News
Virtual Meetings Notice - Council and Council Committee Meetings (Aug – Dec 2025)
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Friday, 15 August 2025 08:50
Take Notice that the following Council and Council Committee/Presentation meetings will be held both in-person and virtually:
Council Committee Presentations (held on an as needed basis).
- August 5, 2025 CANCELLED
- September 2, 2025
- October 7, 2025 CANCELLED
- November 3, 2025 (Monday)
- December 2, 2025
Regular Council Committee
- August 14, 2025
- September 11, 2025
- October 16, 2025
- November 13, 2025
- December 11, 2025 (6:30pm)
Council
- August 28, 2025
- September 25, 2025
- October 7, 2025 (Special Council - 5:30pm)
- October 30, 2025
- November 27, 2025
All meetings begin at 6pm unless otherwise noted. All open session portions of meetings are now being livestreamed here.
Dated August 11, 2025
Dan Troke
Chief Administrative Officer
Notice of Participation - Canoe Procurement
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 10:46
Date: May 29, 2025
Author/Byline: Scott Fraser, Director of Corporate Services
Category: Public Notices
Notice of Participation - Canoe Procurement
The Municipality of Colchester intends to participate in one or more procurements conducted by Canoe Procurement Group of Canada during the period of June 1st, 2025 to May 31st, 2026. For further information and access to the Canoe RFP notices, please visit the Canoe Procurement Portal at https://canoe.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en, www.purchasingconnection.ca or review the Nova Scotia Provincial Procurement designated tendering site at https://procurement-portal.novascotia.ca/tenders. For further information about Canoe, please visit their website at www.canoeprocurement.ca.
Council Approves 2025/26 Operating Budget – No Increase in Tax Rates
- Details
- Category: Media Releases
- Published: Friday, 25 April 2025 09:11
Colchester County Council has officially approved its 2025/26 operating budget with no increase to residential or commercial tax rates. This marks the seventh time in eight years that the Municipality has held tax rates steady, with only a modest half-cent increase occurring in 2019.
Residential property owners will continue to pay $0.885 and commercial property owners $2.28 per $100 of assessed value, as determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC), the independent, not-for-profit agency responsible for all property assessments in Nova Scotia.
This year’s balanced operating budget totals just over $45 million, up from $42 million last year. The increase is supported by strong local growth, including new builds, resulting in a 7.63% rise in residential tax revenue and a 2.27% rise in commercial revenue, allowing the Municipality to expand services without raising rates.
The 2025/26 budget maintains support for core programs and services, while investing in critical infrastructure, economic development, and community wellbeing. Funding continues for the County’s comprehensive grant programs supporting local not-for-profit and volunteer organizations.
“Council reviews requests from many dedicated community groups each year,” said Mayor Christine Blair. “These organizations—often volunteer-run—are the backbone of our communities, providing vital services and facilities. We’re proud to continue our support for their incredible work.”
Despite increasing financial pressures, including rising mandatory contributions to the Province, Council has delivered a responsible, forward-looking budget. This year, over 43% of the Municipality’s tax revenue—$19.3 million—will be transferred to the Province to fund services such as education, libraries, policing, and assessment. Education costs alone rose by $828,000, following last year’s $973,000 increase, while policing costs increased by $434,000, building on a $670,000 rise in 2024.
That leaves $25.7 million to fund essential local services such as wastewater treatment, environmental planning, recreation, and solid waste management.
“This budget is a reflection of smart planning, strong growth, and a deep commitment to our residents. Holding the line on tax rates—while still expanding services and supporting vital community initiatives—is no small achievement. I’m proud of the work Council and staff have done to ensure we’re not only meeting today’s needs but preparing for a stronger, more resilient future.” – Mayor Christine Blair.
Joint Regional Transit Feasibility Study
- Details
- Category: Media Releases
- Published: Thursday, 20 March 2025 09:22
Town of Truro and Municipality of Colchester Announce Joint Regional Transit Feasibility Study
Truro, NS – March 20, 2025 – The Municipality of the County of Colchester and the Town of Truro are pleased to announce the launch of a collaborative initiative to explore the feasibility of introducing new public transit options in the region. The municipalities have retained Arcadis, in collaboration with Colliers Project Leaders, to conduct a Regional Transit Feasibility Study that aims to explore how new transit solutions can connect communities, enhance economic opportunities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve social equity throughout the Truro and Colchester region.
This study marks an important step toward improving transportation infrastructure and fostering more sustainable and accessible mobility options. By assessing various public transit models, the project will consider how best to serve the diverse needs of residents, businesses, and visitors, with a strong focus on economic, environmental, and social outcomes.
The municipalities are committed to ensuring that the views, ideas, and concerns of the community are central to the planning process. An engagement strategy has been developed to gather meaningful feedback from residents, community organizations, local businesses, transit users, and other identified groups and stakeholders. Community engagement will run from March to May and consist of a variety of outreach activities, including a stakeholder workshop and interviews, pop-up information centres, and two public surveys.
"We are excited to embark on this important initiative with the Municipality of Colchester," said Cathy Hinton, Mayor of the Town of Truro. "Public input is critical to understanding the needs of our community and how best we can create a transit system that works for everyone. Together, we can develop a plan that not only improves transportation but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future."
The study is expected to evaluate different models of public transit that could be implemented across the region, taking into account environmental sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility. It will also explore potential partnerships and funding opportunities, with the goal of building a transportation network that enhances the quality of life for all residents.
"We believe this study represents a significant opportunity to enhance transportation in our region, reduce environmental impact, and improve accessibility for all," said Christine Blair, Mayor of the Municipality of Colchester. "The success of this project depends on the active participation of the public, and we encourage everyone to get involved and have their say."
The first public survey will be open from April 1-22, 2025, and will seek insights into residents’ current transportation challenges. Further details about engagement activities will be shared in the coming weeks.
For more information on the Regional Transit Feasibility Study or to learn how you can participate in upcoming engagement activities, please follow the Town of Truro or Municipality of Colchester's social media or visit their websites.
Together, the Town of Truro and the Municipality of Colchester look forward to working with the community to explore innovative public transit solutions that will benefit everyone in the region.
For more information, contact:
Alison Grant
Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Communications
Town of Truro
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (902) 893-1434
or
Joanna Burris
Sustainability Planner
Municipality of the County of Colchester
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (902) 897-3170
Volunteer Opportunities - Various Boards and Committees
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Wednesday, 18 December 2024 16:05
The Municipality of Colchester is currently seeking volunteers to fill various vacancies on the following Boards and Committees for the 2024-2028 term of Council:
- Agricultural Working Committee: representatives from the farming industry;
- Citizens Monitoring Committee (Kemptown Host Community): host community representatives and members at large;
- Citizens Monitoring Committee (for Wind Turbines): citizen representatives from each Debert, Greenfield/Lower Harmony, Nuttby, Tatamagouche, Truro Heights/Hilden, and Higgins Mountain;
- Debert Source Water Protection Advisory Committee: citizen representative;
- Debert Business Park Advisory Committee: business and citizen representatives;
- Flood Advisory Committee: citizen representative;
- Fundy Discovery Site Committee: citizen representatives;
- Joint Planning Advisory Committee: citizen representative;
- Police Advisory Board: citizen representative;
- Tatamagouche Planning Advisory Committee: citizen representatives (applicants must reside within the Village);
- Tatamagouche Source Water Protection Advisory Committee: citizen representatives (applicants must be from the French River watershed area); and,
- Tatamagouche Water Utility Committee: citizen representatives (applicants must live in the area serviced by the Tatamagouche Water Utility).
Letters of interest, including relevant background information will be received at the Municipal Building (Administration Office),
1 Church Street, Truro or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Expressions of interest will be accepted until all positions are filled.
Dated December 16, 2024
Dan Troke
Chief Administrative Officer
Truro-Colchester + You. Moving Accessibility Forward Plan
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- Category: News
- Published: Tuesday, 19 April 2022 16:06
Read the approved Truro-Colchester + You. Moving Accessibility Forward Plan.
The Truro-Colchester Moving Accessibility Forward Plan addresses accessibility improvements for the Truro-Colchester Region which includes Municipality of Colchester, Town of Truro, Town of Stewiacke, Village of Bible Hill, and Village of Tatamagouche. Working with the Regional Accessibility Committee, reachAbility attempted to include the range and experiences of all disabilities and all intersectional barriers. Based on the research reachAbility did and the feedback received, the plan provides recommendations for the Municipality, Towns, and Villages regarding Employment, Transportation, Built Environment, Information and Communication, Goods and Services, and Awareness and Capacity Building.