Media Releases

Managed Urban Deer Hunt Plebiscite

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Published: Tuesday, 24 September 2024 13:53

A plebiscite will be conducted in several urban communities of the Municipality of Colchester during the upcoming Municipal Election asking residents if they support a managed deer hunt to help control growing deer populations. Similar to the Town of Truro, many communities throughout the Municipality of Colchester have experienced problematic increases in deer. These increases have disrupted local ecosystems, destroyed property (gardens and landscapes), and have resulted in numerous Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs) and unsafe driving conditions.

Earlier this Spring the Municipality began working with Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNR&R) in the Brookside/Bible Hill/Valley area to collect the 3-years of data required before a managed deer hunt can be considered. In 2025 data collection is anticipated to expand to the communities of Salmon River, Truro Heights, Lower Truro, and Hilden. These communities will all be included in the plebiscite during the election and will be asked to respond “yes” or "no” to the following question:

“Do you support a safely managed urban deer bow/crossbow hunt to control and reduce the urban deer population in and around your community?”

The Town of Truro spent several years in consultation with the DNR&R, researching, collecting data and gauging public opinion on how best to address their deer problem. A resulting Deer Management Strategy concluded that a controlled managed hunt is the most favourable population reduction method, in terms of effectiveness, feasibility, public cost, capacity, and time to implement. The Town, in partnership with Millbrook First Nation, has conducted several successful managed hunts since 2022 resulting in thousands of portions of protein being donated to Nova Scotia food banks through the Hunters Helping the Hungry program. A similar strategy mirroring Truro’s was adopted by the Town of Yarmouth in April of 2022.

What does a managed urban deer hunt mean?

A managed urban deer hunt is a controlled archery deer hunt, using carefully selected experienced, proficient archery hunters. These hunters operate under strict guidelines for the purpose of safely and humanely reducing the deer population numbers in select urban areas of the Municipality of Colchester for the benefit of natural ecosystems, citizen landscapes, reducing Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVCs) and an overall reduction of deer human conflict. A managed hunt would restrict the use of any firearms and would only involve bows/crossbows. The hunt would only take place in select areas of the community deemed to be safe and discreet (i.e., away from residences or places where people frequent) and a variety of necessary precautions would be taken to ensure public safety.

Sewage System Improvements in Colchester County

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Published: Thursday, 25 July 2024 15:15

Today the Province announced funding for the replacement of pumping stations in Lower Truro and Hilden, and 275 metres of sewer pipe in Brookfield and Great Village.  These sewage collection system improvements in Colchester County will help improve the reliability of services for existing homes and allow for future expansion.

“Colchester is a vibrant, proud community with a very bright future ahead - both for the people living and working here, and for those looking for a new place to call home,” said Tom Taggart, MLA for Colchester North, on behalf of John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “It’s crucial that this area has the infrastructure in place to continue to thrive and grow, and this investment will help set the course for that bright future.”

The Province will invest $973,000 in the project. An additional $973,000 will come from the Municipality of Colchester and other sources.

“The Municipality of Colchester welcomes the investments by our provincial government partners in strengthening our infrastructure to support new homes and businesses in our county. We are growing. New funding not only stretches our tax dollars to achieve more infrastructure goals, but it assists in our planning for the future,” said Christine Blair, Mayor, Municipality of Colchester.

The project is part of the Municipal Capital Growth Program, a one-time $102-million investment in projects across Nova Scotia – a historic provincial investment in municipal infrastructure.

Colchester’s Deputy Mayor Elected President of FCM

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Published: Wednesday, 12 June 2024 13:46

The Municipality of Colchester’s Deputy Mayor, Geoff Stewart, was recently named President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) at the organization’s annual conference held, June 6-9, 2024. After rising through the ranks and completing terms as 3rd Vice President in 2021, 2nd Vice President in 2022, and 1st Vice President in 2023, Stewart is now the national organization’s new leader. This is the first time that a representative from the Municipality of Colchester has held this position in the 123-year history of the FCM.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to have earned the trust and support of my peers to become President of the FCM Board. This is an organization that I am very passionate about and one that I believe can effect real change in municipalities all across Canada. I am especially proud to represent my home Municipality of Colchester in this important work and thank my family, municipal colleagues and staff who have supported me on this journey,” says Deputy Mayor Stewart.

