March 11, 2025: The Etli Milita’mk Universally Designed Playpark has reopened following a inspection to ensure that the conditions have improved. Those wishing to use the playpark are now able to do so once again. Have fun!

Notice: Temporary Closure of Etli Milita’mk Universally Designed playpark

February 20, 2025: The Etli Milita’mk Universally Designed Playpark has been closed temporarily due to snow and ice conditions within the park. The Playpark will remain closed until conditions improve, at which time, a notice will be posted on Region of Queens Municipality’s website and social media pages.

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality intends to consider the following proposed Bylaw at its regular meeting of Council to be held on January 28, 2025 at the Council Chambers, 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, NS at 6:00 pm:

BYLAW # 26 – RESPECTING PRIVATE ROAD MAINTENANCE CHARGES

A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected or obtained at the Region Office on 249 White Point Road, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The proposed Bylaw 26 is also available online: https://www.regionofqueens.com/~documents/route%3A/download/3848/

January 20, 2025; Liverpool, NS: Region of Queens Municipality’s Council has hired Dan McDougall as its Interim Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), effective January 20, 2025. 

“Dan is a very accomplished executive manager with a proven track record supporting municipalities. Council felt that it was very important to install an interim CAO who comes with a wealth of experience as a CAO, a strong reputation in the local government sector, and who does not want the permanent job, assuring that they can objectively support the organization through a robust recruitment process to identify the best candidate for the role,” said Scott Christian, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.

McDougall’s previous work experience has a strong focus on effective Municipal administration. He was CAO of the Municipality of Chester, CAO of the Municipality of Colchester County, and was Interim CAO for Region of Queens Municipality in 2023. He also has extensive background in Provincial government administration, including positions such as Chief Executive Officer of Housing Nova Scotia, and Deputy Minister of the Department of Municipal Affairs.

McDougall will remain in the position until a permanent CAO is hired, allowing Acting CAO Pam Lovelace to resume her duties as Municipal Clerk.  In mid-December, 2024, Council ended their contract with the CAO Cody Joudry, and appointed Lovelace as temporarily Acting CAO until an interim CAO could be hired. 

“Council is excited to have Dan join the team and help us through this transition,” said Mayor Christian.  “I also want to thank Pam Lovelace for her incredible work in the role as our Acting CAO over the past month. She performed the duties of the CAO admirably during a difficult month for our organization and community. Dan and Pam will be a dynamic team, working closely together moving forward.”  

Thursday, January 16, 2025: Liverpool, NS – After many months of negotiation, earlier today the Council of the Region of Queens Municipality unanimously ratified the 2024-2027 Collective Agreement with IBEW Local 1928. This Council decision follows the ratification by union members on January 14, 2025.

The new 3-year agreement between IBEW Local 1928 and the Region of Queens provides wages at or above market standards and demonstrates respect for the value and work undertaken by these employees.

The details of the agreement renewed from April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027, include:

• 2024 – minimum of $4.00 wage increases for all IBEW Local 1928 positions, including temporary workers;
• 2025 – 2.5% wage increase in year 2;
• 2026 – 2.5% wage increase in year 3.

Temporary employees will be recruited back to work in the coming weeks as soon as the municipality is in a position to initiate capital works projects. 

As the labour disruption in the Region of Queens comes to a close, Mayor Scott Christian expressed gratitude to all staff – union, non-union and management – for their commitment to serving the people of the Region of Queens Municipality:

“More than the end of something, this morning feels to me like a beginning, it feels like the start of an era where we begin to take strides toward a future in which the Region can be an employer of choice, a future in which the region is responsive to, and aligned with, the broader community that we serve.”

A Back-to-Work transition plan is in development to implement scheduling, create a safe and welcoming workplace, and ensure retroactive payment for the first year of the contract is implemented. 

To read Mayor Christian’s speaking notes, please click this link.

Friday, January 10, 2025: Effective Saturday, January, 11, 2025, the Region of Queens Municipality’s Solid Waste Management Facility will shift to Winter hours, and be closed on Saturdays until Spring.

Hours of operation on weekdays will remain the same, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. In the Spring, Saturday hours (8 a.m. until 2 p.m.) will resume.

January 9, 2025, Liverpool, NS: On December 20, 2024, the Region of Queens Municipality (“RQM”) filed a notice of intended lockout action against IBEW, Local 1928, following the union’s Notice to Strike on December 20, 2024. On December 23, 2024, Cynthia Yazbek, Senior Executive Director, Labour Services Branch, acknowledged receipt of RQM’s notice on behalf of the Honourable Nolan Young at 8:30 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2025, RQM became aware of IBEW Local 1928 strike action when union members set up picket lines at or near municipal buildings. In response to strike action, RQM gave notice to members of IBEW, Local 1928, that the lockout is effective immediately today, Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

What is Lockout?

