Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook
PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Director of Finance, Christien Deveau, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Francis Robichaud
Presenters:
ABSENT: Councillors Réanne Evans and Carl Deveau
1) Call to Order
The Warden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Approval of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following item be added to the agenda:
- 7.6 Exemption Request to the Noise By-law - Far Out Festival
The Warden asked that the following correction be made to the agenda:
- 7.3 Parking Lot – Dargie Cove Road
Furthermore, Warden LeBlanc asked Deputy Warden Pothier to chair the meeting for item 7.3 Parking Lot – Dargie Cove Road so that he could speak on this item as the Councillor for District 8.
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted revisions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.
4) Presentations
None.
5) Staff Reports
5.1 Financial Update – Christien Deveau, Director of Finance
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)
6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.
7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Active Transportation Plan
Following extensive public engagement, the final draft of the Municipality’s Active Transportation Plan was circulated to Council for review and consideration. The document provides key recommendations in terms of infrastructure investments, policy development, and program offerings. According to the CAO, the proposed plan should be treated as a living document which will help shape the Municipality’s active transportation efforts over the short, medium, and long term. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend approving the Municipality’s Active Transportation Plan as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
7.2 Capital Investment Plan 2026-31
The CAO presented an introductory draft of the Municipality’s proposed 5-year Capital Investment Plan (2026-2031). This document must be approved via motion of Council and submitted annually to the Province of Nova Scotia. This year’s deadline for submission is September 1, 2026. The plan itself is subject to change should new project opportunities present themselves or if a decision is made to no longer move forward with a specific project. Council was supportive of the proposed draft. A formal motion for its approval will be made at the July 22, 2026, Council meeting, following a presentation of the completed plan to Council by the CAO.
7.3 Parking Lot – Dargie Cove Road
The Deputy Warden Chaired this portion of the meeting.
In keeping with Council’s efforts to ensure beach access at various locations throughout the Municipality, the Warden has been in discussion with a landowner at the end of the Dargie Cove Road regarding the possibility of establishing a small parking lot on said owner’s land. If both parties agree, the parcel in question would be leased to the Municipality, as part of a formal agreement. The CAO has confirmed with the Municipality’s solicitor that a lease agreement is the recommended approach. Staff will provide some direction as to the required specifications for the parking lot, at which point the Warden and/or CAO will reach out to the aforementioned landowner and advise Council accordingly.
7.4 Letter to the Honourable Scott Armstrong, Attorney General and Minister of Justice
The Warden returned to chair the remainder of the meeting.
During the June 25, 2026, meeting of the Police Advisory Board, the issue of court reporting was discussed. More specifically, it was the opinion of the Board that the current availability of court reporting, particularly in rural communities, is severely lacking which in turn constitutes a disservice to the residents of said rural communities. As such, a motion was made requesting Council write a letter to the Honourable Scott Armstrong, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, outlining their concerns and requesting more stringent court reporting practices. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Honourable Scott Armstrong, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, requesting more stringent court reporting practices in an effort to foster greater transparency and public awareness.
MOTION CARRIED
7.5 Letter of Support – Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, Municipality of Digby
The Municipality of the District of Digby is applying to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund for financial assistance with the planning and construction of a community well in Weymouth. The Municipality of Clare is a partner in this project effort. As further evidence of the Municipality of Clare’s support for this proposed well, it is the recommendation of the CAO that a letter be prepared to accompany the Municipality of Digby’s application to the Province of NS. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend writing a letter to the Municipality of the District of Digby in support of its application to the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund, for the planning and construction of a proposed community well located at 88 New Road, Weymouth North.
MOTION CARRIED
7.6 Exemption Request to the Noise By-Law - Far Out Festival
An exemption request to the Municipality’s Noise By-law was received from the Far Out Festival for their event on July 24th and 25th at 1280 Second Division Road, Meteghan Station. By way of this request, the Far Out Festival is asking for Council’s permission to continue its activities up to 1:00 am on both evenings. The exemption request is compliant with the terms laid out in the municipal by-law. As such, the CAO is recommending Council grant the exemption. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:
PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend granting an exemption to the Municipality’s Noise By-Law to the Far Out Festival, for their event on July 24th and 25th at 1280 Second Division Road, Meteghan Station, up to 1:00 am on both evenings.
MOTION CARRIED
8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.
9) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED
9) Date and Time of the Next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on September 2, 2026, at 7:00 pm.
10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 pm.
Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant