The Record Ep. 57

Richmond Municipal Council held its Committee of the Whole meeting on June 10 in Arichat. Following the session, Warden Lois Landry and Deputy Warden Brent Sampson took questions from Civic Journalist Jake Boudrot.

The meeting began with a presentation from Rachael LeBlanc, Seniors’ Safety and Social Inclusion Coordinator with the Dr. Kingston Memorial Community Health Centre in L’Ardoise. She outlined initiatives aimed at improving well-being and inclusion for older adults in the region.

Next, Hugh MacKay of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia presented on the Dave Gunning Zero Hunger Fund, an initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in rural communities.

The Loch Lomond Volunteer Fire Department requested that the municipality enter into a $73,564 loan agreement to allow the department to purchase a 2021 Ford Super Duty F-350 truck to support their operations.

Council also discussed a Community Capacity Cohort Grant application, although details were not disclosed at the meeting.

Several funding requests were deferred to budget deliberations, including:

• $1,000 from the River Bourgeois Mariner Society

• Two $800 requests from Kitchen Rackets Organization

• $7,500 from the Janvrin’s Island Community Centre

• $5,980 from the St. Peter’s–Grand River–Loch Lomond Pastoral Charge

• A sponsorship request from the Tom MacNeil Cancer Patient Care Fund

Warden Landry updated council on a series of productive meetings regarding the ongoing effort to bring a CT Scanner to Strait-Richmond Hospital in Evanston. She also reported on her recent attendance at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025, held May 20–22 in the Netherlands.

District 4 Councillor Amanda Mombourquette recommended that council add the AtHome Housing Association to Richmond County’s list of non-profit organizations under Municipal Bylaw #56, recognizing its contribution to local housing needs.

Deputy Warden Brent Sampson, who also represents District 5, raised the issue of involuntary property destruction advocacy, referring to properties lost due to fire or extreme weather. He also addressed concerns around provincial credit freeze legislation, following the data breach reported by Nova Scotia Power.

In response to the wildfire that burned approximately 15 hectares in the Framboise area late last month, council extended its thanks to all emergency responders and volunteers involved in extinguishing the blaze.

Clair Rankin, the municipality’s citizen appointee and chair of the Eastern Counties Regional Library Board, sent a letter requesting council’s support for sustainable public library funding. Rankin emphasized the vital role libraries play as warming centres, accessible washroom facilities, internet hubs, and safe spaces for vulnerable populations. He noted that libraries also offer programming ranging from food security to tax preparation, support for custody visits, and a variety of youth and senior engagement activities.

Finally, Heather Brennan, Manager of the Before and After Program, spoke about the need for organizations or childcare providers to deliver after-school programs at Felix Marchand Education Centre and East Richmond Education Centre. The program, delivered by community organizations, is open to children from pre-primary to Grade 6, with priority given to younger children.