer’.
The trail concept
The Seawall Trail has the potential to become one of Canada’s iconic wilderness attractions and a world class tourism differentiator for Nova Scotia.
Outdoor enthusiasts taking on the multi-day hike will explore some of Northern Cape Breton’s pristine coastal wilderness while hiking from hut to hut over 5 days. Hut-to-hut hiking has become increasingly popular over the recent decades, including with international travelers.
“Of those travelers who participate in hiking, 1/3 of respondents said a multi-day hike would be the main reason for them to travel to Nova Scotia.”
Source: Tourism Nova Scotia (2019)
The trail experience will last 5 days with 4 unique hut locations along the trail. The hut system will provide a reward for hikers after the challenges of the trail, allowing them protection from extreme weather and significantly lightening their packs.
Meat Cove: Trail’s end
The 5-day wilderness adventure will terminate in the remote and beautiful community of Meat Cove, at the northern tip of Cape Breton Island.
Nova Scotia’s most northerly settlement, Meat Cove has been called ‘360° of beauty’. The village is surrounded by jagged peaks and interconnected mountains where eagles soar above. Its residents are known for their warm welcome as well as their deep love of the unique and fragile natural ecosystem that is their home.
Committed stewards of the land, local residents know that magic surrounds them in Meat Cove, and they are happy to share it with nature enthusiasts from near and far.
Credit: Destination Cape Breton
Nature-based tourism appeals to Nova Scotians and visitors alike
The international hiking market is large, and has shown strong growth in the past decade. It is currently one of the hottest trending activities through the adventure travel trade.
Nature-based tourism is increasingly important coming out of the pandemic and its potential contribution to local and regional economic development is significant. Aside from attracting adventure seekers from across Canada and the world, the Seawall Trail will have the appeal to keep Nova Scotians and their dollars local instead of travelling outside the province for this type of experience.
In addition to direct tourism revenue, operation of the Seawall Trail is expected to create jobs and stimulate private investment and business opportunities including guides, tour companies, accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and other adventure tourism operations.
The Seawall Trail is in an ideal location for the development of experiences and activities that will keep people in the area longer. It may also help entice people who’ll want to live and work in rural Cape Breton.
Sewer and water main replacement: Strathlorne and Inverness
The Municipality of the County of Inverness and its contractor, Zutphen Contractors, have returned to work on the Highway 19 project site between Strathlorne & Inverness.
The work will include
- setting the sanitary manhole frames and covers to grade
- landscape restoration to the properties disturbed by the infrastructure replacement construction last season
This work will be occurring between of the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSDPWs) maintenance garage and the intersection with Broad Cove Banks Road.
The manhole work has begun and is expected to be completed in approximately 3 weeks (weather dependent).
Asphalt resurfacing of the roadway is planned. The roadway is provincial infrastructure and the resurfacing will be managed by NSDPW.
Work hours will be from 7am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.
What to Expect
- Crews will be working on the shoulder of the road. Required traffic control procedures will be in effect.
- Speed fines double in work zones.
- Crews will require access to private properties as the landscape reinstatement work is carried out.
- For the safety of work crews, residents and staff, please do not approach work crews in the field.
Useful numbers
- Municipal 24-hour emergency line: 1-902-258-5048
- NS Department of Public Works: 1-844-696-7737
Aging well
With more than 30% of the resident population aged 65 and over, senior wellbeing is an important consideration for the Municipality of Inverness County.
Support for completing rebate application forms
- Seniors Care Grant
- Heat Rebate Program
Household hazardous waste drop-off event | August 26th 2023
Looking to get rid of your old propane cylinders?
The twice-yearly household hazardous waste event is taking place
- Saturday, August 26th 2023 | 10.30am-2.30pm
- at the municipal recycling facility in Strathlorne: 15109 Route 19, Strathlorne, NS B0E 1N0
This event provides residents the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste for free!
Residents can drop off:
- Household batteries (AA, AAA, etc.)
- Pool chemicals
- Pesticides/fertilizers
- Paint, spray paint, paint thinners
- Propane tanks and cylinders
- Household cleaners
- Bleach
- Helium tanks
- CFC’s/Fluorescent bulbs
Household hazardous waste is not accepted for heavy garbage or curbside collection. This is the only way to properly dispose of these items.
For heavy garbage pick-up visit: invernesscounty.ca/sortitout
Municipal Staff and Margaree Forks Co-op team up to make a difference on Earth Day
Every year on April 22, Earth Day activities mobilize 1 billion people in more than 190 countries.
