Victoria County Council met on Monday, July 20, 2026. 

This recap highlights some discussions and decisions from the meeting. It is not a complete record. Official meeting minutes will be posted on the Committee and Council Meeting Records page once approved at the next Council session.  

Watch the meeting on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/live/Z4RZXOuWL4g

Presentations to Council 
 

Village of Baddeck request by Roman Braun-Huettner  

The Village of Baddeck applied to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund (SCCF) for a hydrological study related to the operation of their water utility. The Village was told they were ineligible to apply for the grant, but the Municipality of the County of Victoria could apply on its behalf.  

Mr. Braun-Huettner asked Council if they would consider having Victoria County apply to the SCCF on Baddeck Village’s behalf. If the application is successful, the County would be required to enter into a funding agreement with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, receive and administer the funding and complete the required reporting to the province. This is not a funding request but does require administrative function from County staff.   

Because there will be administration time based on the request, an agreement would be required between both parties to clearly outline roles, responsibility and ownership.   

 Aging In Place presented by Alison Grittner PhD  

Council received an overview of the Homeward Bound program in Nova Scotia. It is a 7-year, $12.4 million research-led initiative based out of Cape Breton University (CBU) aimed at helping aging Nova Scotians (especially in rural areas) safely stay in their own homes longer. 

The communities identified for the program in Victoria County include Iona in District 1 (including Christmas Island in CBRM) and St. Ann’s Bay and North Shore in District 4.  

Project communities get:  

• Social supports: Community Navigator   
• Housing: Community Handyperson (at no cost to the homeowner)    
• Health Care: Health and Wellness Programs   
• Outreach: Mobile Research Van   

It was requested that Council recognize and support the Homeward Bound project in the communities located in District 1 and 4.    

Motions and Decisions  

Council approved the following motions:  

• to apply to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund on behalf of the Village of Baddeck and to enter into an agreement for this arrangement outlining roles, responsibilities and ownership.  
• to recognize and support the Homeward Bound program in District 1 and District 4.  
• to approve $3,500 from special projects for the Baddeck Lions Club to support Kidston Island programing.  
• that Council direct the CAO to cancel the 2022 municipal tax account for the Gaelic College including interest and penalties associated with that account subject to the confirmation that Council has the legal authority to do so under the Municipal Government Act and any other applicable legislation in consideration that Property Valuation Services Corporation has acknowledged that the 2022 property classification was incorrect. 
• to approve $2,000 from special projects for Victoria County’s partnership with Pitu’paq.  
• to request the CAO to direct staff to review the Community Standards bylaw and bring recommendations forward at a future Committee of a Whole meeting.  
• to approve the Second Reading of the Marketing Levy Bylaw Amendments. 
• to approve a request to waive $1,642.20 in tipping fees associated with the demolition of the Victoria Highlands Civic Centre.  

Municipal Matters 

• The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program has now concluded. The Clean Energy Financing Program helped Victoria County provide low interest financing to qualifying homeowners interested in undertaking clean energy upgrades.  
• We have received feedback that indicates the term “fire protection” is causing confusion because it’s also used specifically in the water utility context. Alternative terms, such as fire area rate or fire services rate, may have better described what this rate funds: fire department funding, fire services coordination, fire-related grants, hydrants, etc. However, “fire protection” is used by some other municipalities. Setting this rate is within the Municipality’s authority.  
• The next tax sale (by tender) is September 14, 2026. 60-day notification letters have been issued.  
• The Revenue department is working with Communications to address a rise in incorrect account numbers being used for online payments. When paying property tax bills through online banking, the account number must match exactly as it appears on your tax bill. When paying water utility bills through online banking, the account number must begin with “W”. Using correct account numbers for online payments remains the account owner’s responsibility. Entering an incorrect or incomplete account number may result in your payment being applied to the wrong account resulting in interest charges.   
• Our Waste Educator is hosting Tidy Fridays helping to keep our communities clean. Two events were hosted in Middle River and Little Narrows. Follow us on Facebook for Tidy Friday events in your community: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaCountyNS 
• The Tourism department in partnership with our Waste Educator are submitting the 2026-27 Divert NS grant application to enhance efforts to combat litter in the County.  
• Our Community Development Coordinator and summer students are continuing to support community groups this summer. Catch the team next at Highland Village Day 2026 on August 1.   
• Our tourism staff compiled a calendar of events happening across Victoria County. It’s available for all to access. https://community.victoriacounty.com/ 

Upcoming Meeting  

The next public meeting of Victoria County Council in 2026 is scheduled for:  

• Monday, August 17: Victoria County Council Session  

All meetings are posted on the Municipal Calendar.

Victoria County Council met on Monday, June 22, 2026.

This recap highlights some discussions and decisions from the meeting. It is not a complete record. Official meeting minutes will be posted on the Committee and Council Meeting Records page once approved at the next Council session.