At Lockout all pay to striking workers and access to workspaces for striking employees ceases immediately. IBEW, Local 1928 confirmed that it will reimburse RQM for employer and employee benefit premiums and therefore benefits will continue for striking employees without interruption.

Will garbage collection and other services continue?

Yes. All municipal services will continue as normal operations. The Solid Waste Facility, garbage collection, utility and tax bill payment, snow plowing, and every other municipal service will continue.

What should I do if the entrance to RQM’s buildings/properties is blocked by picketers?

Members of the public should not be stopped from entering municipal buildings. However, if residents are stopped by people on the picket line, please notify RQM immediately by calling Municipal Administration at 902-354-3453.  

The municipality will continue to serve the public and all municipal operations will continue.

December 16, 2024: Following a closed session meeting held on Monday, December 16, 2024, Council of the Region of Queens Municipality announced the termination of Mr. Cody Joudry’s employment contract as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Council has appointed Pam Lovelace to the position of Acting Chief Administrative Officer until such time that an Interim CAO is appointed.

Ms. Lovelace will continue to serve as the municipal clerk to support Council as they undertake the hiring process for a permanent CAO. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position with more than 20 years experience in the public sector.

Council of the Region of Queens Municipality is confident that Ms. Lovelace is the right person to guide the municipality during this transition period.

Mayor and Council is committed to supporting the growth of the Region and wishes Mr. Joudry well in his future endeavours.

December 2, 2024; Liverpool, NS: Following a thorough and diligent search, Region of Queens Municipality has hired a new Municipal Clerk. Pam Lovelace, a former Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), will begin her new role in the coming days.

Originally from Kentville, Kings County, NS, Lovelace has a keen interest in advancing rural Nova Scotia. She is an accomplished public servant with more than 10 years of experience in municipal government. Lovelace is a former Legislative Support Clerk in HRM’s Clerks Office, past Communications and Project Manager for the Municipality of East Hants, and board member of Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (2020-2023). She currently is an instructor of Local Government at Dalhousie University.

“I am honoured to join the incredible team at Region of Queens Municipality and continue working in municipal government in rural Nova Scotia,” said Lovelace. “I’m looking forward to working with senior staff, Council and committees to provide governance guidance and procedural guidance.”

The position of Municipal Clerk is essential to the operations of Council and committees. It is the Responsible Officer for Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) requests and principal researcher and facilitator in the development of policies, bylaws, and formal procedures. Lovelace will be the custodian of all municipal records.

“I am pleased that Region of Queens Municipality has hired Pam, who is a high calibre candidate and has a broad range of skills to offer.  We are excited for her to begin and join our team,” said Cody Joudry, Chief Administrative Officer. 

November 26, 2024: The first official act of the newly elected Council of Region of Queens Municipality is traditionally to elect a Deputy Mayor from among its members. At the first Regular Council meeting of the 8^th Council of Region of Queens Municipality, held on November 12, 2024, Councillor Maddie Charlton was nominated as Deputy Mayor and was elected to the position by acclimation.

The Deputy Mayor performs all duties of the Mayor when the Mayor is unable to do so. The term of office for Deputy Mayor is two years, and Councillor Charlton will serve as Deputy Mayor from November 12, 2024 until the first council meeting in November 2026.

Deputy Mayor Charlton is currently serving her second term on Council and is looking forward to continuing to work to create positive change in Queens.

November 22, 2024: Throughout Region of Queens Municipality’s Water Utility distribution system there are “flusher locations”. These are hydrants that release some water. They are essential to maintain water quality throughout the system. The Municipality has reduced flushing rates from 40 to under 5 gallons per minute to conserve water while ensuring safe potable water distribution.

Click here to watch the video: https://youtu.be/8aQIn9HS6eA

November 1, 2024: Construction has started at Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool for the new outdoor pool. A new pedestrian path will be created but until then, the current one is closed to allow for the construction to take place.  Access to the facility is available from all current entrances/exits, excluding the path from Highway #3 to the back entrance to Queens Place Emera Centre’s Lobby. Pedestrian access to the facility is available by using the sidewalk across from the facility along Queens Place Drive, to access the front or side entrances, or to continue to Mersey Skatepark and Etli Milita’mk Universally Designed Playground.  

We apologize for the inconvenience (and hope you will enjoy the pool! ).