NOVA SCOTIANS HEAD TO THEIR MAILBOXES - Province-Wide Quality of Life Survey Launched

Friday, April 26, 2019 – Starting this week, Nova Scotians can check their mailboxes for an invitation to participate in a first-of-its-kind survey measuring quality of life across the province.

Approximately one-in-five households (80,000) will receive an invitation containing a unique code that enables them to complete an online survey.

The survey asks how people feel they are doing in eight key areas related to their quality of life, such as living standards, time-use and community vitality.

“Traditionally, much of the information we have used to make decisions about our daily lives has been based on economic data,” says Danny Graham, chief engagement officer with Engage Nova Scotia. “Those data aren’t wrong, they’re just incomplete. We think that if we have a more complete picture of how Nova Scotians are doing in all areas that matter to them, we’ll be better equipped to make decisions that help everyone live a good life.”

The survey is being led by Engage Nova Scotia with support from Nova Scotia Community College, and administered by the Canadian Index of Wellbeing at the University of Waterloo.

“We are excited to be part of this project, which is the first and most comprehensive province-wide survey on quality of life ever done in Canada,” says Bryan Smale, director of the Canadian Index of Wellbeing. “The information will provide Nova Scotians with an extraordinary opportunity to think creatively and generate innovative approaches that will help address the complex quality of life issues that residents from all regions of the province tell us are important to them.”

“We’re proud to support this unique, first-of-its-kind survey says NSCC president Don Bureaux. “It offers tremendous potential to shape the work we do everyday in pursuit of our mission: improving Nova Scotia’s economy and quality of life through education and innovation.”

“We’re working with a huge range of partners on this project,” says Graham.”NSCC campus principals, businesses, community groups and others have come together in ten Local Leadership Teams across the province to get the word out about this survey because they see how important it could be to our future.”

Once collected, the information from the survey will be compiled and prepared into up to ten regional reports. Those reports will then serve as the foundation for innovative approaches to priority-setting and planning at a local level for years to come.

“We’re imagining that the ten Local Leadership Teams will form the starting point for cross-sector working groups that focus on turning the results into action,” says Graham. “For us, this is more than a research project; it’s a ‘shaping our future’ project.”

Anyone over the age of 16 in a household that receives an invitation can complete the survey, which is open until July 5. Participation is voluntary and all personal information is completely confidential. People who would prefer a paper copy of the survey (in English or French) can call 902-407-2582 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

High-speed Internet access and assistance going online is available at all @NS sites. To find the site closest to you, or with general questions about the survey, call 211..

For more information, contact: 

Maria Rose
(902) 229-4649
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or 

For on-air interviews, contact:  

Michael Flood
(902) 999-7350
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Tri-Star Industries to build heavy-duty utility vehicle for the Yarmouth Fire Department

Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. –  The Yarmouth Fire Department will add a new and much-needed addition to its fleet soon. At a recent council meeting, a motion passed to contract Tri-Star Industries of Yarmouth to build a new heavy-duty utility vehicle. The new vehicle will replace Unit #26 - an ageing four-wheel drive recently removed from service because of safety concerns.

Tri-Star will build the newest fleet addition from a 2019 Ford f-250 4x4 heavy-duty. Like its predecessor, this truck will serve several uses including fire inspections, fire prevention, and traffic control at fire scenes. However, plans for the new truck are to have expanded capabilities.

 According to Fire Chief John Verrall, the upgraded Unit #26 will provide a variety of improvements that allow the department to be more effective in all situations.

“This vehicle gives us more capacity for equipment and better overall flexibility,” says Verrall. “We couldn’t store equipment on the old truck because of it not being protected from the weather, or from being stolen. The new truck solves those issues as the design includes a truck cap with storage on each side.  It will also have a large sliding tray for easy loading and unloading of equipment, improved lighting and visibility at scenes, and will be better for moving crews. It will comfortably accommodate five firefighters in full turn out gear.”

Besides the capacity improvements of the truck itself, Verrall adds that the new unit will also provide towing capabilities.

“This will be a three quarter ton truck with full towing capabilities which helps us now and in the future. It gives us the ability to move our hazmat trailer and boat, and then looking down the road we have the option to add more equipment that can be towed.”

Colin Murphy, Chief Business Officer at Tri-Star Industries said “We are pleased to have been selected by the Yarmouth Fire Department to build their newest utility vehicle. Our company takes pride in every custom vehicle we build, but it’s special to know this one will be serving our local community.”

