Fibe Internet Ready to Connect in Parts of Central Queens

Phase One areas in Central Queens ready for Fibe connection through Bell Canada are outlined on this map, excluding areas in grey, which are awaiting final permits.  Once permits are received, those areas will be ready to connect to homes.

September 3, 2020; Greenfield, NS:  Reliable high speed fibre internet service is now a reality for more than 862 new properties in Central Queens starting immediately. Over the spring and summer, Bell Canada crews and their contractors have worked to install internet cables on poles in areas of North and Central Queens County that have had no internet or substandard internet speeds. Bell Aliant is now ready to connect the service to homes.  The first phase of Bell Canada’s “Fibre to the Home Footprint Expansion” was approved in February 2020 with funding through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, a program of Develop Nova Scotia and the Province of Nova Scotia. Region of Queens Municipality has contributed $435,500 for this first phase which will now provide internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps in parts of Labelle and Buckfield. Today, 862 premises in Central Queens can connect to Bell’s high speed Internet service, with another 74 premises expected to be available for connection once provincial permits to run cables across waterways are approved.

“Today is the day we have been waiting to see for a long time. As of today, 1,273 new premises in North and Central Queens now have access to high speed internet with another 74 premises expected in the coming weeks for a total of 1,347 premises, which is more than originally planned for in Phase 1. These 1,347 homes and businesses can contact Bell Aliant immediately to be connected to reliable high speed internet service. Getting to this point has been a long journey, and Council of Region of Queens Municipality is grateful to have collaborated with Develop Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia, and Bell Canada to bring fibre internet to our underserviced residents in North and Central Queens.” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.

The Bell Canada Project will extend Fibre to the Home service to approximately 1,350 premises in this first phase with 411 in North Queens and 936 in Central Queens. In addition to the contribution of $435,500 by Region of Queens Municipality, Develop Nova Scotia contributed $487,000 through the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for Nova Scotia Initiative, and Bell Canada funded the balance of the $1.9 million project. In 2019, Region of Queens Municipality also contributed $64,500 towards installing fibre backbone along Highway 210 in Central Queens and Highway 8 in North Queens to make today’s announcement possible. Without that initial investment last year by the Municipality, none of today’s announcement would be possible.

Residents in the Phase 1 communities interested in being connected to fibre internet service may contact Bell Aliant at 1-844-305-4228, visit the Bell Aliant store at MacPhersons at 37 Bristol Ave in Liverpool (or call them at 902-354-5054), visit the Bell Aliant store in the Bridgewater Mall, or visit www.bellaliant.ca, to learn more about the service and to schedule an appointment for installation and connection.

 * map added September 17, 2020 at 11:12 a.m.

* media release updated – Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 at 2:50 p.m.

Fibe Internet Ready to Connect in Parts of North Queens

Phase One areas in Caledonia and area ready for Fibe connection through Bell Canada are outlined on this map.

September 3, 2020; Caledonia, NS:  Reliable high speed fibre internet service is now a reality for more than 1,250 properties in Central and North Queens starting immediately. Over the spring and summer, Bell Canada crews and their contractors have worked to install internet cables on poles in areas of North and Central Queens County that have had no internet or substandard internet speeds. Bell Aliant is now ready to connect the service to homes.  The first phase of Bell Canada’s “Fibre to the Home Footprint Expansion” was approved in February 2020 with funding through the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative, a program of Develop Nova Scotia and the Province of Nova Scotia. Region of Queens Municipality has contributed $435,500 for this first phase which will now provide internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps in parts of Caledonia, West Caledonia, Westfield, and Harmony Mills. Today, 411 premises in North Queens can connect to Bell’s high speed Internet service.  

“Today is the day we have been waiting to see for a long time. As of today, 1,273 new premises in North and Central Queens now have access to high speed internet with another 74 premises expected in the coming weeks for a total of 1,347 premises, which is more than originally planned for in Phase 1. These 1,347 homes and businesses can contact Bell Aliant immediately to be connected to reliable high speed internet service. Getting to this point has been a long journey, and Council of Region of Queens Municipality is grateful to have collaborated with Develop Nova Scotia, Province of Nova Scotia, and Bell Canada to bring fibre internet to our underserviced residents in North and Central Queens.” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.

The Bell Canada Project will extend Fibre to the Home service to approximately 1,350 premises in this first phase with 411 in North Queens and 936 in Central Queens. In addition to today’s contribution of $435,500 by Region of Queens Municipality, Develop Nova Scotia contributed $487,000 through the Nova Scotia Internet Funding Trust for Nova Scotia Initiative, and Bell Canada funded the balance of the $1.9 million project. In 2019, Region of Queens Municipality also contributed $64,500 towards installing fibre backbone along Highway 210 in Central Queens and Highway 8 in North Queens to make today’s announcement possible. Without that initial investment last year by the Municipality, none of today’s announcement would be possible.

Residents in the Phase 1 communities interested in being connected to fibre internet service may contact Bell Aliant at 1-844-305-4228, visit the Bell Aliant store at MacPhersons at 37 Bristol Ave in Liverpool (or call them at 902-354-5054), visit the Bell Aliant store in the Bridgewater Mall, or visit www.bellaliant.ca, to learn more about the service and to schedule an appointment for installation and connection.

