News & Events

News release: Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy & MODL Protect Lands in the Shaubac

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Published: Wednesday, 26 October 2022 09:42

The Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy (KCC) and the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg are pleased to announce the preservation of four pieces of land totalling more than 54 acres, in the Shaubac, an area on the South Shore’s Kingsburg Peninsula, and the formation of a partnership between the two groups designed to work towards the protection of additional lands in this area.

Through the advocacy, diligence, and financial commitment of the KCC, and the financial support and advice of MODL, the Nova Scotia Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, and numerous individuals, the KCC was able to acquire four lands in the Shaubac which had come on the real estate market during the boom in land sales on the South Shore which took place this past year. With these recently acquired lands and lands earlier preserved by the KCC within this area, the Shaubac now has a virtually contiguous 116 acres protected corridor, which will aid in the protection of the areas flora and fauna and provide opportunities for public access via an eventual trail system.

Located at the mouth of the LaHave River estuary, the Shaubac, a neighbour to Gaff Point, is an area of historical, cultural, recreational, and environmental significance and one with importance to the local and provincial community. At over 585 acres, it is one of the last large, predominantly undeveloped coastal forests on the South Shore and in
Lunenburg County. 

“Joining the KCC in a partnership to protect more land in MODL will help achieve both municipal and provincial goals for climate change and conservation,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “The acquisition of the additional 55 acres in the Shaubac will facilitate natural corridors that will connect adjacent wilderness areas for wildlife."

Moving forward, a joint KCC-MODL working committee will be established to map out a medium and long-term strategy for saving as much land as possible on the Shaubac by utilizing our joint resources, as well as beginning to plan appropriate public access to these recently acquired lands. While perhaps most widely known for the preservation of Gaff Point and West Ironbound Island, with the acquisition of these new lands, the KCC now protects and stewards 53 parcels of land, representing over 327 acres, throughout the Kingsburg Peninsula. The KCC’s work in acquiring, preserving, and stewarding lands in their natural state is in keeping with the organization’s mission to “protect habitat, beaches, wetlands and shoreline, and secure access to these places in the Kingsburg Peninsula for public enjoyment now and forever."

The Board of the KCC wishes to thank MODL and all who worked to make the protection of additional lands in the Shaubac possible. In a part of the province where land is in such high demand it is very reassuring to know that there are individuals who share the vision of the KCC and are willing to support it in such a tangible and significant way. Information regarding the KCC, the lands it stewards, and making land donations can be found on its website: www.kccns.org.

News release: Municipality Donates $10,000 to Red Cross for Hurricane Fiona Relief Efforts

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Published: Wednesday, 12 October 2022 16:41

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg has donated $10,000 in emergency funding to the Canadian Red Cross to assist families that have been affected by the effects of Fiona.

“While we faced relatively minor issues here in Lunenburg County, other areas, like Cape Breton and Port aux Basques, faced significant damage,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Council voted unanimously to make this donation to help support those communities experiencing urgent need. We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the families of the three individuals who are believed to have lost their lives during the storm, and to those who are having to rebuild homes and businesses.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services and Communications
(902) 541-1328
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News release: Dry Well Relief Program Launches

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Published: Wednesday, 07 September 2022 09:51

Dry Well Relief Program Launches

September 7, 2022 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – Commencing immediately, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg will be providing water for drinking and cooking to municipal residents experiencing dry wells. This will be done through a coupon system and in partnership with local retailers. Municipal residents can pick up coupons at the Municipal Office at Allée Champlain Drive (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive electronic coupons and exchange them at various retail locations for water.

The program will provide residents with 4L of bottled water per person per day up to a maximum of four 4L jugs per day per household. Only households experiencing a clean water shortage are eligible to receive the coupons.

Coupons are good for a one-week period (Monday to Sunday) and will expire each Sunday for as long as the program is running. After expiration, new coupons can be picked up on a daily, weekly, or as-needed basis. Each coupon can be exchanged at select retailers within the Municipality for one 4L jug of water (no substitutes).

Effective immediately, coupons can be used at the following locations:

• New Germany Freshmart
• Nick’s Independent, Mahone Bay
• Sam’s No Frills, Bridgewater
The Water Market, Lunenburg (residents must bring their own container to be filled)

We anticipate offering additional locations in the near future, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more.

Residents of Big and Little Tancook Islands can go to the Municipality of the District of Chester and applicable Chester retail locations for their water coupons and bottles of water.

For those residents needing showers, the Municipality has opened the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre for shower availability.

This program will be re-evaluated as precipitation changes.

A dry well survey has also been created for residents to complete when they apply for their coupons. The answers to this survey will help emergency management officials determine the extent and severity of the dry weather. They can also determine if there are certain areas that require more assistance than others and can give consideration to helping those areas more directly. This information can also be useful if we have another drought situation in the future, as we can determine which areas are likely to be impacted first.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Launches Business Retention and Expansion Survey

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Published: Tuesday, 06 September 2022 14:36

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, along with the municipalities of Chester and Queens, has launched a new Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) survey for business owners. The three municipalities are taking a collaborative approach to better understand the plans and needs of local businesses and how business owners or managers view the community as a place to do business. The information from the survey will be used to plan economic development activities focused on the top priorities of local businesses.

MODL has retained consulting firm Deloitte LLP to assist with the project. Deloitte will be working with municipal staff to review the completed surveys to get an understanding of the local business climate with the intention of developing economic development activities aligning with the local business priorities. Selection for survey participation is random, and businesses who receive a call are encouraged to participate in the telephone survey. The survey is open from September 12 to October 14.

“The vibrancy and prosperity of our region is strongly connected to the success of our existing businesses,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “They provide the employment and services we need to ensure the Municipality remains a place where people can live, work and play. In recognition of how important our businesses are, the Municipality is taking positive action to identify and meet the needs of the businesses in our community.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Helps More Homeowners with Property Tax Rebate Program

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Published: Tuesday, 06 September 2022 14:30

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – To help make life more affordable for low-income homeowners, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg expanded the Property Tax Rebate program in March of 2022.

The Tax Department received 553 property tax rebate applications for the 2022-23 fiscal year, of which 546 properties qualified for the program based on household income. The total amount of the rebate is $176,405.92. These credits will be reflected on the property owners’ final tax bill. In 2021-2022, 347 applications were received (of which 339 were eligible), and the rebate total was $78,068.15.

“The Property Tax Rebate Program is one of the ways that Council supports low-income homeowners,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “The changes we made to the program in March expanded the eligibility criteria, and we are pleased that more homeowners were able to receive a rebate under this program.”

Qualified applicants will see the exemption on their final property tax bill for the year. Applicants must apply annually.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Aims to Reduce Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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Published: Wednesday, 06 July 2022 13:06

July 6, 2022 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – In 2019, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (MODL) declared a climate emergency and joined the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection (PCP). The Municipality committed to complete the PCP 5-milestone framework by developing and implementing a Local Climate Change Action Plan (LCCAP). The second milestone of the PCP program requires MODL to set a community greenhouse gas emissions reduction target.

On June 28, Municipal Council set a community greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 30% below the 2019 baseline emissions level by 2030, 65% below the 2019 baseline emissions by 2040, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“In 2021, MODL set our corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40% below the 2019 baseline emissions level by 2030,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “Some of the actions the Municipality has undertaken take to reach this include transitioning municipal vehicles to electric vehicles, and we have begun the procurement work to add solar power to the Municipal Services building.

“Over the course of the summer, our Sustainability Committee will consider a list of action items to propose to Council for inclusion in the Local Climate Change Action Plan. Residents can expect to see more about this issue in the late fall. Climate change is affecting our communities, and MODL must take a leadership role to address this crisis.”

Residents can learn more at engage.modl.ca/local-climate-change-action-plan

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
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(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Awards Annual Grant Funding

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Published: Wednesday, 06 July 2022 13:01

July 6, 2022 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – Each year, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg offers an Annual Operating and Major Recreation Capital Grant program to its non-profit groups to support the many volunteers and volunteer groups that make our communities better places to live, work and play.

