ICYMI: Council Meeting Recap for September 2026

Posted on:
September 25, 2026

Victoria County Council met on Monday, September 21, 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/E49KJcvY63M?si=Nf_SjhbX5HIEl500

Presentations to Council

Public Works Update by Steve MacDonald, Nova Scotia Public Works

Council received an update from Nova Scotia Public Works on road work across Victoria County and projects completed to date.

Work is ongoing in many areas of Iona following the Labour Day weekend rainstorm. They are expected to take another two to three weeks to complete. A detour through John Neil George Road is currently in place.  

Asphalt and gravel work is ongoing. Upgrades are complete or underway on Steels Cross Road, New Campbellton Road, the Upper Middle River Bridge and McCharles Cross Road.

Now preparing for the winter season. Jobs are posted for spare operators, and staff are preparing salt equipment.

Council members also raised questions about road conditions and maintenance in their respective districts. These are a few of the items discussed, please watch the video for the full discussion.

Red Point Road: Councillor Matheson-Lefort (District 1) asked about the status of many roads in Iona including Red Point Road. This road is a prone floodplain and not a great place for a road. Bridge engineers have assessed the area for a bridge at the first portion of the road and that is currently under review.  The new box culvert on route 223 is about two or three years old and designed to today’s standard which shows the magnitude of the water. Bridge structure on the road is being reviewed.

J-Class Roads: Councillor Nicholson (District 3) asked about the management and funding of J-Class roads. J-Class roads are primarily rural subdivision and local roads owned and managed by the Province through Nova Scotia Public Works. Repairs and upgrades are funded through a cost-sharing agreement between the Province and the Municipality. Funding is limited and is shared among municipalities across the province.

Vehicle damage: Councillor Patterson (District 5) asked whether residents can seek compensation for vehicle damage caused by road conditions. Claims can be submitted to the Province for consideration. How to File a Claim for Vehicle or Property Damage

Climate resiliency: Councillor Patterson asked whether climate resiliency is being considered when roads are repaired or upgraded. New construction is designed to current standards, while some areas are being identified for future work as needs arise.

TransCanada highway dip near Baddeck: Councillor Born (District 4) asked about a permanent fix for the dip in the on the highway. Additional signs have been added to the approach of the area on the road and barrels on the side of the road. They are lobbying for a permanent fix but there are no plans right now. A letter from the municipality about the issue could help to support efforts to get this area prioritized.

Sugar Loaf Bridge: The bridge was reviewed by an engineer and stabilized. Additional work is planned.

Brush cutting: Still underway but the new equipment doesn’t cut heavy material well. Working on funding programs to do more of the heavy cutting that is needed potentially with contractors.

Meat Cove Road: Grading is planned.

Big Intervale Road: This section is included on the provincial capital list.

Lake O’Law: Funding has been identified for this work, and a tender has been issued. There is currently no timeline for other projects on the capital list.

School bus signs: Requests for school bus signs are assessed first by the school board and then by Nova Scotia Public Works. Signs are installed where they are warranted, such as locations where sightlines are limited. Not all school bus stops require signage.

Community Petition for Village Garbage Cans presented by Glenda Kaiser

Council received a presentation regarding a community petition calling for garbage cans in the Village of Baddeck.

The petition received 429 signatures over four weeks. Presenters spoke about concerns raised by residents and businesses regarding litter and the lack of public garbage cans in the Village. They noted that some community members regularly pick up litter and that visitors have also commented on the issue.

The presenters asked the Municipality to help address the issue, including exploring a potential cost-sharing arrangement with the Village of Baddeck.

The Municipality currently does not provide public garbage cans in communities across the County. Council discussed the costs associated with adding this new service and noted that the Village of Baddeck should be part of the discussion, as the request relates specifically to services within the Village.

The presenters were encouraged to bring their request directly to the Village of Baddeck. The Municipality remains open to discussing the issue with the Village.

Emergency Health Services (EHS) Update presented by Krista Debaie, Acting Regional Manager, Eastern Region, and Mike Gillis, District Operations Supervisor for the Eastern Region.

Council received an overview of Emergency Health Services (EHS) in Nova Scotia, including how the system operates, the specialty services available in the region, and what happens when a 911 call requires a medical response.

The presentation also highlighted the importance of having a clearly visible civic address at your property.

When calling 911 from a cell phone, your civic address is not automatically attached to the call. Providing your civic address and ensuring it is clearly posted can help emergency responders locate you more quickly.

Learn more about Civic Addressing.

Motions and Decisions

Council approved the following motions:

• To direct the CAO to establish a consistent process for the submission, approval, and public disclosure of expense claims for municipal management, department heads, and other senior staff. Approved expense claims will be posted on the Municipality’s website. The CAO will also bring any required changes to the Municipality’s Expense Policy back to Council for consideration.
• To table to a future meeting a discussion on hiring a consultant for Strategic Planning and Governance Training.
• To bring the discussion on the Justice Department savings plan for community safety measures to a future Committee of the Whole meeting so that Council can provide direction on the matter.
• To raise concerns with Nova Scotia Public Works regarding the estimated $1 million-plus cost of relocating the waterline and the potential impact on the small water utility.
• To approve the CAO accepting the invitation to participate in a CAO focus group as requested by the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities regarding its review of the Code of Conduct for Elected Officials.
• To develop a Council Procedural Policy.
• To approve the Second Reading of the Commercial Development District Improvement Plan Bylaw with 2026 amendment.
• To approve the recommendations made at the September 14 Audit Committee meeting regarding the Q4 and Q1 updates.
• To accept the recommendations from the September 21 Finance and Audit Committee meeting regarding the audited financial statements for Victoria County Water Utility and Victoria County consolidated financial statements.
• To approve the recommendations made at the September 14 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding a resident survey for Ingonish property owners in the proposed Phase A wastewater catchment area.
• To approve the recommendations made at the September 14 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding Councillor travel reimbursement for travel within their districts and the related approval process.
• To approve the recommendations made at the September 14 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding the Public Works capital expenditure request for the purchase of a shredder.

Municipal Matters

• In conjunction with CBRM, Morgan, Solid Waste Educator, is reviewing options to host a sharps disposal day with Stericycle. Stay tuned for details.
• Work is ongoing to resolve a signage issue in the Village of Baddeck in cooperation with the Baddeck Area Business and Tourism Association, the Village of Baddeck, the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works, and the RCMP. Upcoming plans include educating the public on relevant by-laws, advising violators of violations, and enforcing and/or removing signs that are not within current by-laws.
• Work is underway on a new Community Profile for Victoria County that highlights investment opportunities, priority sectors, demographic information, and Economic Development Officer contact information. The profile will be hosted on the Cape Breton Partnership’s WelcomeToCapeBreton.ca Invest tab and on the new Victoria County website
• The County has been advised that the Ingonish RCMP Detachment will be an English-speaking detachment only. Residents requesting French service may contact the Cheticamp Detachment.
• The Eastern District Planning Commission will lead Coastal Planning outreach on coastal protection through workshops and surveys. The Commission has also released its 2026/27 budget, with the County’s contribution set at $175,883.
• The Victoria Reporter is now providing a free mailout copy of the paper to all County households.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

• Friday, September 25: All Municipal facilities closed for a staff event
• Wednesday, September 30: All Municipal facilities closed for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
• Monday, October 5: Committee of a Whole
• Monday, October 19: Victoria County Council Session 

The public are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings of Council. Meetings are posted on the Municipal Calendar.