ICYMI: Council Meeting Recap for June 2026

Posted on:
June 24, 2026

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.