The replacement of Unit #26 is the second move of late to improve the department’s fleet. In February, the Town purchased a new heavy rescue unit and “sold” the truck it replaced to the Eel Brook Fire Department for one dollar. The approved tender amount awarded for the new unit is $72,500. Work begins on the vehicle in the very near future with expected completion later this year.

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Image: Old Unit #26 being replaced.

The newly formed committee met recently to discuss a variety of topics, with a focus on quickly assembling a quality funding application for a major infrastructure project at Mariners Centre

Thursday, March 21, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. – A cross-section of staff and councillors from three partner municipalities recently met for the first time as the official Steering Committee guiding the Mariners Centre expansion project. The meeting allowed the group to determine its scope of work over coming months, and laid down important groundwork needed to allow for the fast assembly of a funding application due in June.

A number of action items were covered that will provide the committee with the tools and resources needed to complete the application in a timely manner. One key item includes a request to be put to all three councils for shared funding to cover costs of the application process. It was also agreed that, given the great detail of the application and importance of the project to the region, the hiring of an experienced project coordinator is necessary.

A request for decision from all three councils will be submitted to approve the position, and once the committee receives approval of its budget, a coordinator will be hired and housed at the Municipality of Yarmouth administration building to project manage the application.

Municipality of Yarmouth Warden Leland Anthony was appointed as Chair of the Committee while Argyle Deputy Warden Danny Muise was appointed Vice Chair.  According to Warden Anthony, the meeting was on target and the group all agreed that moving quickly on a funding application was a key priority.

“The first meeting of the Mariners Center Expansion Steering Committee went very well,” said Anthony.  “Work on the funding application will begin in the next two to three weeks.”

Deputy Warden Muise echoed Anthony’s view, saying “As Vice Chair of the Steering Committee, I am very happy to be able to work with the Town of Yarmouth and Municipality of Yarmouth towards making this important regional project a possible reality. Our first meeting was very productive in the sense that all three units are on the same page on what we want to accomplish”.

Prior to this committee meeting, it was determined that the focus for the application would be to fund an aquatics centre, an indoor track with associated outdoor track facilities in Tusket, and a field house which would serve as a multi-purpose recreation facility. Other needs will be considered in future phases.

The Group meets again on April 5^th to continue to move the project forward.

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About the Steering Committee

The Steering committee is a group of 9 comprised of three members each from the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, the Town of Yarmouth, and the Municipality of the District of Argyle. The members are: 

Municipality of Yarmouth
Warden Leland Anthony (Committee Chair)
Deputy Warden John Cunningham
CAO Victoria Brooks

Town of Yarmouth
Mayor Pam Mood
Deputy Mayor Phil Mooney
CAO Jeff Gushue

Municipality of Argyle
Warden Richard Donaldson
Deputy Warden Danny Muise (Committee Vice-Chair)
CAO Alain Muise

Halifax, March 20, 2019 – The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) applauds the Government of Canada for continuing to build federal-municipal partnerships in the 2019 Budget. This budget will deliver major benefits that will impact the daily lives of Canadians by getting more funds directly to their local governments.  

NSFM Vice President, Pam Mood, said, “Budget 2019 has a number of positives for Nova Scotia municipalities.  Growth in the Gas Tax Fund will help communities deliver even more infrastructure projects like better roads, bridges and transit. The national broadband strategy will help deliver reliable, province-wide internet. Access to the internet is essential to Nova Scotia communities when it comes to attracting businesses and residents”. 

Province-wide, high speed internet has been a priority of NSFM and it is expected the federal announcement will support and enhance the $193 million internet funding trust being administered by Develop Nova Scotia.

The budget also works to provide continued funding for housing initiatives and builds on success of past federal-municipal partnerships between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund. “Support for FCM is good news for NSFM,” says Mood.  “Our organizations work closely together to build better lives for Canadians by delivering results at the local level”.

NSFM continues to advocate on behalf of our members for our five annual resolutions: reform of the CAP, Extended Producer Responsibility for consumer packaging, new sources for municipal funding, modernization of municipal governance, and a new funding model for roads.

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About NSFM: The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) has been the collective voice for municipal governments across the province since 1906. With 379 members comprising Mayors, Wardens and councillors, NSFM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within provincial jurisdiction. Members include all 50 of Nova Scotia's municipalities.

