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Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

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

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

2) Approval of the Agenda

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the proposed agenda be approved as presented.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
None.

4) Presentations
None.

5) Staff Reports  
5.1 Financial Update – Stéphane Cyr, CAO
The CAO provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Appointment of Special Constable – Alex MacLean
Alex MacLean has been hired as the Municipality’s By-Law Enforcement Officer. To properly fulfill this role, Mr. MacLean must also be appointed as a Special Constable under the Nova Scotia Police Act. The CAO is therefore requesting Council approval to commence the application process with the NS Department of Justice. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend making an application to the Department of Justice for the appointment of Alex MacLean as Special Constable under the Nova Scotia Police Act for the enforcement of municipal by-laws.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration
In December of 2025, Paul LaFleche, Executive Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister for both NS Public Works and Municipal Affairs, was honoured with the 2025 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration. For more than three decades, Mr. LaFleche has helped to shape government policy, advance economic and social development and strengthen public institutions across Nova Scotia and Canada, including the Municipality of Clare. That said, the CAO is recommending Council send him a letter in recognition of his many contributions to public service and congratulating him on being honored with this award. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend was made:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter to Paul LaFleche, Executive Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister for both NS Public Works and Municipal Affairs, congratulating him on being honored with the 2025 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
None.

9) Closed Session

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

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Personnel Matters

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

PROPOSED BY Councillor Steven Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend entering a 3-year service offering and kenneling/sheltering agreement with the Nova Scotia SPCA. 
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on February 4, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 pm.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks,
Executive Assistant