FCM advocates for municipalities across the country and ensures citizens' needs are reflected in federal policies and programs. It has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. Members include more than 2,100 municipalities of all sizes, from Canada's cities, and rural communities, to northern communities including 20 provincial and territorial municipal associations. Together, they represent more than 92 percent of all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Image: Deputy Mayor Stewart being presented with the President’s Pin by now Past President Scott Pearce at the FCM Conference.

Boil Water Advisory - Tatamagouche Water Utility

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Published: Wednesday, 15 May 2024 17:40

Update - Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 12:30pm

The Boil Water Advisory for Tatamagouche Water Utility Customers has now been LIFTED. Residents no longer need to boil their water before consumption. 

Council Approves 2024/25 Operating Budget - No Rate Increase

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Published: Friday, 26 April 2024 10:18

Colchester County Council approved its 2024/25 operating budget on April 25, 2024, with no increase to the residential or commercial tax rates. This is the sixth year of the last seven that the Municipality has been able to keep its rates the same, with just a half cent increase in 2019. Residential properties will continue to pay $0.885 and commercial properties $2.28, per 100 dollars of assessment as determined by Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC), the independent, not-for-profit organization that is responsible for assessing all property in Nova Scotia.

The balanced budget increased from $38.7Million last year to just over $42Millon this year. An 8% increase in tax revenue from residential development and 14% increase in revenue from commercial development helped accommodate the larger budget without rate increases. “We are very fortunate that we’ve experienced record growth and development here in Colchester,” says Mayor, Christine Blair. “By increasing our taxbase we can accommodate the rising costs we’ve experienced in recent years without having to increase our tax rates.”

The budget supports the Municipality’s quality, core programs and services, and continues to invest in critical infrastructure and economic development initiatives. Partnerships such as the Truro Colchester Partnership for Economic Prosperity (TCPEP), the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, as well as future housing initiatives are also included.

Numerous community organizations will again receive support through the County’s extensive not-for-profit grant programs. “Council carefully reviews grant applications from dozens of community groups each year. These organizations, many volunteer-led, are critical to providing important services and facilities in our Municipality,” added Mayor Blair. “We are pleased to support these dedicated groups that work so hard to make our communities better.”

Each year the County’s operating budget is set within a context of competing needs, requests, opportunities, and anticipated revenues. Some costs and revenue streams are not within the Municipality’s control. Over 42% of taxes collected by the Municipality will be transferred to the Provincial Government for services such as schools, libraries, assessment services, and policing. This leaves the Municipality with $24.9 million dollars to deliver County-wide services such as sewage treatment, solid waste management, environmental planning, and recreation services.

Costs for education went up $973,000 this year while policing went up $670,000, each contributing to the required mandatory payments to the Province which totalled $17.3 Million. Retroactive pay for a new policing contract negotiated by the Federal government a number of years ago remains a concern. It is anticipated to result in increases to policing costs in the future.

“All and all, I want to thank Council and Staff for their tireless efforts in preparing this year’s budget. I am especially pleased that it positions us well for maintaining quality services and future growth, without increasing the tax rates for our residents,” concluded Mayor Blair.

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Celebrate African Heritage Month 2024

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Published: Thursday, 01 February 2024 13:53

February is African Heritage Month - a time to celebrate and recognize the history and culture of people of African descent.  This year's theme is "Our Smiles, Our Joy, Our Resilience as African Nova Scotians".

We encourage you to learn more about the history of African Nova Scotians in Truro and Colchester by reading Ashley Sutherland's book “From Whence We Come and Where We Go: African Nova Scotian History in Truro and Colchester,” found on the Colchester Historeum & Museum's website.

The Colchester East-Hants Public Library has also created a booklist of adult and young adult fiction and non-fiction materials by and about African Nova Scotians.  This list has a special emphasis on the African Heritage Month 2024  theme.

More information, events, and resources on African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia.