CBRM News

Update Regarding Corporate Credit Card Investigation

Feb. 7, 2025

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is aware that the provincial Department of Municipal Affairs has informed media that they are satisfied with the municipality’s actions in investigating irregularities on a CBRM corporate credit card issued to the former Mayor.

Now that the provincial process is complete, the interim CAO will bring it forward to council for their direction.

Tom Miller Human Rights Award Recipient: Kendrick Douglas

Feb. 7, 2025

Mr. Kendrick Douglas, originally from Whitney Pier, was presented with the 2025 Tom Miller Human Rights Award at the African Heritage Month Gala this past weekend at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

This prestigious award honours the legacy of Tom Miller and recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of human rights, equality, and justice within the community. The late Tom Miller, Nova Scotia’s first black Alderman, was a dedicated, principled and tireless advocate who supported the rights of all Canadians, particularly those disadvantaged by discrimination or poverty.

Kendrick Douglas was recognized for his remarkable contributions to human rights and community advocacy. Mr. Douglas has built a career focused on justice, inclusion, and youth empowerment. As Legal Counsel for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, he works to ensure fairness and equity for those facing discrimination.

Beyond his legal work, he co-founded the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, serves on Cape Breton University’s Board of Governors, and has advanced diversity in sports through Hockey Nova Scotia’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. Mr. Douglas also played a key role in developing cultural competency training for lawyers, strengthening equity in the legal system.

Mr. Douglas was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2023. His dedication to justice, advocacy, and community service has left a lasting impact on Cape Breton and beyond.

Nominations Now Open for the Tom Miller Human Rights Award

January 13, 2025

The Tom Miller Human Rights Award is now open for nominations.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality welcomes your nomination for the Tom Miller Human Rights Award. The award will be presented to an individual of CBRM who has made a significant contribution to the Community with respect to the encouragement, promotion, initiation, or development of human rights within our Community.

Tom Miller was born in Halifax in 1917 - three months before the Halifax explosion. He and his family moved to Whitney Pier shortly after the disaster. Miller grew up to work in the Sydney Steel Plant and served in the Second World War. He became Atlantic Canada's first Black alderman when he was elected in Sydney in 1955 -- a seat he held for 17 years. Miller later became the first African-Nova Scotian to run for the provincial Liberals.

The closing date for nominations is January 23, 2025, and the winner will be announced at the African Heritage Month Gala on Saturday, February 1st, 2025 at the Membertou Trade & Convention Centre.

Tom Miller Human Rights Award Nomination Form

2024-25 Holiday season service notices

Dec 24, 2024

HOLIDAY CURBSIDE COLLECTION NOTICE:

Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on Wednesday this year. There is NO Curbside Collection on Christmas Day and an alternate day is arranged. All Garbage, Blue Bags and Green Carts regularly scheduled to be collected on December 25 will be collected on MONDAY, DECEMBER 30.

There is no curbside collection on Boxing Day, December 26. Extra garbage bags and green cart material will be collected on your area’s next regularly scheduled collection day. Blue bags will be collected on your area’s next regularly scheduled blue bag collection week.

There is also no curbside collection on New Year's Day: Wednesday, January 1. The next collection for that missed date is Wednesday, January 8.

HOLIDAY TRANSIT NOTICE:

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the last transit runs will be at 5:00 p.m, All buses, including Handi-Trans, will be off the road by 6:00 p.m.

Mayor and Council announce solicitor Kachafanas will serve as interim CAO

November 12, 2024

Mayor and Council announce solicitor Kachafanas will serve as interim CAO

Sydney, NS – Mayor Cecil Clarke and Council approved the appointment of Demetri Kachafanas today as interim Chief Administrative Officer for Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

After 17 years of service to CBRM, Marie Walsh is moving on from her employment there. Ms. Walsh has been Chief Administrative Officer since 2017.

Mayor Cecil Clarke expressed gratitude on behalf of the CBRM Council for Walsh’s contributions, which included outstanding financial stewardship of the municipality during her tenure as CAO, and formerly Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance.

“CBRM Mayor and Councillors thank Marie for her service and wish her the very best for the future,” said Clarke.

Kachafanas has served as the Municipality’s solicitor for the past 27 years. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University with a concentration in Finance. He was called to the bar in 1996 after earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Dalhousie University. He subsequently attained a Master of Laws (LLM) from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School with a specialty in Dispute Resolution.

Election results 2024

October 19, 2024

Results for the 2024 Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Election will be available at this link following the close of polls.
Polls close at 7:00 pm

Results will include the advance poll (October 10-15) with over 21,000 votes cast. Results from today’s in-person voting will be posted as the returns come back from each of the poll locations.

https://electionresults.cbrm.ns.ca/

Residents to receive voter information letters

The CBRM is advising residents that they will receive their voter information letters in October.

The voter information letter will feature all the necessary information to vote in the 2024 Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Election including voting options and locations. The letter will also contain a personal identification number that allows eligible voters to vote online or by phone starting Thursday, October 10.

If a resident does not receive a voter information lettter by the end of the first week in October, or loses their personal identification number, they can contact the voter helpline at 902-563-5010 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Residents can also vote in person on election day Saturday, October 19

Residents are encouraged to visit https://www.cbrm.ns.ca/information-for-voters.html for more information about voting in the 2024 Municipal Election.

Candidate List is Available

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is advising residents that the list of official candidates for the 2024 Municipal & CSAP Elections is available now!

Residents are reminded of the following opportunities to vote:

Alternative voting will take place between Thursday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 15. During alternative voting days, residents can vote electronically or by phone.
Election day is Saturday, October 19. On election day, residents can vote in person, using a paper ballot.

Residents will receive their voter information letter in the coming weeks. Residents are encouraged to visit www.cbrm.ns.ca/election for more information leading up to the 2024 Municipal Election.

Now Hiring 2024 Election Workers

The next general Municipal Election will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Interested in working during the 2024 Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial election? We are now hiring community members who:

want to participate in the democratic process
are looking for short-term, temporary work
are 18 years of age or older
are able to work legally in Canada
enjoy working with people
are problem solvers

Workers are needed beginning in September until Election Day on October 19, 2024. There are a variety of election worker roles. You can see different roles and rates here!

Wish to fill out an application online? Applications are now open.

Have questions? Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Water service disruption in Glace Bay

Update: August 25, 8:00 am

GLACE BAY WATER SUPPLY NOTICE: All tank levels have been restored to safe operating levels. Enhanced water conservation measures are no longer required by water customers.

Update 11:55 pm

Thank you to the community for conserving water as requested. Staff worked diligently today with multiple water main breaks in the Glace Bay and Area water system. A larger break was completed earlier this evening while crews are in final stages of repairing second leak area. Tanks and pressure are nearing normal levels, but users may still have some discolouration at first until the system flushes through.

Update: 7:45 pm

Public Works crews have located the break and repairs are underway. The request to conserve water continues for Glace Bay, Dominion, Reserve Mines, Birch Grove, Port Morien, Donkin and Tower Road. It is anticipated that it will be several more hours before pressure is restored and residents are asked NOT to run water until Public Works advises.

Update: 11:45 am
Water conservation is requested in the following areas served by the Glace Bay water supply system: Glace Bay, Dominion, Reserve Mines, Birch Grove, Port Morien, Donkin and Tower Road. Please do not use water unless necessary.

GLACE BAY - August 24, 9:20 am

There is a significant water service disruption in Glace Bay resulting in low pressures and possibly discoloured water in some areas. Public Works are presently searching for the leak's location. Water customers are asked to conserve water today while the repairs are conducted.

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