Welcome to the Municipality of Yarmouth

The Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, affectionately known as MODY by the locals, is a diverse collection of communities located on the southern tip of Nova Scotia. Diversity can be found in our landscapes. The Municipality of Yarmouth boasts rugged and sandy ocean fronts, working wharves, rolling hills, old growth forests, quaint hamlets, bustling business districts and clean cottage country lakes. Diversity is found in our economy. Fishing, forestry, agriculture, light manufacturing, retail, personal services, professional services, and creative arts are a few of the sectors where vocational opportunities abound. Diversity describes the recreation and leisure offerings. Music, water sports, school and community sporting leagues, dancing, theatre, pottery, photography, wood carving, quilting and so much more are available. Diversity is celebrated in our people. With a global ethnic presence, the Municipality of Yarmouth is increasingly seen as an ideal place to put down roots, seize work/life balance opportunities and contribute to one's community. 

If you'd like to explore living, working or investing in the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, please contact the office of the CAO at 902-742-7159.
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Top News

For Immediate Release
 

Regular Council Meetings

November 13, 2024 - Hebron, Nova Scotia – The new municipal council will begin holding regular council meetings on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00pm. Committee of the Whole meetings will take place on the second Thursday of the month at 5:00pm. 

Note: Regular Council Meeting for December will occur on December 18 at 6:00pm. 

For Immediate Release
 

Municipal Council Elects Warden and Deputy Warden

October 30, 2024 - Hebron, Nova Scotia – The council members, who were recently elected on Saturday, October 19^th, took their respective Oaths of Office, signed the newly minted Code of Conduct for Elected Officials and elected the Warden and Deputy Warden. Under Council’s procedural policy, the Warden and Deputy Warden serve in those offices for the four-year term of Council.

John Cunningham was elected as the Warden and Trevor Cunningham was elected as the Deputy Warden. The Warden serves as the Chair of Council and is the Municipality’s spokesperson.

The 2024 Municipal Council is as follows:

District 1 - John Cunningham

District 2 - Daniel Muise

District 3 - Phil Mooney

District 4 -Jim Baxter

District 5 - Trevor Cunningham

District 6 - Loren Cushing

District 7 – Nick Hilton

Regular meetings are held twice a month: Committee of the Whole on the second Thursday at 5pm and council on the fourth Wednesday at 6pm. Council will be making its appointments to Boards and Committees in the coming weeks.

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Media Contacts:

Victoria Brooks

Chief Administrative Officer

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 902-742-7159

Mark Brewer

Communications Officer

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Phone: 902-742-7159

 

Mariners Centre Expansion Construction Tender Awarded

Wednesday, October 30^th, 2024 - Yarmouth, N.S.–The Mariners Centre Expansion Board (MCEB) has made a significant move forward with the planned expansion at Mariners Centre. The construction tender that was issued earlier this fall has been awarded to RCS Construction Inc. Construction will begin next month, and the project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2026.

“This is more than a wellness project. This is an investment in the health and wellbeing of our residents and will surely be a tool in the recruitment of new residents that choose Yarmouth County as their home. We are all so excited to be a part of this legacy project,” said Nicole Albright, chairperson of the Mariners Centre Expansion Board. “This project could not have become a reality without our dedicated staff, our funding partners at all levels of government, and the incredible work of our fundraising committee, who surpassed all expectations. The community is indebted to the generosity and commitment of this region.”

The campus-style hub expansion will offer amenities for health, wellness, and entertainment. Featuring a modern aquatics center, the new facility will provide a six-lane, 25-meter pool, a leisure pool, a fitness center, multi-purpose spaces, and an indoor walking track. The expansion will support programming and activities for youth and youth at risk, families, seniors and visitors alike — meeting contemporary environmental and physical accessibility standards.

Planning for a sod turning event will be announced shortly. The entire community will be invited to join the celebration to kick-off construction of this incredible new recreation facility.

For more information on the expansion project, including past updates, details on fundraising efforts, and an informative set of frequently asked questions, please visit https://marinerscentre.com/expansion

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Media Contact:

Nicole Albright

MCEB Chair

902-307-4474

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Swearing-In Ceremony for New Council Upcoming

Province of Nova Scotia Extends Yarmouth Ferry

October 15, 2024 - Yarmouth, Nova Scotia 

People and businesses will continue to benefit from the ferry connecting Nova Scotia and Maine as the Province extends the service and commits to finding a long-term solution.

