Cumberland municipal council to terminate lease agreement for Cape d’Or
Cumberland municipal council has voted to immediately terminate the lease agreement with the existing tenant at Cape d’Or near Advocate Harbour and operate the facility as a static display during 2025-26 fiscal year.
It is also directing staff to review potential options for future operation of the site and the level of financial commitment required to move forward with each option and present recommendations at a future council meeting.
The Cape d’Or property is located approximately 6.4 km from the main road in Advocate and consists of a lightkeeper’s guesthouse, restaurant, lighthouse/cinderblock building, observation deck, helicopter pad, viewing platform, washroom and walking trails.
Developing a long-term strategy for the property is essential to ensure that municipal investments are purposeful, financially responsible, and aligned with broader community and tourism goals. By reassessing operations and exploring alternative management approaches, the Municipality can maximize the property's potential while maintaining fiscal responsibility and improving overall visitor experience.
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Brown named county’s representative volunteer, Leard family its representative volunteer family
Cumberland municipal council has approved Valerie Brown as the municipality’s adult representative volunteer and the Leard family as the family representative volunteer of the year.
Each year the municipality hosts a volunteer recognition event to recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. In anticipation of this event, the municipality began accepting nominations for both the Cumberland Volunteer Awards and the Provincial Volunteer Awards.
The municipality will be honouring 36 local volunteers at its volunteer recognition event on April 30.
This event coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 27 to May 3, 2025.
Brown is known for her friendly helpful attitude. She shows up and asks what she can do to help. She is the type of person communities need more of. She is always willing to help and assist those who need a helping hand. She shows others that there are many ways to volunteer.
What makes Brown exceptional is her generosity and patience and how she takes the time to connect with others. She has volunteered in many ways, including the Community Health Board, Hospital Wayfinding, hospital patient visitor volunteer, Cumberland Trails Steward, treasurer of the Peace Branch Royal Canadian Legion, Harbourfest, Gathering of the Clans, Communities in Bloom, as a Sunset community resident visitor and as a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer.
The Leard family—Wes, Stacy, Courtney, and Connor—has been volunteering together since 2017, with the parents having a longer history of community service. All four are deeply involved with the Wallace Fire Department, all while holding full-time jobs.
Regardless of the time of day or night, they respond to calls as a family: Wes, Connor, and Courtney as firefighters, and Stacy as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Courtney, after responding to emergencies, also participates in the Ladies Auxiliary.
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Cumberland municipal council votes to receive Joint Accessibility Plan
Cumberland municipal council voted to receive the Joint Accessibility Plan.
Nova Scotia has the highest rate of disability in Canada, with 37.9 per cent of people having one or more disabilities, above the national average of 27 per cent. This is expected to increase as the population continues to age, however people of all ages in the municipality have disabilities.
The Accessibility Act requires prescribed public service bodies, including municipalities, to appoint accessibility advisory committees, develop accessibility plans, and update the plans every three years.
The plan includes five areas of focus: Goods & Services: access to municipal services (e.g. snow removal, recreation programs); Built Environment: accessible buildings and public spaces; Information & Communication: clear and accessible information (e.g. bills, social media posts); Employment: equitable access to jobs with fair practices and Transportation: equitable access to transportation options.
Municipal council asks for report summarizing Pugwash storm sewer issues
Cumberland municipal council has voted to direct staff to provide, at a future council meeting, a report summarizing the issues related to storm water system in Pugwash.
Council has also asked staff to draft a letter to Nova Scotia Public Works requesting that improvements to the storm water system be considered and scheduled.
Pugwash residents have been asking for the storm system upgrade as many are having issues with flooding, while many want safe active transportation via sidewalks. The storm system needs to be upgraded before sidewalks can be built.
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Cumberland reaffirms support for Basic Income Guarantee
Municipal council has passed a motion that reaffirms their support for Basic Income Guarantee by sending a letter to Premier Tim Houston and the area’s Member of Parliament, asking for support for Basic Income Guarantee in Nova Scotia.
Council is also calling on the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities to support a Basic Income Guarantee and to speak to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Council recently had a presentation for basic income guarantee last week. The request was to have council reaffirm its support of a guaranteed livable basic income.