We Champion Advocacy
At NSFM, we hold firm to the belief that our united voice can drive impactful changes, enhancing the well-being of our communities and our province. Our efforts are dedicated to harmonizing our collective perspectives, identifying top-priority issues, putting forward recommendations, and orchestrating events that resonate with all levels of government.
Legislative Activity February 2025
NSFM Boosts Advocacy Through Atlantic Partnership
Committees & Priority Setting
NSFM's five committees each focus on key areas of municipal interest:
- Climate Change
- Equity & Community Wellbeing
- Municipal Infrastructure
- Municipal Autonomy
- Public Safety
Advisory Committee Overview: a comprehensive guide
This guide is designed to help you actively engage with our five advisory committees: Public Safety, Climate Change, Municipal Infrastructure, Municipal Autonomy, and Equity and Community Wellbeing. These committees play a crucial role in shaping how NSFM represents the interests of its members. Click Here
This practical how-to manual offers valuable insights into the objectives, functions, and collaborative opportunities within each committee. Crafted with the intent to empower your council, it aims to enable effective and meaningful contributions to NSFM's member-driven focus and advocacy goals.
Library of Municipal Interest
The Library of Municipal Interest is a digital platform that provides residents with a way to monitor local governance, focusing on five key areas: Climate Change, Equity & Community Wellbeing, Municipal Infrastructure, Municipal Autonomy, and Public Safety.
Each committee has a dedicated section where residents can easily access the latest information on local issues and projects. The platform's user-friendly design makes it simple to navigate between committees and follow the progress of municipal initiatives.
The Library offers transparency into the municipal decision-making process, allowing citizens to track the status of requests and see committee recommendations. Once decisions are made, the final Municipal Council Carried Motions are published, showing how local concerns are addressed through concrete actions.
Service Exchange - Historic MOU Signed
At a signing ceremony held on March 28 at Province House, the Province and NSFM signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement took effect April 1 and represents a landmark development for Nova Scotia’s municipalities.
The signing of the new MOU follows two years of negotiations and a significant investment of time and effort from NSFM, its leadership, and its membership. Thank you to our membership for their participation in the development of the MOU.
“The signing of this service exchange agreement marks a pivotal moment for Nova Scotia's municipalities, signaling a historic investment in our communities. Together, we've worked to address the evolving needs of our residents, fostering growth, and sustainability across the province.” ~ Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, President, NSFM
“The new service exchange agreement reflects a collaborative effort to support the diverse needs of Nova Scotians and bolster the vitality of our municipalities. With increased investment and streamlined processes, we are better equipped to address the challenges and opportunities facing our communities.” ~ Juanita Spencer, CEO, NSFM
“Today's agreement signifies a significant step forward in enhancing the partnership between the Province and municipalities. With the removal of certain financial burdens and the introduction of flexible funding mechanisms, we're poised to build stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.” ~ Murray Scott, Mayor, Municipality of the County of Cumberland; co-Chair, Service Exchange Renegotiation and Municipal Government Act Review Committee
To view MOU Document: Click Here. NSFM and the Province continue to work through the Schedule A - Long Term Discussions items outlined at the end of this document.
For key documents assembled by the SERMGAR Committee Click Here.
Municipal Code of Conduct
Our Municipal Code of Conduct is a remarkable example of successful collaboration between the Province, NSFM, AMANS, and the Association of Nova Scotia Villages. We've collectively developed a regulatory framework with teeth. This new legislated code is a stronger tool for promoting professionalism, transparency, and trust in municipal governance.
Municipal councils now have a framework to address unprofessional and disrespectful conduct following an arms-length investigation. The legislated Code provides clear language, a set of sanctions, and a set of considerations that will help councils better navigate some difficult decisions.
NSFM is now facilitating training sessions which are a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of the updated Code of Conduct and equip municipal leaders with insights to excel in their leadership roles.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Our Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for Printed Paper and Packaging (PPP) has transitioned into a formal piece of legislation with enacted regulations.
Presentation: pdf EPR for PPP Regulations: Implications For municipalities(847 KB) ; Video: Click Here