Saturday, May 18^th will be the date of a By-Election for the purpose of filling vacant Council seats

Thursday, March 14, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. – A Municipal by-election will be held in the Town of Yarmouth on Saturday, May 18th for the purpose of filling a vacant seat that came about due to the passing of Councillor Sandy Dennis. Council unanimously agreed to the date during Thursday evening’s Council meeting.

A motion was also passed to nominate David Sollows to serve as Electoral Officer. As per the last two elections, electronic voting will be used. More details will soon be made available.

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Business development programs allow entrepreneurs to receive grant money and tax rebates while the Town benefits from first-class downtown businesses

Monday, March 11, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. - The Old World Bakery & Deli, one of Yarmouth’s established eateries, recently received its first property tax rebate cheque as part of the Phased-In Assessment Program designed to stimulate building construction and expand the Town’s economy. Having already received a $5000 grant as part of the Downtown Facade Improvement Program, the bakery is now realizing solid return on investment through these Town initiatives designed to nurture business growth and beautify Yarmouth’s Central Business District.

In 2017, Old World owner Nathan Bain purchased the former law office building at 381 Main Street. Although a solid structure, the property required considerable interior work to make for a welcoming and uniquely ‘old world’ atmosphere. The exterior also needed some attention, while respecting the architecture and provenance of the building’s past. Bain became aware of the Town’s downtown economic improvement programs and the timing was ideal for him to take advantage of both the Façade Incentive and the Development Rebate.

After a period of extensive renovations, Bain reopened the Old World Bakery & Deli in 2018 at its new location. The results were impressive and his passion and vision for his business were clearly reflected in the finished product. Already spoiled by a wide selection of healthy, made-from-scratch food choices, patrons were now welcomed to enjoy dining in a cozy and creatively designed space. Bain’s work and dedication paid off as the renovations resulted in his property value appreciating by 100%. The Old World has also enjoyed an increase in traffic, all due to Bain's investment and his dedication to delivering quality food in a truly inviting space in Yarmouth’s downtown.

The creation of these business development programs have helped in revitalizing the downtown, and according to Mayor Pam Mood, it takes business owners like Nathan Bain to take the leap and create unique experiences that draw people to the downtown core.

"We are so fortunate to have entrepreneurs like Nathan who blend equal parts courage and creativity to give us all these wonderful new businesses," said Mayor Pam Mood. "Since these incentives were introduced, and paired with the return of ferry service, we’ve quickly realized a transformation of the downtown. We now have great places to eat, shop, and simply get together. We’re realizing a change in how people use the downtown, and we have more development and investment happening each year. It’s a very exciting time in Yarmouth."

 Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill, who was integral in getting the legislation passed to make the Phased-in Assessment program a reality, mirrors Mood’s thoughts on how these types of incentives will help Yarmouth grow.

"It is very satisfying to see the real outcome of the legislative changes I brought in during my time as Minister of Municipal Affairs,” said Churchill. “I'm so happy to see municipalities use these new tax tools to encourage development and growth in our communities, and to see the real financial benefit to business owners. It’s great to see Yarmouth leading the way."

For Bain, the façade and rebate programs played an important part in helping him make the decision to invest in his business. He also believes the programs play a role in encouraging business owners and developers to take the extra step and create something of a higher quality.

“Both the rebate and facade programs are ideal for new, renovating, or relocating businesses, the latter two being the case for us at the Old World,” said Bain. “Any return or rebate available on a project of that scale is obviously ideal, not only by putting funds back into the business after the fact, but when looking ahead at future projects. One may be more inclined to invest in a higher caliber of work, knowing that a percentage of the costs can be returned at a later date.”

Bain also adds that working with the Town through these programs was a positive experience.

“Working with town employees on these programs was trouble-free, and I feel, helped build a better working relationship. It allowed for a broader knowledge of business in the town, even extending beyond the programs themselves."

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To find out more about the Façade Incentive Program and the Phased-In Assessment Program please visit:  

Phased-In Assessment Program -  https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/development-rebate-program.html
   
Downtown Facade Improvement Program - https://www.townofyarmouth.ca/downtown-facade-improvement-program-1.html 

PHOTO: left to right: MLA Zach Churchill, Mayor Pam Mood, Old World Owner Nathan Bain and his son Max