 * Map added September 17, 2020 at 11:08 a.m.

* media release updated – Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 at 2:50 p.m.

July 29, 2020; Liverpool, NS:  Residents of Queens County will soon be able to share their thoughts on how to improve accessibility throughout Queens County.  Region of Queens Municipality will begin by first looking inward, assessing Municipal properties and services in terms of accessibility and creating action plans for improvement.    

Province of Nova Scotia’s Accessibility Act was adopted in 2017, with a vision of an accessible Nova Scotia by 2030. Implementation is planned to begin in 2022 with the first standards relating to built environment and education.  One of the first actions to be taken will be the establishment of an Accessibility Advisory Committee.  The Committee will consist of two Councillors and five members of the public who are either a person with a disability or who represent an organization for persons with disabilities. Their role is to work with the Municipality’s Accessibility Coordinator, Elise Johnston, to assist with outreach and making customized recommendations on standards for Region of Queens Municipality’s Accessibility Plan.  An essential part of the development of the plan is public input, one of the methods of which will be through an Accessibility Survey. It is important that those living with disabilities of any kind share their experiences of living with disabilities in the survey, ensuring that the barriers in Queens County are recognized and addressed as part of the plan developed by the Accessibility Coordinator and Accessibility Committee. A call for expressions of interest for Accessibility Committee members and posting of the Accessibility Survey for Queens County will both be promoted in the coming weeks.

“Council is pleased to see the Accessibility Plan for Queens County begin to move forward.  Throughout the mandate of the current Council, we have been taking steps toward improving accessibility in Queens County, such as installing an audible crossing signal at the traffic lights in Liverpool, painting sidewalk splays, installation of an accessible washroom and entry doors at the Municipal Administration Office, and Council’s support through a grant of up to $99,750 and land at Queens Place Emera Centre for the Queens Universally Designed Play Park,” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality. “We look forward to seeing the recommendations of the Accessibility Plan, and the work that will ensue from the Accessibility Committee.”

July 29, 2020; Liverpool, NS:  Region of Queens Municipality took a big step forward yesterday adopting a Municipal Government for All Vision Framework that sets the stage for the creation of a community-led Diversity and Inclusion Action Team and the hiring of a Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. While the Framework was not unanimously approved, Mayor David Dagley is pleased with its adoption by a clear majority of Council, “Today, we recognize that as a local government closest to the people, that we need to do better to serve all of our residents fairly. This document begins that process by accepting responsibility for our faults and committing to correcting them going forward. Without a recognition of a problem, we cannot bring forward solutions.”

The Framework has been in development since last fall and outlines changes that are required at the municipal level with programs, services, and infrastructure. It also recognizes that those marginalized in our community by racism and discrimination need to be part of the team that provides advice to Council and the community on ways to be more diverse and inclusive.

“Queens County is known as a welcoming community, but Council acknowledges that we still have room to improve to ensure that all in our communities are treated equitably, as we work towards eliminating systemic racism and discrimination,” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality. “Queens is not immune to discrimination, and it is our vision to move forward, working with our residents, Council and staff to change the way we think about daily interactions, policies and procedures, and strive to remove barriers and create positive connections for all.”

The Framework will begin to be implemented immediately with advertising for interested members of the community to become involved with the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, consisting of local residents, once its Terms of Reference are approved. The Action Team will engage with the community to identify needs and supports to ensure inclusion and equality for all, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, gender expression, ability, and those feeling unheard, with a feeling of individual and community belonging, as well as a sense of pride, person and dignity.

“Queens County is known for thinking proactively, and being an open-minded, resilient community. We are pleased to move forward as an inclusive community accepting of all, and know our residents will be supportive of today’s positive changes,” said Dagley.

A motion earlier in the meeting to refer the matter to the new Council after the October 2020 election was later withdrawn.

July 28, 2020; Liverpool, NS:  A new collective agreement between Region of Queens Municipality and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEM) Local 1928 has been ratified and approved by Council at the July 28, 2020 Regular Council meeting.  The agreement will provide unionized full-time and temporary employees in the Engineering and Public Works Department with 2% annual increases in their hourly wage each year over a four year period, from April 1, 2020 through to March 31, 2024.  In addition to the 2% annual increase in wages, Materials Recovery Facility Sorters will receive a one-time 50 cent increase in their hourly rate, retroactive to March 31, 2020. 

“Region of Queens Municipality is proud of the skilled workforce we employ in our Engineering and Public Works Department.  These employees enable many progressive infrastructure projects to be completed with our own workforce, at considerable savings to taxpayers,” said David Dagley, Mayor of Region of Queens Municipality.   “The department is an asset to our community, and we are proud to provide employment for 39 local people, many of whom have worked for Region of Queens Municipality for many years.”

There are 24 full-time employees and 15 temporary employees within the Engineering and Public Works Department responsible for Materials Recovery Facility, Municipal Solid Waste Management Facility, South Queens Water Treatment Facility, North and South Queens Sewage Treatment Facilities, Capital Works, as well as streets in Liverpool, sidewalks, storm water and other Municipal parks and properties throughout Queens County.