Watch the meeting on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/live/hhr3LvgOvAQ

District 3 Councillor Sworn into Office

At the beginning of the meeting, Ian Nicholson was sworn in as Councillor for District 3 (Baddeck area) by Municipal Clerk and Executive Assistant, Steff MacLeod.

Councillor Nicholson can be contacted by email ian.nicholson@victoriacounty.ca or by phone 902-595-0857.

Presentations to Council

Food Security Beyond the Bank Project presented by Working Group Members Peggy Vassallo (Public Health) & Alix Redden (Victoria County)

Council received a presentation on food insecurity in Nova Scotia and the challenges facing rural communities like Victoria County. Presenters noted that nearly 29% of Nova Scotia households experience food insecurity, the highest rate in Atlantic Canada, and that many people who struggle to access food do not use food banks due to stigma, transportation barriers or limited operating hours.

The presentation highlighted additional challenges in Victoria County, including limited access to grocery stores, higher food prices and the cost of travelling to larger service centres.

The Beyond the Bank Project promotes a three-part approach to addressing food insecurity:

• Short-term: Food banks, pantries and meal programs that provide immediate support
• Medium-term: Community gardens, kitchens and food literacy programs that build skills and connections
• Long-term: Policy changes that address root causes such as income, wages and the cost of living

The group asked Council to:

• Raise awareness of local food initiatives through municipal communication channels
• Advocate for increased and sustained funding for food assistance programs with provincial and federal governments
• Endorse the Beyond the Bank recommendations
• Designate a Council representative to help champion food security initiatives and stay connected with the working group

Signage and Wayfinding Strategy presented by Adam Fine 

Council received a presentation on a proposed wayfinding strategy for Victoria County. Wayfinding includes the signs, maps, landmarks, place names, branding and visitor information that help residents and visitors navigate and understand a destination.

The presentation identified several opportunities for improvement, including inconsistent signage, complex directional signs, limited trail signage and a lack of a coordinated approach to promoting destinations throughout the County. It also noted that because the Province owns most roads, approvals are required for many signage projects.

Key recommendations included:

• Creating a simple and consistent wayfinding system across Victoria County
• Working with provincial and federal partners to improve signage and visitor navigation
• Strengthening the identity of the Cabot Trail and celebrating its beginning and end points
• Improving signage for trails, amenities, attractions and destinations
• Developing a simplified “subway-style” visitor map for the county
• Sharing local stories and cultural information in gathering spaces
• Simplifying road signage in partnership with the Province
• Dedicating staff resources to oversee wayfinding and signage initiatives

The proposed implementation would include:

• 85 vehicular signs
• 117 trail and interpretive signs
• 72 multi-use trail signs

The presentation estimated a total implementation cost of approximately $906,000, including fabrication, installation, consulting and staff time.

 Motions and Decisions

Council approved the following motions:

• To send a letter to Irving Oil regarding concerns about the parking lot and inadequate signage following recent construction work at the site.
• To direct the CAO to invite the Eastern District Planning Commission to a future Council meeting to discuss dangerous and unsightly property provisions and enforcement.
• To sponsor the Cape Breton Partnership’s Investors Summit, which will be held in Baddeck later this year.
• To pass the Second Reading of the Wastewater Charges and Rates Bylaw.
• To pass the Second Reading of the Wastewater Bylaw.
• To approve the First Reading of amendments to the Marketing Levy Bylaw, that includes 18 proposed changes to align the bylaw with those used by other municipalities.
• To approve a request to waive $1,934.16 in tipping fees associated with the demolition of the Victoria Highlands Civic Centre.

Municipal Matters

• The Ingonish Development Society is hosting a town hall on June 24 at 6 p.m. at the Keltic Lodge. Councillor Donovan will be the presenter for the County.
• A cheque has been written to Victoria Highlands Civic Centre (Rink Committee) for the County’s contribution to the new rink.
• Property tax bills were emailed on June 17 and have also been mailed. The due date is August 1. For more information visit: https://victoriacounty.com/residents/property-taxation-services/
• We have launched a Waste Collection Survey to start gathering feedback from residents about the waste collection services we provide. The deadline to complete the survey is July 31, 2026. Paper copies are available at any Municipal building, or it can be completed online at: https://www.engage.victoriacounty.com/solid-waste-recycling-survey/surveys/solid-waste-recycling-resident-survey
• The 2026 Municipal Grant Program cheques are being processed and will be mailed with accompanying letters once ready.
• The capital budget and water budget meetings will be scheduled soon, and the annual budget report will be published following the approval of the capital budget.
• Interviews for the Regional Manager of Emergency Services are taking place in Port Hawkesbury on June 26.
• The spring edition of the News and View newsletter was mailed and can be found online: Issue 11 – News-and-Views-Spring-2026

Upcoming Meeting

The next public meeting of Victoria County Council in 2026 is scheduled for:

• Monday, July 20:Victoria County Council Session 

All meetings are posted on the Municipal Calendar.