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Municipality of the District of Clare
COUNCIL-IN-COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting held at 1185 Highway 1, Little Brook

PRESENT: Council: Warden Yvon LeBlanc, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillors Réanne Evans, Danny Hill, and Réanne Cooper
Staff: CAO, Stéphane Cyr, Director of Finance, Christien Deveau, Communications Officer, Anique Dugas
Presenters: Dave Doucette and Shawn Craven, Clare Firefighters Association
ABSENT: Councillors Nadine Comeau and Carl Deveau

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

2) Approval of the Agenda
Warden Yvon LeBlanc asked that the following item be added to the agenda:

• 7.4 Letter of Support – Far Out Festival

MOVED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the proposed agenda be approved with the above noted addition.
MOTION CARRIED

3) Declaration of Conflict of Interest.
Warden Yvon LeBlanc declared a conflict of interest with item 7.3 Water Distribution Program – Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management.

4) Presentations
4.1 Clare Firefighters Association (CFFA) – Dave Doucette and Shawn Craven
Dave Doucette and Shawn Craven of the Clare Firefighters Association presented an overview of the call totals per department from May to August 2025, as well as a summary of the Association’s activities since their July 2025 presentation to Council. (See attached).

5) Staff Reports  
5.1 Financial Update – Christien Deveau, Director of Finance
The Director of Finance provided an overview of the Municipality’s financial position. (See attached)

6) Business Arising from Previous Meetings
None.

7) NEW BUSINESS
7.1 Legacy Project - CMA 2024
The Société acadienne de Clare (with the permission of Université Sainte-Anne) is spearheading a project to modernize the currently under-utilized theatre (i.e., Salle Marc-Lescarbot) on the university’s Church Point campus. Total project costs are estimated at $700,000 and discussions with prospective project funders (PCH, ACOA, Province of NS) have been very positive to date. That said, as part of the proposed funding mix, the Société acadienne de Clare must raise 10% of the total project cost (i.e., $70,000). To this end, the Société is respectfully requesting these funds be sourced from the surplus funds given to the Municipality from the CMA 2024. These funds are expressly earmarked for legacy projects stemming from the CMA 2024. The proposed theatre modernization is consistent with that criterion. In an effort to better this valued piece of cultural infrastructure, the CAO is recommending the proposed contribution of $70,000. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Evans that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend contributing the $70,000 in surplus funds from the CMA 2024 to the Société acadienne de Clare in support of its efforts to modernize the currently under-utilized theatre (i.e., Salle Marc-Lescarbot) located on the Church Point campus of Université Sainte-Anne, and that said contribution be conditional upon confirmation of the balance of project funding.
MOTION CARRIED

7.2 New Chancellor - Université Sainte-Anne
The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc has been named as the new Chancelor for Université Sainte-Anne. Mr. LeBlanc succeeds Mr. Noël Després, who had been in the position since 2019. In recognition of this prestigious appointment, the CAO is recommending Council send a congratulatory letter to

Mr. LeBlanc. Council agreed and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a congratulatory letter to the Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc in recognition of his appointment as Chancellor for Université Sainte-Anne.
MOTION CARRIED

7.3 Water Distribution Program – Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management
Warden LeBlanc recused himself. Deputy Warden chaired this portion of meeting.

In response to a growing number of calls from concerned residents needing access to potable water, and following discussions with the MLA`s office, the Municipality is exploring the possibility of establishing a water voucher program in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management. To this end, the CAO has reviewed all relevant documentation and completed the necessary forms. Per established program guidelines, the maximum allowable distribution is 4L of bottled water per family member, per day (maximum of 16L per household per day). As for the distribution method, the CAO is proposing the use of a voucher system redeemable at local retailers. In addition to providing increased access to bottled water, the proposed program structure also seeks to ensure consistency and accountability in distribution and cost reporting. Council expressed unanimous support for such a program and made the following motion to recommend:

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend applying to the Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management for provincial assistance to purchase and distribute bottled water during a declared water shortage.   
MOTION CARRIED

With this item now concluded, Warden LeBlanc returned to chair the remainder of the meeting.

7.4 Letter of Support – Far Out Festival
The Far-Out Festival is requesting a letter of support from Council as a part of their application to Canadian Heritage. No funds are being requested from the Municipality. Over the years, the Municipality has provided similar letters to the Far-Out Festival, in support of their efforts to secure financing. Council made the following motion to recommend:

MOVED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend sending a letter of support to the Far Out Festival, as part of their funding application to Canadian Heritage.
MOTION CARRIED

8) Questions and Comments from the Public
Dave Doucette of the CFFA asked if the surplus in GL 2240 – Fire Departments – General Operations could be used in support of the Association’s application to the new stream of the Nova Scotia Emergency Providers Fund. The CAO questioned the accuracy of this surplus and recommended against making any such commitment until this balance is verified.

9) Closed Session

PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans and SECONDED BY Councillor Réanne Cooper that Council proceed to closed session.
MOTION CARRIED

Topics Discussed:
9.1 Contract Negotiations
9.2 Personnel Matters

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

PROPOSED BY Councillor Danny Hill and SECONDED BY Deputy Warden Eric Pothier that the Council for the Municipality of the District of Clare recommend entering into an inter-municipal emergency services agreement with the Municipality of the District of Digby and the Town of Digby, thus enabling the establishment of a Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) for the entirety of Digby County   
MOTION CARRIED

9) Date and time of the next Council-in-Committee Meeting
The next Council-in-Committee Meeting will be held on November 12, 2025, at 7:00 pm.

10) Adjournment
PROPOSED BY Councillor Réanne Evans to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 p.m.

Submitted by
Ashley Hanks
Executive Assistant