CBRM News

CBRM and Cape Breton Partnership seek community input on municipal planning and economic development plan

August 20, 2021

Open House events planned for week of August 23-27

SYDNEY, NS – The Cape Breton Regional Municipality and the Cape Breton Partnership are seeking community input for the municipality’s collaborative city planning initiative called “CBRM Forward”.

A series of open houses will be held across the CBRM next week, beginning with the Port of Sydney (August 23), followed by the Fireman’s Club in North Sydney (August 25), and concluding at the Miners Forum in Glace Bay (August 26).

Additional “pop-up” events will take place throughout the CBRM with both morning and afternoon sessions. In-person events will be held in accordance with public health guidelines.

Phase One of the two-year project is currently underway to develop an economic development strategy to address investment and business growth, as well as a growth management strategy to address immigration and population.

Provincial election questions for Candidates from Mayor and Council

Below are responses (PDF), posted in the order they are received, to the questions posed to provincial candidates by Mayor and Council.

The questions are as follows:

1. Equalization Fairness for Nova Scotia municipalities, and particularly CBRM, continues to be disproportionate. Without addressing this issue, the disparities in infrastructure and services are increasing between municipal units across the Province. Because provincial transfer payments to the CBRM have been frozen since 2012, the deficit between our mandated provincial costs and what we receive as a transfer payment now results in a $5+ million dollar deficit. As MLA, will you commit to developing a more equitable transfer formula for the CBRM?

2. The Mayor and Council’s draft Strategic Plan for the CBRM includes key infrastructure projects such as a new Central Library, Centre 200 expansion, development and increased commercial opportunities within our harbours and other important investments. How will you support these development projects to advance the CBRM in terms of growth and sustainability?

Councillor on medical leave

July 20, 2021

SYDNEY, NS – Cape Breton Regional Municipality District 10 Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger will be on a leave of absence to attend to personal health matters.
He has communicated with his constituents through Facebook to inform them of his absence and alternate contacts while he is away.

Note to my constituents: I will be taking a bit of time and stepping away from Councillor duties to attend to a personal health matter. While I am on the mend, several others will be able to assist you.
You can call the Council Office. Stacy will be able to assist. She’s at 902-563-5777. Or you can reach her by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Mayor’s Office can also help: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., as well as my neighbouring councillor Ken Tracey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding. Serving as your Councillor is a great source of strength and personal fulfillment. I’m looking forward to seeing you in the community again soon.

Mayor Amanda McDougall extended her best wishes to Councillor Bruckschwaiger. “On behalf of all Council and staff, we hope Darren will be feeling better soon and encourage him to take the time needed to get well again,” said McDougall. “We will do our best to assist his constituents in the meantime and look forward to seeing him back at the Council table when he is ready.”

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Professional Engineer for Port of Sydney Development Corporation Board of Directors

Call for Expressions of Interest - deadline August 6, 2021

Professional Engineer for Port of Sydney Development Corporation Board of Directors

The Council of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality requires the service of a resident of
CBRM who would be willing to serve as volunteer member on the:

• Port of Sydney Development Corporation (PSDC) Board of Directors
- one individual with a professional engineering designation for a two-year term

Water main break - Sydney and Whitney Pier

July 14, 2021

A water main break has occurred that is currently affecting all of downtown Sydney (Cromarty St. to North end area) as well as Whitney Pier.
Crews are working on the problem.
Water utility customers will experience low pressure, dirty water, or no water pressure.
Service restoration time is expected to be this evening.

Volunteers sought for CBRM water sampling program

July 7, 2021

SYDNEY, NS - The CBRM Water Utility is seeking volunteers for lead and copper sampling in residential tap water. The program is for customers of the CBRM Water Utility and is not for those whose water source is a well.

The Water Utility routinely monitors water quality within distribution systems. Last year, Nova Scotia Environment introduced additional sampling requirements for lead and copper within customers’ homes.

This sampling program will be provided free of charge to a limited number of customers in each CBRM distribution system (Sydney, Glace Bay, Northside, New Waterford, Louisbourg, Floral Heights and Centreville). Participants will be registered on a first come first serve basis until the program goals are met.

Customers can apply online at www.cbrm.ns.ca/water-utility

This water sampling will determine if lead and copper are present in customers’ tap water and a results letter will be provided.

Dog park planned for Northside

July 5, 2021

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is planning to construct a dog park for the Northside.

A new fenced dog park will be installed by the municipality near the Emera Centre Northside at 175 King St. in North Sydney.

The 20,000 square foot area is designed as a safe place for pet owners to engage in activities with their dogs.  The area inside the fence will be off-leash, but dogs must be leashed outside of the fenced area.

Dog owners can park at the walking track and walk up to the park.

Any comments or questions can be directed to CBRM at CBRM feedback

Construction will begin this week and CBRM will announce when the park is open and ready for use.

CBRM municipal services update

June 28, 2021

Sydney NS – Due to the Canada Day holiday, curbside waste collection services and transit services will not be operating on Thursday, July 1. Both services resume regular operation on Friday, July 2.

The Citizen Service Centre in City Hall on Esplanade in Sydney is closed on July 1, re-opening on Friday, July 2. The Citizen Service Centre counter is currently open to the public. All meetings with staff and officials continue to be arranged by appointment only.

The Northside Solid Waste public drop-off site will be closed on Saturday, July 3. The next drop-off site open date will be Saturday, July 17. The site will return to its normal schedule of the first Saturday of the month on August 7.

Centre 200 modernizes ticketing with new partnership with Ticketmaster

June 18, 2021

SYDNEY, NS - With an event-filled year ahead at Centre 200, a new agreement with Ticketmaster will help get Cape Bretoners back in their seats for sports and entertainment.

Centre 200 has entered into an agreement with Ticketmaster to provide ticketing service for the venue. Ticketmaster was the successful bidder on a request for proposals issued late last year.

The three-year agreement that has an option to be extended for an additional two years should both parties agree.

"This agreement gives us access to the expertise of the largest ticketing company in the world," said Cape Breton Regional Municipality Facilities Manager Paul MacDonald. "Our customers will see better and easier access to online purchasing, online transfer of tickets and greater flexibility when it comes purchasing and paying for tickets."

Road closure - Eighth Street New Waterford

The Council of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality intends to close a portion of Eighth Street, New Waterford, Nova Scotia, measuring approximately 33,633 square feet +/- more or less, which is more particularly delineated on the below map.

The purpose for the partial street closure is to provide green space and enhance safety for long term care residents and students as part of the New Waterford Hub Project. A public hearing in relation to the closing of a portion of the said street will be held on Tuesday, the 15th day of June, at 6:00 p.m.

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