Region of Queens Municipality

  • Notice: Applications Currently Being Accepted for the Solid Waste Community Litter Collection Program

    Region of Queens Municipality’s Solid Waste Community Litter Collection Program is now open and accepting applications from Queens County-based registered nonprofit organizations.

    The program was established in 2018 and provides funding to groups that complete litter clean-up for a portion of highway in their community. Approved groups will receive $125 per kilometre (both sides of the highway) for one clean-up per year for a maximum of 5 kilometres in a location authorized by Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR).

    Each year since the program was established, Council has approved funding in the Municipality’s budgets to support this initiative. Region of Queens will collect and dispose of the collected waste from approved clean ups.

    Interested in cleaning up an area but not applying for funding?

    • Residents or community members who would like to clean up litter on a volunteer basis can still participate. Individuals or groups may apply to the Municipality to receive free litter collection bags. These bags can be placed at the roadside after the clean-up and will be picked up with regular garbage collection, allowing the collected litter to be disposed of at no cost.

    Please go to our website to learn more about the program, and to download the guidelines and application form, and contact information should you have questions about the program (click here).

    Funds are available on a first come first served basis, until the funding is gone. 

    Permits are available on the Adopt-A-Highway website https://www.nsadoptahighway.ca/register-today/

  • Did You Know? Missed or Delayed Waste Collection

    Has your regular waste collection been delayed or missed? Depending on challenges encountered along the route, sometimes waste collection can take place later in the day than usual.

    If you believe your garbage has been missed or if you are experiencing waste collection problems, please contact the Region’s collector, GE Environmental, toll free at 1-866-303-1103 until 4:30 p.m. For calls after hours between 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., please call 1-902-523-5764.

  • 2026 Flushing Schedule

    Customers of Region of Queens Water Utility are advised that watermains will be flushed from Monday, May 25, to overnight Friday, May 29, 2026.

    The purpose of flushing the watermains is a preventive measure to help maintain the pipes and the quality of the water, as over time, sediment and silt can build up inside the pipes of the water distribution system. When flushing of the watermains takes place, it also helps to test the Municipality’s water distribution system and ensure everything is working properly.

    Throughout the week, customers serviced by the Region of Queens Water Utility can expect to experience a loss of water pressure and discolouration of water until flushing of the entire system is complete. Once flushing is completed, wait 30 minutes, and then run your cold water taps or turn on an outside hose for about 15 minutes or until the water runs clear again. We encourage you to verify the water is clear before using it (cooking, laundry, etc.).

    SCHEDULE:

    * Monday, May 25, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. – West of Union Street, Main Street and Streets off Main

    * Tuesday, May 26, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. – West of Union Street, Old Port Mouton Road, Industrial Mall, Payzant Street, Main Street east of Union Street

    * Wednesday, May 27, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. – East of Union Street, Church Street, Waterloo Street, Crowell Street, Barss Street, College Street

    * Thursday, May 28, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. – Henry Hensey Drive, Wentworth Street, Stenpro Area, Bristol Avenue, Mersey Avenue, Old Falls Road, Milton Road East, Highway #3 in Brooklyn, Markland Avenue, Brooklyn Shore Road

    * Friday, May 29, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. – East of Union Street, Hollands Drive, School Street, Lower end of Waterloo Street

    Should you have any questions, please contact the Department of Infrastructure at 902-354-7170 or email utility@regionofqueens.com.

    The Region of Queens apologizes for any inconvenience experienced by a customer and your cooperation and understanding are appreciated during this flushing period.

    Read the full notice by click here .

  • Message of Support for Lloyoll Prefabs

    Along with many in Queens County today, our thoughts are with Jonathan and Caralee Lloy, their family, and the staff of Lloyoll Prefabs as they deal with the unimaginable loss of their business from a fire early in the morning of April 30.

    Lloyoll holds a special place in Queens County’s history — the Lloys were among the first dozen business owners to open a new business in the months after Resolute announced the closure of the Paper mill in Brooklyn.

    Back in 2013, nearly a year after the Mill closed, Municipal staff asked Jonathan why he would choose to open a business in Queens County when there was such a huge loss. He said he saw potential: that the closing of the mill was an opportunity for the community to go a new way, and he wanted to be part of that.

