Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc; Councillors Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, and Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks
Presenters:
ABSENT: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and Councillor Réanne Evans

1) Call to Order
The Warden called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

2)  Adoption of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the proposed agenda be approved as circulated.
MOTION CARRIED          

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 February 25, 2026 – Regular Council Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the minutes of the February 25, 2026, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

5.2 March 4, 2026 – Council-In-Committee Meeting

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the March 4, 2026, Council-in-Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) Warden’s Activity Report – Warden Yvon LeBlanc
February 26 – Attended the first meeting regarding the agreement between Université Sainte-Anne and the Municipality of Clare as part of the University Municipality project.

March 6 – Attended a meeting with representatives of the Belliveau Cove Development Commission to discuss their ideas on the best way to showcase the “Jean Belliveau” boat.

March 11 – Attended a meeting with the Festival acadian de Clare and the Société acadienne de Clare to discuss the Festival programming.

March 12 – Attended a WREN meeting to discuss the impact of provincial budget cuts on the organization.

8) Official Statements from Members of Council
None.

9) Correspondence
9.1 The Honourable Scott Armstrong – Attorney General and Minister of Justice
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable Scott Armstrong, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. (See attached)

9.2 The Honourable John A. MacDonald – Minister of Municipal Affairs
The CAO read a letter from the Honourable John A. MacDonald, Minister of Municipal Affairs (See attached)

9.3 Mary-Anne (Narmada) Trusz – Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run
The CAO read a letter from Mary-Anne (Narmada) Trusz, Sri Chinmoy Oneness, Home Peace Run (See attached)

10) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of March. (See attached)

11) Committee Reports
None

12)  New Business
12.1 Motion to Approve Capital Funding Contribution – Université Sainte-Anne
The Municipality traditionally allows for $50,000 in its annual operating budget to assist Université Sainte-Anne with needed additions and/or repairs to recreational infrastructure (i.e., pool, rink, etc.). Larger infrastructure projects (i.e. construction of the new track and field) in excess of this $50,000 allocation are treated on a case-by-case basis. Since 2024-25, the Municipality has committed $210,000 to the University - $100,000 for the rink, $60,000 for the pool, and $50,000 for a 5-year sponsorship of the Dragons sports program. As part of its recently launched capital financing campaign, Université Sainte President, Kenneth Deveau, has asked if the Municipality could confirm its $50,000 annual contribution in writing for the next three years. Whereas this request aligns with the Municipality`s current practice and focuses specifically on recreational infrastructure which benefits the larger community, the CAO is recommending Council issue a letter confirming the funding in question. Council agreed and made the following motion:    

MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare write a letter to University Sainte-Anne confirming the Municipality of Clare’s funding contribution of $50,000 for the next three years.
MOTION CARRIED

12.2 Motion to Approve Pre-Approval Resolution – Spring Debenture 2026
The Municipality had previously arranged interim funding for the Clare Veterans Centre project with the intention of rolling up these short-term borrowings into the Province’s 2026 spring debenture offering. In order to do so, the Municipality must approve a resolution for pre-approval of debenture issuance. That said, Council made the following motion:

MOVED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a resolution for pre-approval debenture issuance not exceeding $3,300,000 for the construction of the Clare Veterans Centre.
MOTION CARRIED

12.3 Funding Approval - AMANS Equity, Anti-racism, and Accessibility Grants 2026-27
The Municipality has received $1,500 from the AMANS Equity, Anti-racism, and Accessibility Grant for the fabrication and installation of bilingual and brail signage for the municipal office. The signs have been ordered and will be installed shortly. Similar signage is already in place at the Clare Veterans Centre. In accordance with its EDIA plan, the Municipality will seek to incorporate this signage via a phased approach, in all its public facing buildings.

12.4 Update - Pedestrian Crossing, Villa d’la Baie
In response to a request received by Council for a pedestrian crossing at the Villa d`la Baie, the matter was referred to NS Public Works. A review was conducted by Doug Pulsifer, District Traffic Supervisor with NS Public Works, which ultimately determined that a crosswalk was not warranted. (See Council minutes dated March 4, 2026).

While Council did not contest these findings or the department’s conclusion, it did ask the CAO to follow-up with NS Public Works to see if any thought is given to the users of the crosswalk (i.e., vulnerable populations) when considering these types of requests. In this case, the primary users being seniors residing at the Villa d’la Baie, many of which have mobility issues.

The CAO has since followed up with NS Public Works and received further information from

Mr. Pulsifer on how the needs of vulnerable populations are taken into consideration when making these decisions. (See attached)

12.5 Provincial Budget 2026/27 - Restoration of Grant and Program Funding
The CAO presented an overview of the $53.6M in grant and program funding recently restored by the Province of Nova Scotia.

13) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that Council proceed to Closed Session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed
13.1 Personnel Matters

PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that Council proceed to the Regular Council Meeting.
MOTION CARRIED

14) Date and Time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

15) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 pm.

Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant