News & Announcements

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Category: News & Announcements

Published: 14 July 2023

If you were born outside of Canada and now live in Unama’ki-Cape Breton, we want to hear from you! The Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) invites you to complete the 2023 Immigrant Survey between June 23 and July 14.

 You can complete the survey here and encourage your family, friends, neighbours and co-workers to fill out the survey as well. We hope to hear the perspectives of at least 250 people.

 What you should know about the survey

 The Immigrant Survey is a biannual survey for immigrants, refugees, claimants, international students, temporary workers and their families to share their experiences of living, working and studying in Unama’ki-Cape Breton

 The survey is estimated to take 10-20 minutes. It is completely voluntary and anonymous. The survey is available in English online. Anyone who would prefer to complete the survey by phone or in an additional language is invited to contact Kailea Pedley at 902 258 7331 or at .

 What’s in it for you?

By filling out this survey, anyone who was born outside of Canada and now lives in Unama’ki-Cape Breton can:

• Inform community planning for how to better support and empower immigrants and refugees to succeed;
• Share feedback with the 28 member organizations of the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (CBLIP) to improve the ways they are working with newcomers; and
• Be entered into a draw to win a gift card from either Sobeys (valued at $25, two available), Robin’s (valued at $20, two available) or Tim Hortons (valued at $20, two available).

Your story counts! Thank you for sharing your experiences and helping in our shared work to build healthier and happier communities where everyone feels supported and valued.

 Please visit www.welcometocapebreton.ca/immigrant-survey

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Category: Announcements (Recreation)

Published: 12 July 2023

Richmond Arena is centrally located in Richmond County and is the home to numerous organizations and teams such
as the Richmond Skating Club, Strait Richmond Minor Hockey and junior high/high school hockey teams. There is also a
Gentlemen’s Hockey League and a Senior’s Hockey Group are regulars every week. These groups
host multiple yearly tournaments and special events at Richmond Arena, which bring in tens of thousands of visitors
from all over the county, province and Maritimes every year!

The Municipality of the County of Richmond’s Recreation Department also offers public skates, senior skates, after-school
skates, parent and tot skates and birthday parties during the winter season (which runs from October to April). Once the ice season has ended, the Recreation Department utilizes the space for various recreation opportunities in the Spring and/or Summer such as ball hockey, dry-land training, etc.

Richmond Arena Advertising Package

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Category: Announcements (Public Works)

Published: 07 July 2023

What is treated wood?

Treated wood is wood that is chemically treated during manufacturing so that it will resist decay. During a factory treatment process, creosote, pentachlorophenol, or other chemical preservatives are injected into the wood. Treated wood does not include wood treated at home, like stained or painted wood.

Where is treated wood used in construction/demolition?

Treated wood is commonly used outside for things like telephone poles, railway ties, wharves, fences, decks, and retaining walls.

Is treated wood safe to use? 

Treated wood is safe to use in outside construction applications. It is designed to keep the preservatives in the wood while it is in use. New treated wood contains tags that identify the preservative, the amount of preservative retained in the wood, manufacturer, suitability for in ground or above ground applications, and consumer safety information on safe use. Consumer safety information would also be available through the retailer. Treated wood should be disposed according to the requirements of your jurisdiction.

Why is treated wood banned from disposal at Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris disposal sites?

Treated wood is banned from disposal at C&D sites by the Province of Nova Scotia to help prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water, because:

• Disposal cells can have large volumes of treated wood. A typical deck on a home requires about 1 tonne of treated wood, while a disposal facility can receive 100s of tonnes of treated wood each year.
• Over time, as treated wood decays, the chemicals that are used to preserve the wood can be released.
• Municipal solid waste landfills cells are built to prevent leakage and to detect contaminated water leakage. Contaminated water is collected and is treated before discharge into the environment.  C&D debris disposal cells are not built to this same standard. 

Does the disposal ban apply to new treated wood only? 

No. The disposal ban applies to both new and old treated wood waste from construction or demolition activities.

When does the disposal ban become effective? 

Treated wood is banned from disposal at C&D debris disposal cells by the Province of Nova Scotia as specified in the Solid Waste Resource Management Regulations. The ban is effective July 5, 2023. For the 1st year, C&D debris facility operators will be providing education to residents and commercial haulers on why treated wood has been banned. Enforcement of the disposal ban will commence on July 5th, 2024.

How do you identify treated wood? 

• New treated wood is tagged to identify the type of preservative that was used to treat the wood.
• Creosote timber is usually brown, tan, or black, with tarry-coated beams and lumber. It may leak tar when warmed. Creosote timber will often have an oily smell when new or if the wood is cut. 
• Pressure-treated wood is typically green or brown in colour and has small slits where the preservative was injected into the wood during the manufacturing process. 
• It should be assumed that wood from the demolition of wharves, fences, decks and retaining walls, along with old telephone poles and railway ties is treated wood.  

How do I dispose of treated wood?  

• It is recommended that you keep treated wood separate during a construction, renovation, or demolition project.  This makes it easier to manage and may reduce your disposal costs.
• If treated wood is in good condition, think about reusing it. 
• If you have to dispose of treated wood, it’s a good idea to check with the disposal facility before you bring it to them. C&D debris disposal sites can still accept treated wood for shipment to landfill. However, they may require you to separate out treated wood from other wood and C&D debris. 
• Burning of treated wood is not permitted. 
• Contact your municipality for further information on treated wood disposal options.  (902) 226-2396

What if I have additional questions about treated wood?

If you have additional questions regarding treated wood, please contact .

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Category: News & Announcements

Published: 04 July 2023

Property Tax Rebate for Seniors Program

This program provides a 50% rebate of residential municipal property taxes paid for 2022, up to $800. To be eligible for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors you must be at least 65 and receive, or be eligible to receive, the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or be between 60-64 and receive, or be eligible to receive, the Allowance in 2023. The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) and the Allowance are monthly federal supplements available to low-income Old Age Security pensioners.

To Apply

• Your 2022 municipal residential property taxes must be paid in full. The taxes must be in your name or include your name.
• Complete the application in full. An incomplete application may delay your rebate. All applications must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2023.
• 2022 municipal property tax bill and receipts which show taxes paid in full will be sent to the province by your municipality once the province receives your application.
• Mail to: Property Tax Rebate for Seniors, Box 283, CRO, Halifax, NS, B3J 2N7
• Fax to: 902-428-2164 (Please make sure to send both sides of the application.)

The Property Tax Rebate for Seniors forms have been mailed out on June 30th by the province. This year we will be providing a copy of bill and receipts to the province electronically.

**Seniors will be required to complete their application form and mail it to the province but will no longer require the Municipal Tax Sheet they used to request from the municipality.

We encourage seniors if they have any questions to phone the office at 902-226-2400.