    Lloyoll has been an important part of our business community, and fittingly, their business was located in a warehouse at the Mill site. They have been part of an exciting reinvention of the Mill site, the growing local business community, and have made an impact that ripples across Queens, Canada, and even further with their innovative prefabricated homes.

    Resilience and love for the community is part of the origin story of Lloyoll, and it is encouraging to read in their social media post their intention is to continue, to rebuild. To learn more, read here:  https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1awwwKMsJz/

    They have an amazing spirit, and we wish them well and much success!

  • Thank you to All Who Supported the Response to the Industrial Fire

    A huge thank you to everyone who supported yesterday’s industrial structure fire response!! 🎉

    From just after midnight on April 30 through the afternoon, crews worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to bring a very large fire under control. This was a long and complex response, and the dedication shown across all agencies was nothing short of incredible.

    We want to recognize the leadership of Liverpool Fire Department, along with the support of Greenfield and District Volunteer Fire Department, Port Medway Fire Department, Mill Village and District Fire Department, and North Queens Fire Association, and approximately 13 fire departments from across Lunenburg, Shelburne, and Annapolis Counties who came together to assist. This kind of mutual aid is what keeps our communities strong and protected.

    We also extend our sincere thanks to the many partners who played a critical role throughout the day:
    • Valley Communications
    • RCMP
    • Emergency Health Services (EHS)
    • Nova Scotia Power
    • Irving
    • C. Eugene Ingram Construction (excavator float support)
    • South Shore Centre for Education
    • Scotia Business Dispatch Centre
    • Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM)
    • Nova Scotia Department of Emergency Management (DEM)
    • Commissionaires
    • Municipal staff and supporting teams

    We also want to thank residents for their patience and understanding during this extended response. We recognize there were impacts throughout the day, and we appreciate your cooperation as crews worked to manage a rapidly evolving situation.

    The response to yesterday’s fire was a strong reminder of the dedication of our emergency responders and the strength of regional partnerships. We are grateful for everyone who played a role in keeping our community safe.

  • Council approves 2026/2027 Operating Budget investing in facilities, protective services, growth, and events; no increase in property tax rate in Queens County

    Council for the Region of Queens Municipality approved the 2026/2027 Operating Budget on Tuesday night at the Regular Meeting of Council.

    For the fifth year in a row, Council approved a budget with no base rate increase for residential, resource, and commercial property owners in the Region.

    Total budgeted operating expenses for the coming year will amount to $33,840,772.

    In addition to maintaining current levels of service for residents and business owners, the budget includes a number of initiatives that will improve quality of life in Queens County, make the Region a more desirable location for investors and prospective new residents, and work toward meeting the Strategic Priorities outlined in Council’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan.

    “Council worked hard with staff through a multi-month process to finalize a budget that meets the service expectations of our community and does so without a property tax rate increase,” said Mayor Scott Christian.
    “Residents are managing the increasing costs of essentials like food, power, and fuel, while the Municipality is also seeing increases to mandatory costs in our budget for things like education, RCMP, and waste collection,” he added.
    “Throughout the budget deliberation process, Council and staff worked together to find ways to strike a balance in providing needed services and programs for our residents without increasing the tax rates.”

    BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

    — To keep the tax rate unchanged and to offset the increasing costs of providing the basic level of service to residents, Council directed that funds from the accumulated surplus reserve be used to ensure the budget is balanced.
    — In addition to its required investment of $2.2 million for RCMP services, Council has also budgeted an additional $196,700 in support of a recommendation from the Police Advisory Board for a new RCMP staffing position that will focus on crime prevention in the Region.
    — Council also made other significant investments in protective services, including an additional $35,000 for planning and public education initiatives related to emergency management. Council continued its ongoing support for the five volunteer fire departments in the county, West Queens First Responders, Queens Ground Search and Rescue, and North Queens Ground Search and Rescue.
    — About $155,000 has been earmarked for staffing and equipment for the new outdoor pool on the grounds of Queens Place Emera Centre, which will be opening later this summer.
    — Council continues to invest in the community through support of the Community Investment Fund (CIF), which provides financial assistance to eligible community organizations and programs. Council increased the allotment for the CIF in this year’s budget from $175,000 to $275,000.
    — Council also continues to invest in supporting residents and our local business community in other ways with funding for the Tax Exemption program which provides assistance to low income residents ($167,200), the Utility Rebate Assistance Program ($15,000), and the Business Façade Improvement Program ($25,000).
    — Pending approval of an Accommodation Levy, Council will be investing an additional $50,000 in event and attraction development.
    — $30,000 has been set aside for electrical upgrades at Miriam Hunt Park in Caledonia and $40,000 has been allocated for a parking lot to improve safe access to the Harmony Park ballfield.

    TAX RATES AND BILLING DETAILS

    In Taxation Districts 1 to 12 (areas that prior to amalgamation were in the Municipality of the County of Queens), properties classed as Residential or Resource have a tax rate set at $1.07 per $100 of assessed value, which includes a one cent increase in Roads area rate for J Class road improvement. The Commercial property tax rate in these districts will also increase one cent to $2.17 per $100 assessment value.
    In District 13 (the former Town of Liverpool), Residential or Resource properties will continue to be taxed at a rate of $1.80 per $100 of assessed value, while Commercial properties in District 13 have a tax rate once again set at $2.90 per $100 of assessment.

    The Hydrant rate, as determined by the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board, has increased to 11.5 cents.

    Tax bills will be mailed to all property owners in the coming weeks and will be dated June 1, with no interest being applied if paid on or before June 30, 2026.

    The budget has been posted on the website (click here), along with information about the budget deliberation process- click here to read more.

    To view a screen readable PDF of this graphic, please click here.

  • UPDATE: Thorbourne Field Has Reopened

    We are happy to let people know that Thorbourne Field has now reopened.

    If your group or team would like to reserve the field , please submit a Request for Facility Use form available online by clicking here.

    Notice: Temporary Closure of Thorbourne Field

    Originally posted April 16, 2026

    Please be advised that Thorbourne Field, 85 Old Port Mouton Rd, Liverpool, is currently closed to all use due to recent weather and resulting field conditions.

    The field remains too soft to support activity without risk of damage. Staff will complete the necessary seasonal maintenance as soon as conditions allow. Once this work has been carried out and the field is suitable for use, the park will be reopened. An update will be posted on Region of Queens Municipality’s website and Facebook page.

    Thank you for your cooperation in helping preserve the field so it can be safely enjoyed by all when conditions permit.

    ** Did you know that sports teams, community organizations, and individuals can reserve the field, or any one of the more than 20 parks and playgrounds owned and maintained by Region of Queens Municipality, located throughout the County? These community outdoor spaces provide space for active and passive recreational opportunities.

    To request Thorbourne Field or any of the Municipal parks, playgrounds or outdoor spaces for your event or activity, please completed a Request for Facility Use form (available online here: https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/recreation/parks/facility-use/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=97
    and submit it to publicworks@regionofqueens.com. This ensures the ballfield (or other space) is ready for use, and that another group isn’t already scheduled at the same time!

  • ABOUT PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

    It’s procurement season! With the new fiscal year beginning on April 1, the Region of Queens Municipality will soon be issuing a number of procurement calls to provide services to the residents, businesses, and guests of Queens County.

    Procurement is the process of acquiring goods or services and includes methods such as traditional tenders, pre-qualified tenders, requests for proposals (RFP), requests for quotations (RFQ), standing offer proposals, and two-phase bids. 

    DID YOU KNOW?
    Like all other municipalities in Nova Scotia, Region of Queens Municipality is required to follow a public awarding process – as part of that process, the Region must abide by both the Nova Scotia Public Procurement Act and the Region of Queens’ Operational Policy 26 – Purchasing. 

    These two pieces of legislation work together to ensure that government and public sector bodies buy goods and services in a manner that is fair, sustainable, transparent, accountable, standardized, and compliant with regional, national, and international trade agreements.

    At the Region of Queens, procurement is completed through a multi-step process:

    1) Initiation – This is the phase where the good or service is defined, procurement documents are developed by staff with the support of the municipal solicitor, and advertised for vendors to consider.

    2) Receipt – In this mandatory phase, sealed submissions are received from prospective suppliers or vendors during a specified time period. Submissions are not permitted to be opened or reviewed by staff until closing but may be withdrawn by the proponent.

    3) Closing – Once the submission period closes, packages that have been received from suppliers are opened, reviewed by staff, and evaluated for:

    • Compliance with the terms of the bid specifications and documents
    • Completeness of submission, errors, or omissions
    • Scoring – all procurement submissions are scored on several factors including pricing, quality, and delivery

    If submissions are deemed to be non-compliant by staff and/or legal counsel, those submissions are required to be removed from further review and the scoring process. 

    For agreements that have a profound impact on municipal operations, such as long-term, high-value, or sensitive agreements, staff will present the results to Council and request direction. In this scenario, Council receives and reviews a staff report at a public meeting,  asks questions, and then directs staff accordingly to award or not award the contract by motion. 

    For less impactful agreements, staff determine the recommended proponent under the guidelines set out in the Procurement Policy.

    ABOUT NON-COMPLIANT BIDS
    Proceeding with or awarding a contract to a non-compliant supplier creates unnecessary financial, legal, and reputational risk to the Municipality. Accepting a submission that does not meet the required criteria can entitle other proponents to legally challenge the process and could result in additional expense to the Municipality, delay the delivery of the service, and jeopardize future procurement efforts.

    There are a variety of factors that can result in a submission deemed to be non-compliant; examples include: 

    – The submission fails to meet the mandatory service requirements outlined in the procurement call. For example, if the Municipality tenders a request for the supply of rubber boots and a vendor proposes providing sandals, that submission would be non-compliant.

    – Proposing an alternative solution but failing to ensure it is acceptable. For example, a request for the supply of traffic paint could result in a vendor submitting a proposal to use non-conventional paint made from reclaimed oyster shells without providing clear evidence and backing that this option could be successfully used on roadways.

    – Poor performance or non-performance on a past contract by the supplier such as failing to fulfill previous obligations.

    If a submitted package is deemed to be non-compliant and a supplier feels an error has been made, the supplier can request feedback from the Municipality on why the bid was deemed non-compliant.  

    Should the supplier wish to do so, they may file a complaint with the Chief Procurement Officer for the Province of Nova Scotia in accordance with the Nova Scotia Public Procurement Policy. 

    WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE?
    For more information on the Region of Queens Operating Policy 26 – Purchasing, you can visit www.regionofqueens.com/purchasingpolicy.

    To view the Municipality’s active tender/bid calls, please visit https://www.regionofqueens.com/procurement.

    To learn more about the Nova Scotia Public Procurement Act, you can visit https://www.novascotia.ca/public-procurement-act-overview.  

    To view the Nova Scotia Public Procurement Policy, you can visit https://notices.novascotia.ca/files/corporate-admin-policy-manual/300-3-1.pdf.  

  • Notice of Special Council Meeting, March 31, 2026

    NOTICE OF SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

    Notice is hereby given that the Special Meeting of Council scheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. has been CANCELLED, and a Special Meeting of Council has been recalled as follows:

    Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
    Time: 9:00 a.m.  Closed Session , 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Public Session
    Location: Council Chamber at the Municipal Administration Building, located at 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Region of Queens Municipality’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

    Purpose of the Special Meeting

    The purpose of this Special Meeting is to consider the following items:

    • Four (4) In Camera (Personnel matters)
    • Version 5 Operational Budget Discussion
    • Spending Limitations Without an Approved Budget
    • Introduction – Policy 100 – Litter Collection
    • Amendments – Administrative Policy 27 – Remuneration
    • Amendment – Operational Policy 58 – Alcohol Use
    • Report from In Camera
    • Mayor’s Report
    • Three (3) Council Business – Dry Hydrants, Police Advisory Board Report, Wastewater Betterment Charges

    No additional business will be considered at this Special Meeting.

    Public Access

    This meeting is open to the public in accordance with the Municipal Government Act.

    The agenda for this meeting will be available on the Municipality’s website on Friday, March 27, 2026, as part of the Special Council Agenda Package.

    RQM Council Agendas, Minutes & Audio

  • NEW! Municipal Road Trails Open In Liverpool

    The municipal road trails for use by ATV/OHVs will be open as of Wednesday March 25, 2026.

    Road trails provide ATV/OHV users with trail-to-trail and trail-to-services connectivity in Liverpool via small sections of provincial and municipal roadways that link existing multi-purpose trails.

    Maps of the routes are available at: www.regionofqueens.com/roadtrails and are available on the ATV Association of Nova Scotia app.


    Road trails in Liverpool will follow the Road Trail Act as indicated in Region of Queens Municipality’s Bylaw 28: https://www.regionofqueens.com/…/route%3A/download/4313/ To review the Province of Nova Scotia’s Road Trails Act which includes rules, operating equipment, expectations, and current provincial road trails, please go to the following website: https://novascotia.ca/road-trails-act-overview/

    SUMMARY OF ROAD TRAIL USE

    WHO can use them:

    • Riders with their safety course or that can demonstrate they are exempt.
    • Riders with machines that are registered.
    • Riders with machines with proof of current insurance.
    • Riders over the age of 16 with a “full” Driver’s License.

    SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

    • DOT-approved helmet – this includes side-by-side users.
    • If a machine has seatbelts, they must be worn on Road Trails.
    • Factory lights are to be turned on; you can use hand signals for turning and stopping.
    • Driver’s side mirror.
    • Passengers are permitted on purpose-built machines (2 Ups) and in manufacturer seats of side by sides.

    • WHEN can they be used:
    • All Road Trails (Provincial and Municipal) are open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
    • In the event that a road trail requires to be closed temporarily, it will be posted firstly on the ATVANS app, and then on social media. Users should be referring to the app before, and while, travelling.

    • WHERE are there provincial road trails in Queens County?
    • Beech Hill Road from the inland end to the Hunts Point Trail (former railbed).
    • Broad River Hill from the underpass on the Old Port Mouton Resource Road in Summerville up to River Head Road and Highway 3.
    • River Head Road from the intersection with Highway 3 to the intersection with the Summerville Extension Trail (former rail bed).
    • River Road (Milton) from the intersection of the Deep Brook Trail and River Road to the intersection of the River Road and Tower Road (at the access road to Big Guzzle Bridge over the original riverbed).

    *** PLEASE NOTE: The new municipal road trails end at Queens Place Emera Centre (at the corner of Highway 3 and Old Cobbs Barn Road). You CANNOT continue to Brooklyn on the road, and there is no current trail established in Brooklyn. Queens County ATV Association has filed for a provincial road trail to make this connection and anticipate it will be open in July. To get to the Dwight Crouse Trail and connect to the Bull Run Trail, use the inland loop via the Milton River Rd. This route is available on the ATVANS app.

  • Statement from Mayor Scott Christian

    After careful consideration and with advice obtained from Region of Queens Municipality’s legal counsel, Council has decided not to appeal the decision of the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board in support of Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. expanding the boundaries of the existing Coffin Island site.

    Our lawyers advised there would be little chance of success to win the appeal because appeals are limited to issues of law or jurisdiction – not whether the decision rendered by the Board reflects the best interests of the community.

    Although the Council of Region of Queens Municipality echoes the disappointment and frustration felt by many in the community with the NSARB’s decision, we could not justify committing an unknown amount of taxpayers’ dollars to a legal appeal that we did not feel was a case we would win.

  • NOTICE OF PASSING – BYLAW 11

    REGION OF QUEENS MUNICIPALITY

    NOTICE OF PASSING

    NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of Region of Queens Municipality, at a duly constituted meeting held on March 10, 2026, passed Bylaw No. 11, A Bylaw Respecting the Regulation of Discharges to Municipal Sewerage Systems, also known as “The Sewer Bylaw.”

    This Bylaw regulates discharges to the municipal sewerage systems within the Region of Queens Municipality, including provisions respecting sewer connections, permitted and prohibited discharges, sewer fees, and enforcement.

    This Bylaw repeals the Bylaw Respecting the Regulation of Discharges to the Municipal Sewerage System adopted by Council on January 15, 2007.

    A copy of Bylaw No. 11 is available for public inspection at the Municipal Office, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, during regular business hours, and on the Municipality’s website at www.regionofqueens.com.

    Date: March 11, 2026   

    Angela Green

    Municipal Clerk

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