A progress report on the comprehensive economic impact study released today, October 15, shows the service benefits all regions of the province and is not more expensive than comparable services.

“Our job with the ferry service is making sure it delivers good value for all Nova Scotians, and we continue to do the work to understand its impact,” said Public Works Minister Kim Masland. “This progress report shows us ferry passengers stay longer, spend more and travel throughout the province. It also illustrates the importance of maintaining consistency with the service.”

The service, between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, will continue for the 2025 and 2026 sailing seasons. After that, the Province will require new agreements for the vessel, operator and United States terminal operator.

The economic impact study by 21 FSP, which began in September 2023, will continue to collect and analyze data this fall. The final report is expected in the spring of 2025. 

Quick Facts:

• in 2023, visitors using the ferry spent more than $20 million in Nova Scotia and stayed in the province for an average of 8.2 nights.
• 38 per cent of passengers visited Halifax, 30 per cent stayed in the Annapolis Valley and 27 per cent travelled to Cape Breton.
• The ferry transported 38,430 passengers and 15,348 vehicles over 96 round trips in 2023.
• As of Thursday, October 10, the ferry has transported 48,804 passengers and 19,711 vehicles this season.
• The Province has budgeted $21 million for the service in 2024, and final costs will be known this fall.

(All Information courtesy the Province of Nova Scotia)

Municipality of the District of Yarmouth Council Approves 2024-25 Budget

May 30, 2024 - Hebron, Nova Scotia - On May 29, 2024, the Council of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth (MODY) approved the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Highlights include holding the tax rate and making key investments in programs and infrastructure to help improve the lives of the residents and businesses of the municipality.

Of note, Council has invested over $700,000 in regional projects, including the inclusive Jumpstart Multi-Sport Court at the Mariners Centre ($183,000), the Par-En-Bas track and field facility in Tusket ($175,000), co-sponsorship of the 2024 Congrès mondial acadien ($75,000), and completion of the commitment towards the rural broadband build out ($279,000).

Operationally, Council’s largest investments are in policing - $1.369 million (up 6.5% from last year); fire protection - $1.814 million (up 8.2% from last year); solid waste collection and disposal - $980,761 (up 4.3% from last year); and public education - $2.784 million (up 10.7% from last year).

Also approved was a $326,000 one-time, target inflation relief program for middle-income earners. Specifically, the Municipality of Yarmouth recognizes the economic challenges faced by residents and is committed to supporting them. A one-time tax rebate program is being offered to provide targeted relief to alleviate inflationary burdens for middle-income earners, who are unable to take advantage of our Low-Income Exemption program. By basing eligibility on total household income, the relief reaches those who need it most and haven’t been able to take advantage of existing support options. More information on this program will be shared on the Municipal website and Facebook page in the weeks to come.

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Quick Facts

• The Residential/Resource and Commercial rates have not changed since 2019-2020
• Municipal Expenditures have grown just over 43% 2018-19 to 2023-24
• Residential & Resource Tax Rates: $1.18 per $100 of assessment
• Commercial Tax Rate: $2.17 per $100 of assessment
• Special Assessment/Sewer: $89.66 per equivalent unit per quarter
• Fire Rates (per $100 of assessment):
  • F1 Carleton: $0.11
  • F2 Port Maitland: $0.14
  • F3 Yarmouth: $0.17
  • F4 Lakes & District: $0.17
  • F5 Lake Vaughan: $0.15
  • F6 Valley & District: $0.08
  • F7 Kemptville: $0.08

Media Contacts:

John Cunningham
Warden
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902-742-7159

Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
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902-742-7159

Marissa Parker
Communications Officer
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For Immediate Release

Yarmouth International Airport and Spiri Robotics Enter Into 5 Year Agreement Enabling UAV Research and Development at the Airport

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - Yarmouth, N.S. – The Board of Directors of the Yarmouth International Airport Corporation (call sign "CYQI") and Spiri Robotics, Inc. ("Spiri") are pleased to announce their 5-year agreement governing Spiri's use of the airport for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) research, testing, and development. The agreement, which extends until March 31, 2029, enables Spiri to lease and use portions of the airport for UAV test flights and other UAV related research and development. Pursuant to the agreement, Spiri will coordinate its UAV operations with CYQI's normal operations and obtain advance approval from CYQI and other relevant authorities for Spiri's operations.

“The Board of Directors of the Yarmouth International Airport Corp (YIAC) is very pleased to welcome Spiri Robotics, Inc. as a tenant of our airport facility,” said the Yarmouth International Airport Chair, John Cunningham. “The Yarmouth airport has the resources and unique positioning to support the aerospace/aeronautics industry, including research and development, pre-commercial testing, and full commercialization. Spiri recognizes this asset and has seized on the opportunity to form a business relationship with YIAC. We are excited to be a supporter of and a partner in their endeavours and look forward to a mutually prosperous future.”

“Spiri is excited to be able to conduct its UAV test flights and other research and development at the airport,” said Spiri's President Patrick Edwards-Daugherty. “Spiri is going to be test flying its drones at the airport year-round. It will help us to quickly move robotics concepts into real life applications. We look forward to growing our operations and headcount at the airport.”

Yarmouth airport is a full-service regional airport located in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Yarmouth airport can receive international traffic thanks to the presence of a Canada Border Services base in Yarmouth. The airport’s primary paved runway is 6,000ft and can handle everything up a Boeing 737. Jet A and avgas, de-icing services, 24/7 tower communications, mobile power, and overnight hangar storage are all available at this facility. The airport is an important link in the air transport space supporting Emergency Life Flight services, RCAF exercises, Coast guard surveillance, as well as charter and general aviation activities.

Spiri Robotics makes autonomous robots and artificial intelligence to help industry, science, and government rise to the challenges of our time in infrastructure, the environment, and defence. The company employs about twenty core team members, representing the many disciplines that come together to create amazing robots and solutions to modern problems.

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Media Contacts:

John Cunningham
Chair of the Yarmouth International Airport
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902-742-7159

Gregory Shay
Acting General Manager, Yarmouth International Airport Corporation
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902-742-7159

Paul MacInnes
V.P. Government Relations, Spiri Robotics, Inc.
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902-483-3722

Marissa Parker
Communications Officer, Municipality of Yarmouth
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902-742-7159

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For Immediate Release

Economic Impact Study Reveals Importance of the Port of Yarmouth

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - Yarmouth, N.S. - The Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission recently executed an Economic Impact Study to gain a better understanding of the Port of Yarmouth’s impact and importance to our local and regional economy. The findings showed what we have long known: the port plays a key role in supporting our local economy and creating jobs for locals.

The Port of Yarmouth is one of three divested, independent ports in the Tri-County region, and has been jointly owned by the Town of Yarmouth, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, and Municipality of the District of Argyle for the past 13 years. It is a key hub for the fishing industry in Southwest Nove Scotia, home to one of the world’s largest lobster fishing grounds.

Commission Chair, Guy Surette, says the report was an eye opener for the Board. “It seems that we have been taking the importance of this community asset for granted, not truly appreciating the value and contribution that the Port of Yarmouth makes to the area.”

Based on the findings of ASBB Consulting, authors of the Economic Impact Study, the port’s contribution can be conservatively valued at approximately $50,000,000.00 annually to the local area, supporting around 280 jobs and hosting upwards of 40 vessels that call this port “home”.

Furthermore, on average, in the last 5 years the port accounted for approximately 2.1%, or nearly $25 million of Nova Scotia’s fishing GDP. The port lands anywhere between 44 million to 85 million pounds of lobsters per year, as well as other species including herring, scallops, and groundfish.

However, improvements to the Port of Yarmouth are needed. The port infrastructure is aging, and re-investment is required to extend its service life. “The study was considered by the Board to be an important step on the road to seeking out the necessary funding partners from different levels of government with the goal of realizing its re-investment aspirations,” said Surette.

By highlighting the Port’s contributions and importance, the Industrial Commission Board hopes to gain support from funding agencies and to raise the awareness level of this important asset among the local community, who are ultimately the users of this marine facility.

View the Economic Impact Assessment Report Here

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Media Contacts:

Guy Surette
Chair of the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission
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902-648-7827

Gregory Shay
Acting General Manager of the Port of Yarmouth
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902-742-7159

Marissa Parker
Communications Officer
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902-742-7159