CBRM News

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.

Election 2024

Election Information for candidates and voters is on the Election page on the CBRM website.

Step 1: Ensure you are eligible to vote and on the voters list.
Step 2: Know the time to vote: Online only between Oct. 10 and Oct. 15. In person only on Election Day October 19.

Visit the Election page!

Two Housing Infrastructure Projects to Create Nearly 300 Residential Units in CBRM

July 3, 2024

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) has allocated $6.6 million to support housing infrastructure projects within the municipality.

“Accessing funding through the Housing Accelerator Fund allows the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to make investments in the infrastructure required for local developers to build much needed residential units,” says Mayor Amanda McDougall-Merrill. “Our partnership with the Federal Government of Canada will result in a significant increase of safe, sustainable housing options in the CBRM, and for many people an opportunity to finally find a place to call home.”

CBRM received $11 million from the Federal Government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Accelerator Fund, which aims to help remove barriers to build more residential units, faster.

CBRM received applications for funding from developers to contribute to the expansion of residential housing within the municipality. The approved projects and their respective allocations are as follows:

Urban Neighbourhood Development Association on behalf of Cape Breton University (CBU): Awarded $5.4 million to construct 145 new residential units at the former Tartan Downs racetrack in Sydney. Seventy of the residential units will be affordable units.

Construction of 67 townhouses and two 39-unit buildings
New public streets of approximately 720 metres
All new public water, sewer, and storm infrastructure
Installation of a stormwater retention pond

Joneljim Concrete Construction Ltd.: Awarded $1.2 million for the development of 144 new residential units off of Cossitt Heights Drive in Sydney.

Construction of twelve 12-unit buildings
New public streets of approximately 470 metres
Utilizing existing municipal water and sewer infrastructure for a portion of the development
All new storm water infrastructure

Women’s World Curling Championships delivered major economic boost for Sydney region

July 8, 2024

SYDNEY, N.S. – The World Women’s Curling Championships, held from March 16-24, 2024 at Centre 200, delivered a significant economic boost to the region. The combined spending of out-of-town participants, delegates, and spectators who visited Sydney for the event, in combination with the expenditures made by the event organizers, totalled just over $10.0 million, supporting just under $13.8 million in overall economic activity in Nova Scotia, including almost $11.9 million in economic activity in the Sydney area.

A comprehensive economic impact report, produced by Sport Tourism Canada revealed the event’s financial benefits.

The combined purchase of goods and services by the event organizers and local partners totaled just under $1.3 million. The championships also supported nearly $4.3 million in federal, provincial and local tax revenues across Canada.

Visitor statistics derived from an on-site survey conducted during the event indicate 31 per cent of respondents extended their stay in Sydney, Cape Breton and Nova Scotia by an average of 3.6 days beyond the event. Furthermore, 76.6 per cent of respondents expressed a high likelihood of returning to Sydney, Cape Breton or Nova Scotia in the future.

“The BKT Tires World Women’s Curling Championships not only showcased world-class curling but also delivered substantial economic benefits,” said Mayor Amanda McDougall. “These numbers demonstrate the importance of hosting major sporting events and their role in stimulating economic activity and community engagement.”

Citizen Handbook

Now arriving at CBRM residences!
Additional copies available by calling 311.

Citizen Handbook 2024 Summer

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