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Municipality of the District of Clare
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 7:00 pm
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook, NS
PRESENT: Council: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier; Councillors Réanne Evans, Danny Hill, Réanne Cooper, Carl Deveau, Steven Comeau, and Nadine Comeau
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Executive Assistant, Ashley Hanks, and Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: Bruce Mans and Devon Jennings-Lander, Upland Studio
ABSENT: Warden Yvon LeBlanc
1) Call to Order
The Deputy Warden called the Council meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2) Adoption of the Agenda
The CAO asked that the following changes be made to the agenda:
- Correct the numbering error under Correspondence
- Add 8.3 Les Papas Noel de Clare 2025
- Add 12.2 Personnel Matters
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted revisions.
MOTION CARRIED
3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest
None.
4) Presentations
4.1 Active Transportation Plan – Bruce Mans and Devon Jennings-Lander, Upland Studio
Bruce Mans and Devon Jennings-Lander of Upland Studio provided an update on the ongoing development of the Municipality’s Active Transportation Plan (
See attached).
5) Adoption of the Minutes from Previous Council Meetings
5.1 December 17, 2025 – Regular Council Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Steven Comeau that the minutes of the December 17, 2025, Regular Council Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
5.2 January 7, 2026 – Council-in-Committee Meeting
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the minutes of the January 7, 2026, Council-in-Committee Meeting be accepted as presented.
MOTION CARRIED
6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.
7) Official Statements from Members of Council
Councillor Réanne Cooper congratulated Suzanne Saulnier on being named one of the 10 most influential francophone Canadians of 2025 by l’Association Francopress. Ms. Saulnier recently retired from the CAPNÉ after a long career in early childhood education. At the request of Councillor Cooper, Council 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 send a letter to Suzanne Saulnier congratulating her on being named one of the 10 most influential francophone Canadians of 2025 by l’Association Francopress.
MOTION CARRIED
Deputy Warden Eric Pothier congratulated Shane Robicheau, the Clare Share Community Fridge and their 50 plus volunteers on the success of their Clare for the Holidays 2025 Community Christmas Meal, and more specifically on providing over 800 free meals on Christmas Eve to the residents of Clare. At the request of the Deputy Warden, 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 send a letter to Clare Share Community Fridge congratulating them on the success of their Clare for the Holidays 2025 Community Christmas Meal.
MOTION CARRIED
8) Correspondence
8.1 The Honourable Kim Masland – Minister of Emergency Management
The CAO read a letter from The Honourable Kim Masland, Minister of Emergency Management. (See attached)
8.2 Alvina LeBlanc – Project Manager, Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie
The CAO read a letter from Alvina LeBlanc, Project Manager for the Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie. (See attached)
8.3 Les Papas Noel de Clare 2025
The CAO read a letter from les Papas Noel de Clare (See attached).
9) CAO Report – Chief Administrative Officer – Stéphane Cyr
The CAO presented his report for the month of January. (See attached)
10) Committee Reports
None.
11) New Business
11.1 Motion to Enact the Emergency Management By-law – First Reading
The Municipalities of Digby and Clare, as well as the Town of Digby, have recently signed an inter-municipal emergency services agreement as part of ongoing efforts to provide a coordinated response to an emergency occurring within the County of Digby. The planning for and coordination of emergency service delivery during a real or imminent emergency as defined by the Emergency Management Act shall be provided by the newly formed Digby County Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO). As part of this process, the three aforementioned municipal units must now enact a new Emergency Management By-law. To this end, the Municipality of Clare’s By-law Committee met on January 12, 2026, to review the proposed by-law. Following said review, the By-law Committee is recommending that the proposed Emergency Management By-law be enacted by Council. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Carl Deveau and SECONDED BY Councillor Danny Hill that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve the first reading of the Emergency Management By-law, and that the by-law be read for the first time by title only.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Deveau read the by-law by name: Emergency Management By-law.
11.2 Motion to Amend the Repeal By-law – First Reading
The Municipality’s By-law Committee met on January 12, 2026, to review a proposed amendment to its Repeal By-law. The By-law in question is dated and in need of revision. Following said review, the By-law Committee is recommending the proposed amendment to the Repeal By-law. Council agreed and 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 the first reading of the proposed amendment to the Repeal By-law, and that the amended by-law be read for the first time by title only.
MOTION CARRIED
Councillor Nadine Comeau read the by-law by name: Repeal By-Law
11.3 Motion to Approve Municipal Tax Write-Off – AAN 01540084
The property at 8467 Highway 1, Meteghan Centre (Assessment Account Number 01540084) was destroyed by fire on December 13, 2025. It is the practice of Council to refund a pro-rated tax amount in the case of fire. For this specific account, the proposed refund is $938.80. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare refund a pro-rated tax amount of $938.80 to Assessment Account Number 01540084, following damage sustained to said property because of a fire on December 13, 2025.
MOTION CARRIED
11.4 Motion to Apply for Appointment of Special Constable – Alex MacLean, By-law Enforcement Officer
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:
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Carl Deveau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare make 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
11.5 Motion to Send Letter – Paul LaFleche, Executive Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister for NS Public Works and Municipal Affairs
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:
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare send a letter to Paul LaFleche, Executive Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister for NS Public Works and Municipal Affairs, congratulating him on being honored with the 2025 Lieutenant Governors Award for Excellence in Public Administration.
MOTION CARRIED
11.6 Motion to Enter Service Agreement with the Nova Scotia SPCA
The Municipality of Clare has been in discussions with the NS SPCA regarding a service agreement since its previous agreement came to an end in June 2025. Consensus has now been reached by both parties on a new, 3-year service offering and kenneling agreement. It is the recommendation of the CAO that Council enter into said agreement. Council agreed and made the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Steven Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare enter into a 3-year service offering and kenneling/sheltering agreement with the Nova Scotia SPCA.
MOTION CARRIED
11.7 Motion to Approve Funding Request – Rink Renovation Project, Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne (US-A) is applying to the Province of Nova Scotia’s Rink Revitalization Fund for $75,000 to assist with the purchase and installation of a new condenser. The total cost of the project is $150,000. As part of the proposed funding mix, US-A is requesting a municipal contribution of $50,000. Given that the rink is an important piece of recreational infrastructure which is used extensively by both the university and the community at large, Council passed the following motion:
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare approve a contribution of $50,000 to Université Sainte-Anne in support of its rink renovation project, specifically the purchase and installation of a new condenser.
MOTION CARRIED
12) Closed Session
PROPOSED BY Councillor Nadine Comeau and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that Council proceed to Closed Session.
MOTION CARRIED
Topics discussed
12.1 Contract Negotiations
12.2 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 Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare enter into a 5-year Collaboration Agreement with Université Sainte-Anne.
MOTION CARRIED
13) Date and time of the next Regular Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 7:00 pm.
14) Adjournment
MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 8:18 pm.
Submitted by:
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant