News
Notice of Approval - 2025 Colchester Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Thursday, 12 June 2025 20:27
TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Municipality of the County of Colchester has approved the 2025 Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law.
The purpose of the Colchester Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law is to guide growth and development and to control land use in all of Colchester, including previously unzoned areas of the Municipality. Second Reading and approval of these documents was given at a meeting of Council on March 27, 2025.
The effective date of the documents is the date of publication of this notice (June 12, 2025).
Copies of the 2025 Colchester Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law may be inspected at the Community Development Office, Municipality of Colchester building, 1 Church St., Truro, NS, during regular business hours or online www.colchester.ca.
Dated June 12, 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.
Governance Transition at the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society
- Details
- Category: Media Releases
- Published: Thursday, 22 May 2025 15:00
Truro, NS – May 22, 2025 – The Municipality of Colchester and the Town of Truro wish to inform the public of an important decision regarding the governance of the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society (Society), the organization responsible for operating and maintaining the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC).
After careful consideration, both municipal councils have made the decision to appoint new members to the Board of Directors, replacing the current community Board members.
The decision is not the result of any single incident or the actions of any individual board member. We are deeply appreciative of the time, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by all current and past board members.
The purpose of the Society is to manage the operations of the RECC. However, over the past year, the Society’s activities have expanded beyond the RECC to include external operations and initiatives. While these efforts may speak to a commitment to community growth and engagement, the municipalities believe it is essential to ensure that there is a strong, transparent business case in place when deciding on the sustainability of this expanded mandate and whether the Society is equipped to carry that out.
To support this process, the Town and Municipality will be appointing a new interim Board of Directors, consisting of eight new community members (four from each municipality), for a one-year term. The interim board will place a renewed focus on governance, including a comprehensive review of the Society’s contractual obligations and an in-depth financial analysis to assess the long-term sustainability of its activities.
All newly appointed members will be required to complete governance training and will be expected to take an active, accountable governance role during their term.
We understand the community’s investment in the work of the Society and the RECC. The Town and Municipality will support the Province of Nova Scotia to ensure that signature events, such as the 2025 Nova Scotia Stampede, will continue as planned.
New board appointments will be announced in the coming week. We thank all board members—past and future—for their service and commitment to our region.
For further information, please contact:
Dan Troke
Chief Administrative Officer
Muncipality of Colchester
902-897-3160
Michael Dolter
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Truro
902-895-4484
Notice - Special Council Meeting Thursday May 15, 2025
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Thursday, 08 May 2025 14:46
A Special Session of Municipal Council of the Municipality of Colchester will be held in Closed Session on Thursday, May 15, 2025, immediately following the regularly scheduled Council Committee meeting. This meeting will be conducted both in-person in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 1 Church Street, Truro, and virtually via Zoom.
The purpose of this Special Session of Council, in Closed Session, is to brief Council on a legal matter and to receive legal advice.
Dated May 8, 2025
Dan Troke
Chief Administrative Officer
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.
Notice of Intent - Second Reading Chapter 28 Land Lease Development By-law, Chapter 36 Commercial Dog Care Kennel Facility By-law, and Chapter 56 Wind Turbine Development By-law
- Details
- Category: Notices
- Published: Tuesday, 08 April 2025 16:55
Take Notice that the Council of the Municipality of the County of Colchester will consider Second Reading of proposed amendments to Chapter 28 Land Lease Development By-law, Chapter 36 Commercial Dog Care Kennel Facility By-law, and Chapter 56 Wind Turbine Development By-law, at the regularly scheduled Council meeting to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2025. This meeting will be held both virtually via Zoom Webinars and in-person at 1 Church Street, Truro, NS.
The proposed amendments to these By-laws are required due to the recently approved Colchester Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-law, and if approved, will ensure continued enforcement mechanisms for any existing permits or licenses granted under these By-laws.
The text of the proposed amendments to the By-laws may be inspected or a copy obtained at the Community Development Office, 1 Church Street, Truro, and is also available on the County's website at www.colchester.ca. Anyone interested in addressing these amendments either by written submission or in-person at the Council meeting, please contact 902-897-3170 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dated April 8, 2025
Dan Troke
Chief Administrative Officer
pdf
Chapter 28 Land Lease Draft Amendments (April 2025)
(3.09 MB)
pdf
Chapter 36 Commercial Dog Care Kennel Facility Draft Amendments (April 2025)
(812 KB)
pdf
Chapter 56 Wind Turbine Development By law Draft Amendments (April 2025)
(923 KB)