The Municipality of Inverness County leads many initiatives promoting environmental and climate sustainability, like diversion of solid waste from landfills and conservation of water.
This Earth Day, the Municipality’s Waste Services staff teamed up with Margaree Forks Co-op to bring resources and useful information directly to community members.
Nicole Latimer is a solid waste educator with the County. She said, “it’s brilliant to get out in the community so people see us, can ask us questions, and know that we’re working on their behalf.”
The team at Margaree Forks Co-op have been celebrating Earth Day for many years and it has become quite a tradition locally.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Faye Tompkins said, “we live in an area of outstanding beauty, and people here have a strong connection to nature and the environment.
“The Co-op team are happy that we can help raising awareness for planet-friendly activities locally, and we’re happy to donate environmentally-friendly products for the prize draw, because it makes it easier for our shoppers to do their bit for the planet,” she said.
Leah Ingraham was the lucky grand prize winner. Three other prizes were also distributed.
Local residents came armed with questions on all sorts of subjects from heavy garbage, to what can be recycled or reused, and what to do about household hazardous waste. “Batteries, for example, never belong in the garbage,” said Ms Latimer.
“Improper disposal of household batteries has led to facility and truck fires and poses a serious risk to the environment and our health. Look for a battery recycling box near you or bring them, with your other household hazardous waste, to our drop off event on May 27th from 8am-12 in Strathlorne,” she added.
One of the County’s priorities is to let people know about the Recycle Cape Breton app, which you can download on any mobile device. Amongst other things it contains a “Waste Wizard” that lets you search over 600 different items that can be diverted from landfill.
The County also supports clean up activities, like the Trash Bash that’s taking place on May 6 in Margaree organised by Live Life In Tents. If you want to join or organise a community clean up, either register online through the annual Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up get in touch directly waste@invernesscounty.ca.
Notice of public hearing
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
MUNICIPALITY OF THE COUNTY OF INVERNESS, on behalf of its WATER UTILITY has applied for approval of amendments to its Schedule of Rates and Charges for Water and Water Services and amendments to its Schedule of Rules and Regulations.
This matter will be considered in a public hearing as follows:
Hearing starts:
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
1:00 p.m.
Address:
Port Hood Fire Hall
304 Main Street
Port Hood, Nova Scotia
Depending on the circumstances related to COVID-19, this public hearing may be held by GoToWebinar video conferencing.
Board Hearings are open to the public, and you may participate as follows:
• You may speak at the hearing. You must notify the Board by Thursday, May 18, 2023.
• You may make written comments by sending a letter to the Clerk of the Board at P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3, or by email at: board@novascotia.ca, or by fax at (902) 424-3919 by Thursday, May 18, 2023.
• You may request formal standing as an Intervener, subject to Board approval. This will allow you to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses. Your request must be received by the Board by Monday, March 13, 2023, and a copy of your written evidence by Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Additional information about the matter is as follows:
• For unmetered customers, the quarterly water bill is proposed to increase from $130.81 in 2022/23 to $227.04 (a 73.6% increase) in 2023/24; $245.67 (an 8.2% increase) in 2024/25; and $252.38 (a 2.7% increase) in 2025/26.
• For a 5/8″ meter, residential customer, the average current quarterly water bill is $90.01, and it is proposed to increase to $141.31 (a 57.0% increase) in 2023/24; $153.14 (an 8.4% increase) in 2024/25; and $158.72 (a 3.6% increase) in 2025/26.
• The Utility is also requesting increases for other metered services’ rates ranging from 38.3% to 97.0% in 2023/24; 8.4% to 9.0%% in 2024/25; and 2.8% to 4.8% in 2025/26.
• The annual public fire protection charge, paid by the Municipality of the County of Inverness, currently $216,629, is proposed to increase to $435,801 (a 101.2% increase) in 2023/24; $482,196 (a 10.6% increase) in 2024/25; and $508,809 (a 5.5% increase) in 2025/26.
Upon reviewing the Application, the Board, in its Decision, may determine that the proposed amendments should be as requested, higher, or lower.
A copy of the Application and any timetable applying to this matter may be viewed on the Board’s website at nsuarb.novascotia.ca, by clicking on “Matters & Evidence”, and in the “Go To Files and Documents”, enter Matter No. M10990.
View this notice as a pdf:
M10990 – Notice of Public Hearing