This year, under the 2022-2023 Annual Operating Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $52,875 to 30 organizations. Under the Major Recreation Capital Grant Program, the Municipality awarded $36,000 to five organizations.

“Supporting our communities and community organizations continues to be an important priority of Council,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “In addition to these grants, the Municipality has given a total of $293,597 over the past year through our emergency community facility funding program.”

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services & Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

News release: MODL Invites Residents to Provide Feedback for 2022 Boundary Review

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Published: Wednesday, 18 May 2022 13:42

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg is seeking resident input on the number of Council members and boundaries of polling districts in the Municipality.

Nova Scotia’s Municipal Government Act requires municipalities conduct a study of the number of Councillors and the boundaries of polling districts in 2022. Following this, the Municipality must apply to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to confirm or change the size of Council or district boundaries. The Municipality has approximately 2,555 electors per Councillor; the average among Nova Scotia municipalities is approximately 1,915.

Currently, there are 10 Councillors elected by polling districts and 1 Mayor, elected at large, to make decisions for the Municipality regarding services, policies, and programs.

“We are seeking feedback from residents, and this input will be included in the final Boundary Review Committee recommendations,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “I encourage residents to visit our Engage website and provide their thoughts.”

Residents are encouraged to provide input through the survey by June 30 or by attending the virtual public meeting held Tuesday, June 21 at 6:30 pm. To register for the public meeting or ask questions about the survey, please contact Sarah Kucharski, Manager of Communications & Corporate Services at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (902) 541-1328.

To learn more about the 2022 Boundary Review, visit engage.modl.ca/boundaryreview.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Manager, Corporate Services and Communications
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328

News release: Municipality Passes 2022/23 Budget

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Published: Tuesday, 10 May 2022 19:15

May 10, 2022 / For Immediate Release

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg approved the 2022/23 operating and capital budgets at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.

The Municipality approved its annual operating budget of $35,604,600 with a $11,700 surplus. The capital budget and gas tax investment totals $8,897,500. This budget continues the Municipality’s track record of strong financial management, while continuing to meet the needs of residents.

“Council has a 5-year financial strategy that guides all of our budgeting decisions. This has served MODL well; residential tax rates have not changed in 13 years while the commercial rate has remained constant for 10 years,” said Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson. “This strategy allowed MODL to build its reserves and become debt-free while investing in important projects such as expanding access to high-speed Internet, the continuation of the LaHave Straight Pipe Replacement Program, and significant investments in improving roads and our open spaces. In order to remain debt-free, MODL will continue to build our reserves to ensure that capital funding is available for upcoming projects to address climate change, sustainability, and improvements and construction of infrastructure to be able to service new development in Osprey Village.”

Major Capital Investment Summary by Category

Read the Budget document and the Budget highlights at: www.modl.ca/Budget.

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Media contact:

Elana Wentzell, CPA CMA
Director of Finance and Municipal Treasurer
Municipality of the District of Lunenburg
(902) 541-1322
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News release: Statement on the Non-Resident Tax

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Published: Thursday, 05 May 2022 15:07

MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT OF LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – In session on April 26, 2022, Municipal Council discussed concerns related to the non-resident property tax contained in Bill 149 and its possible impact on the economy of rural Nova Scotia.

To voice its concerns regarding the non-resident property tax, Council passed a motion to write a letter to the NS Premier, Ministers of Finance and Treasury Board and Economic Development, with a copy to the local MLAs on the need to undertake a full analysis of the short- and long-term impacts of Bill 149, Financial Measures (2022) Act on both the supply and affordability of housing in Nova Scotia and on individuals, families, communities, businesses and the economy of MODL, rural areas and all of Nova Scotia.

“I am pleased that the Premier has taken our concerns, and the concerns of many other municipalities, individuals, communities and businesses, seriously, and has removed the proposed non-resident property tax completely for all non-residents who own residential property in Nova Scotia,” says Mayor Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.

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Media contact:

Sarah Kucharski
Communications Officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(902) 541-1328