News
Municipality of Cumberland Expresses Concern Over Reported Closure of Nappan Experimental Farm
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Cumberland County Mayor Rod Gilroy, on behalf of Municipal Council, is expressing deep concern following reports that employees at the Nappan Experimental Farm have been notified of its impending closure and their resulting layoffs. Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada confirmed earlier this week that significant layoffs were pending, and affected employees living in the area advise that the facility will be closed.
“These are well-paying, skilled federal government jobs that support families and contribute directly to the economic stability of our region,” said Mayor Gilroy. “The loss of employment of this nature hits significantly harder in a rural area like Cumberland County than it does in larger urban centres, where alternative opportunities may be more readily available.”
Mayor Gilroy noted that beyond the immediate impact on employees and their families, the closure would have broader ripple effects on the local economy, including reduced spending and increased pressure on municipal and social services.
On behalf of Municipal Council, Mayor Gilroy is urging federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to reconsider any decision to close the Nappan Experimental Farm and to engage with employees, the municipality, and the community before taking irreversible steps.
“We are asking the federal government to fully consider the human and regional economic impacts of this decision,” Mayor Gilroy said. “Cumberland County stands with the affected employees and calls for a reconsideration that reflects the importance of these jobs and this facility to our rural community.”
Have your say on the future of the Municipality of Cumberland!
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The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is updating its Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw and this is your chance to help shape how our communities grow and change.
This focused review is all about making sure our planning rules are modern, practical, and reflect what matters most to the people who live, work, farm, and do business here.
We’re looking for community input on four key priority areas that affect everyday life in Cumberland:
- Coastal resilience and protecting our shoreline
• Housing and building balanced neighbourhoods
• Rural and agricultural land use
• Planning for renewable energy
Curious about what this could mean for your community and future development? Come learn more, see the preliminary ideas, and share your thoughts at one of our upcoming open houses.
Learn more at https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/mps-and-land-use-bylaw-review.html
Open House Schedule
Monday, February 2, 2026
9:30 to 10:30 AM – Tidnish Bridge Fire Department (3636 Sunrise Trail, Tidnish)
11:30 AM to 12:30 PM – Wallace Community Hall (13922 Sunrise Trail, Wallace)
1:30 to 3:00 PM – Pugwash Public Library (10182 Durham St, Pugwash)
Thursday, February 5, 2026
10:00 to 11:00 AM – River Hebert/Joggins & Area Community Centre (1808 NS-242, River Hebert)
12:00 to 1:00 PM – Upper Nappan Service Centre (1395 Blair Lake Road, Upper Nappan)
2:00 to 3:00 PM – Oxford Capital Theatre (5220 Main St, Oxford)
Monday, February 9, 2026
2:30 to 4:00 PM – Shinimicas District Fire Department (5051 NS-6, Northport)
5:00 to 7:00 PM – Wentworth Recreation Center (13752 Highway 4, Wentworth)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:00 to 4:00 PM – Southampton Community Hall (8845 NS-2, Southampton)
5:00 to 7:00 PM – Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre (6 Main St, Springhill)
Thursday, February 12, 2026
2:30 to 3:30 PM – Advocate Public Library (93 Mills Road, Advocate Harbour)
6:00 to 7:30 PM – Royal Canadian Legion Branch 45 (56 Moore St, Parrsboro)
Your feedback helps guide decisions that will shape Cumberland for years to come. We hope to see you there.
Notice of Adoption - By-law to Amend the Land Use By-law 25-09
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Second Reading and Adoption of the By-law to Amend the Land Use By-law 25-09 took place on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at a Special Council meeting.
This By-law enables the implementation, under the Land Use By-law, of the Intermunicipal Service Agreement between the Town of Amherst and the Municipality of Cumberland regarding the sanitary sewer service.
Notice of Adoption - By-Law to Amend the Public Sewers By-law 25-08
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Second Reading and Adoption of the By-law to Amend the Public Sewers By-law 25-08 took place on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at a Special Council meeting.
This By-law enables the implementation of the Intermunicipal Service Agreement between the Town of Amherst and the Municipality of Cumberland regarding the sanitary sewer service.
To see the bylaw, go to https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/government/by-laws/3189-by-law-to-amend-the-public-sewers-by-law-25-08-1/file.html
Municipality of Cumberland, Town of Amherst make historic agreement
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In an historic initiative finalized at a joint meeting of the two Councils on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Municipality of Cumberland and the Town of Amherst separately approved second reading of by-law amendments to complete the implementation of an Intermunicipal Agreement signed back in October of 2024.
The agreement features a boundary change to facilitate housing development by the Town and access by the County to the Town’s sanitary sewer infrastructure to support future residential development in the County just outside the Town boundary.
“This intermunicipal agreement is a strong example of how the Town of Amherst and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland can work together to address housing supply challenges," said Amherst Mayor Rob Small. "By aligning our municipal boundary and infrastructure planning, we’re enabling future housing development within the town while also extending sewer access to facilitate residential development outside, but near, our common boundary – a practical, forward-looking solution that benefits our entire region.”
Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy said the agreement shows what’s possible when both municipal units work towards a common goal.