Parking Lot Closure: Municipal Administration Building

There will be no access to the parking lot behind the Municipal Administration Building on the morning of Thursday, May 14. Contractors will be onsite to install a light by the accessible parking space. The work should be finished by noon.

Please do not use the parking lot during this time. Keeping the area clear will give contractors room to work safely.

Thank you for your cooperation.

A close up photograph of the Neil's Harbour lighthouse with a blue sky with white whispy clouds in the background. Above the lighthouse in white text are the words "Holiday Hours"

Victoria Day Holiday Hours

Municipal Facilities

  • All municipal facilities are closed Monday, May 18, 2026 for the Victoria Day Holiday.
  • The Jim Bradley Recycling Depot, New Haven Recycling, and Dingwall Transfer Station are also closed on Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Waste Collection

  • Monday’s collection route is rescheduled to Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Please run your water for a few minutes once service is restored to clear any air from your water lines.

Water Service Notice for May 14, 2026 – Dingwall

Water service will be temporarily shut off to repair a water leak on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Affected customers are located between 244 Dingwall Road to the Markland Resort (802 Dingwall Road). Please run your water for a few minutes once service is restored to clear any air or debris from your water line.

We appreciate your patience as the repairs are undertaken and apologize for any inconvenience.

Please run your water for a few minutes once service is restored to clear any air from your water lines.

Water Service Notice – Dingwall

Update: Water service has now been restored. Residents may experience some discolouration or water pressure changes. Please run your water for a minute to clear your line.

Water service will be temporarily shut off for maintenance on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Affected customers are located between 244 Dingwall Road to the Markland Resort (802 Dingwall Road). Please run your water for a few minutes once service is restored to clear any air from your water lines.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience.

District 3 By-Election Notice of Polls

District 3 By-Election: Notice of Polls

The by-election for District 3 (Baddeck area) will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Electors may vote between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Administration Building, 495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck, NS.

Voting will take place by paper ballot.

Candidates

The following candidates are running for the office of district 3 councillor:

OFFICECANDIDATES
Councillor, District 3 (Baddeck area)Gary Crowder 
Ian Nicholson

Advanced Polls

The advance polls will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, between the hours of 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. at the Municipal Administration Building, 495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck, NS.

Returning Officer

For more information or to request the polling division description contact:

Steff MacLeod
Telephone: 902-295-3659 
Fax: 902-295-3331 
E-mailsteff.macleod@victoriacounty.ca 

Related Links

Candidates for the District 3 By-election
District 3 By-Election: Confirm you are on the electors list

Close-up of a red fire truck with gold lettering reading “FIRE-RESCUE,” overlaid by a blue banner with the text “Funding for Fire Services: Municipal and Provincial Contributions.”

Funding supports local fire departments and volunteers in Victoria County 

Funding for fire services in Victoria County will go towards firefighter training and water supply systems for local stations.  

Lyle Donovan, Emergency Management/Fire Services Coordinator, told Councillors at their regular meeting in April that Victoria County received $25,210 from the province. This funding will be used to support Level 1 Firefighting Training for local volunteer firefighters.  

Mr. Donovan also gave an update on previously approved municipal funding ($10,000 in both 2026 and 2027) for dry fire hydrants. Dry hydrants use a reliable source of water like a lake, pond or stream when there is no access to a traditional fire hydrant. Hardware has been purchased for 4 dry hydrants and the remaining funding will be used to install dry hydrants at two local stations this year. 

Fire Service Stats in Victoria County 

Victoria County is currently served by 11 volunteer fire departments, with substations in place to provide coverage across larger geographic areas. There are also three dispatch services operating in the County:  

  • Cape Breton Regional Dispatch 
  • Canso Dispatch 
  • Shubenacadie Radio Communication Center (SRCC) 

The goal is to move toward one centralized dispatch system.

In 2025, fire departments responded to a total of 451 calls and of those 21% were medical related, highlighting the growing demand on volunteer fire services. The North Shore and District Volunteer Fire Department had 101 calls and of those 51 were medical related and the Ross Ferry Volunteer Fire Department responded to 28 calls and of those 22 were medical related.  

2025 Victoria County Fire Calls

Volunteer Fire Department  Number of dispatched calls in 2025 
Baddeck  89 
Bay St. Lawrence 22 
Big Bras d’Or 49 
Cabot  39 
Ingonish  13 
Ingonish Beach  21 
Iona  26 
Middle River 36 
Neils Harbour  27 
North Shore & District  101 
Ross Ferry  28 

Changes are coming to fire services in Nova Scotia

The province has introduced new legislation and is working to modernize how fire departments are supported, trained and coordinated.

These changes will guide how departments operate and work together across the province.  

Victoria County will continue to monitor developments and work with local departments to understand how these changes will impact the municipality’s role in:

  • supporting local fire departments and volunteers and  
  • ensuring residents continue to receive reliable emergency response. 

Residents can learn more about the province’s three-year implementation plan on their website: https://novascotia.ca/modernized-firefighter-training/ 

Related Links 

Promotional graphic stating “Statistics Canada is hiring in Indigenous communities!” with three circular icons at the top and a dotted red, blue, and purple graphic accent. The image shows an aerial view of a coastline beside a dense forest, with a river winding through trees and small buildings near the shore.

Census jobs available in Indigenous communities

Finding local work close to home isn’t always easy, but meaningful opportunities are available. For the 2026 Census, Statistics Canada is hiring thousands of people in Indigenous communities. These positions offer a chance to build experience while working where you live. Local workers bring valuable insight related to the people, the culture, and the land.

What the jobs involve

  • As an enumerator (non-supervisory role), you’ll go door-to-door in your community, to help assist residents complete their census questionnaires. Pay is $25.87 per hour, plus approved expenses such as mileage and parking. Availability of a minimum of 20 hours per week is required, with the majority of the work completed in the evenings and on weekends. Employment runs from May 2026 to July 2026, depending on the position and location.
  • As a crew leader (supervisory role), you’ll lead and supervise an assistant and a team of enumerators. They are responsible for all activities related to the collection of completed census questionnaires in their assigned area. Pay is $31.32 per hour, plus authorized expenses. You must be available for full-time work (40 hours per week), including days, evenings, and weekends. Employment runs from March 2026 to July 2026, depending on the position and location.

Why these jobs matter

The data gathered in the census help build a statistical portrait of communities across the country. These insights help to inform decisions about education, healthcare, housing, social services, and more.

For job seekers in Indigenous communities, census positions can help you gain hands-on experience, strengthen in-demand skills, and contribute locally.

Applications are now open for both enumerator and crew leader positions.

Apply today at census.gc.ca/jobs.

Graphic with a green background and the text “Fire Services Modernization in Nova Scotia.” In the lower left corner are illustrations of red firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, crossed fire axes, a fire hose reel, and a firefighter helmet.

Fire Services Modernization in Nova Scotia

The Province of Nova Scotia is moving forward with changes to strengthen fire services across the province, including new legislation, updated training and the creation of a provincial Fire Commissioner role.

In Nova Scotia, fire services are delivered locally, but these provincial updates will shape how departments are supported, trained and coordinated.

For municipalities like ours, this work relates to ongoing efforts to:

  • support local fire departments and volunteers
  • plan for sustainable service delivery
  • ensure residents continue to receive reliable emergency response

This is a multi-year process, and Victoria County will continue to monitor developments and work with local departments. We will share updates as more details become available.

Learn more from the Province of Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/modernized-firefighter-training/

Links

A simple service notice graphic from Victoria County featuring the Victoria County logo and the text “Service Notice” and “Schedule changes due to staff training,” displayed on a blue and white background with curved design elements.

Municipal facilities are closing early for staff training on April 15, 2026

Municipal facilities will be closing to the public early on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 for staff training. Please see the table below for times.

FacilityClosing Time
Dingwall Transfer Station and New Haven Recycling Depot10:00 a.m.
Municipal Administration Building in Baddeck11:00 a.m.
Baddeck Waste Management Facility and Jim Bradley Recycling Depot1:00 p.m.

Census jobs: A great way to develop skills that strengthen any career

Today’s workplace evolves quickly. New technology, shifting priorities, and collaborative environments mean that the most valuable employees are those who can adapt, grow, and contribute in many ways. Building strong, versatile skills can help you succeed in any role and prepare you for future opportunities.

Working for the census is a practical way to build and strengthen these skills while contributing to your community:

  • Collaboration
    Working well with others is still one of the most important abilities you can bring to any job. Effective collaborators listen actively, share ideas respectfully, and help create a positive environment. Employers value people who support their teammates and contribute to a workplace where everyone feels comfortable and motivated.
  • Clear communication
    Whether you’re explaining a task, writing an email, or presenting an idea, strong communication skills help you succeed. Being able to express yourself clearly improves productivity, reduces misunderstandings, and helps you build strong relationships at work. It’s also a skill that carries through your entire career—from job interviews to leadership opportunities.
  • Leadership mindset
    Leadership isn’t only about managing a team. It’s about taking initiative, showing confidence, and helping others succeed. People with leadership qualities motivate their colleagues, contribute thoughtful ideas, and bring forward solutions—not just problems. Employers are always on the lookout for individuals who elevate the workplace around them.
  • Managing multiple priorities
    Modern jobs often require balancing several tasks at once. Effective multitasking isn’t about doing everything at the same time—it’s about staying organized, understanding what needs attention first, and adapting when plans change. Good time-management and organizational skills demonstrate reliability and help you stand out.

Building these skills doesn’t always require long-term roles or full-time commitments. Part-time or seasonal work can be a great way to strengthen your résumé, gain real experience, and grow your confidence.

If you’re looking for a practical way to build these skills, consider joining the 2026 Census team. Enumerator and crew leader roles offer flexible hours, hands-on experience, and the chance to contribute to an important national initiative.

Apply today at census.gc.ca/jobs.