National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
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Wednesday, September 30, 2026 has been proclaimed as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Amherst. This is the day that commemorates and honours the children who never returned home, and acknowledges the resilience, dignity, and strength of survivors and intergenerational survivors, families, and communities.
Council urges Amherst residents to observe this day with reflection and action to build understanding of our shared history with Indigenous Peoples. By acknowledging the truths of our past, we strengthen our commitment to a future founded on respect, unity and understanding.
Find more information here on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Please Note: Town of Amherst facilities will be closed on September 30, in observation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Regular operations will resume on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
September 28, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
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Town Council held its regular September meeting on Monday night to address items including:
Amherst Youth Advisory Committee Appointments
The Amherst Youth Advisory Committee provides Council with a youth perspective, empowering young people to be active participants in the community. Council appointed 11 applicants to the AYTC: Emily Stonehouse; Abby Short; Callum Taylor; Lamya Saify; Ava Tooley; Kawthar Alchehade; Avery Hoeg-Burbine; Ava Crocker; Isla Crocker; Allison Jones; and, Hannah Brunt.
Stadium Canteen Concession Agreement
Council approved a one-year extension to the existing Stadium Canteen Concession Agreement and directed staff to issue an RFP for Canteen Services next fall, to be effective September 1, 2028.
Variance Appeal – 69 Lower Laplanche Street
The variance to reduce the minimum required lot area by 7.5% was upheld, permitting the construction of a nine-unit apartment building at 69 Lower Laplanche Street. Staff’s review concluded that the requested variance was reasonable, given parking and amenity space, area infrastructure, and ability to accommodate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Regional Emergency Management Organization Bylaw and Agreement
First reading was given to a new bylaw developed and recommended by the Department of Emergency Management, with changes incorporated to fit the Town of Amherst. This will provide a framework for the creation of the Regional Emergency Management Organization, the Regional Emergency Management Advisory Committee, the Regional Emergency Management Planning Committee, the Regional Emergency Management Coordinator Position – and other important duties, protocols, agreements, and powers during an emergency. The Intermunicipal Service Agreement was also approved, outlining how the local Regional Emergency Management Organization will be run between the three participating municipal units.
2025/26 Audited Financial Statements and Appointment of Auditor
Recommendations of the Audit Committee were accepted, including that Town of Amherst Consolidated Financial Statements be approved for the year ended March 31, 2026 – which were audited by the firm McIsaac Darragh Inc. – and that the same firm be appointed as the municipal auditor for auditing services during the 2026/27 fiscal year.
Community Support Grant
To provide better comfort for museum visitors, the Cumberland County Museum and Archives has been provided with a Community Support Grant in the amount of $3,557 towards updating the heritage building’s heating and cooling systems.
Financial Transfers, Adjustments, and Amendments
- Year End Capital Financing Adjustment: Water operating capital from revenue was increased from $40,000 to $144,000 because of a surplus in the Water Operating Budget, which will allow funding of future projects from the Water Depreciation Fund.
- Year End Operating Reserve Transfer: A deficit in the Solid Wase Education department for the 2025/26 fiscal year will be covered by a transfer from the Operating Reserve to General Operating. Per the Intermunicipal Solid Waste Contract, Amherst will fund $16,881.14, with the remaining 62% of the deficit to be funded by the Town of Oxford and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland.
- Water Capital Budget Amendment: $30,100 in non-recoverable HST expenses for the North Tyndal Wellfield land trade with JDI will be covered by the Water Depreciation Fund.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Land Purchase: Capital Reserve funds totalling $87,000 will cover the purchase of land at 141/143 East Pleasant Street.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Library Heat Pump: Recent emergency repair work to the library’s geothermal heating and cooling system required an amendment to the 2026/27 capital budget in the amount of $15,000 – to be funded from the Operating Reserve.
- Capital Budget Amendment – Fire Truck: Significant engine repairs were completed on Engine 3 at a cost of $76,000, which will be funded from the Operating Reserve.
Read more: September 28, 2026 Amherst Town Council Highlights
Audit Committee - Call for Citizen Appointment
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The Town of Amherst is looking for an interested citizen to fill a vacancy on the Town of Amherst Audit Committee. This Committee assists Town Council in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to finance and audit matters.
To be a candidate for appointment, a person must demonstrate all of the following qualifications to the satisfaction of Council:
- Possess a knowledge of finance and audit-related matters;
- Be of good character;
- Possess the skills and abilities to make the commitment of time and effort required to carry out Committee responsibilities; and
- Consent to criminal record and background checks.
Please provide a written letter of your background and interests to Natalie LeBlanc, Municipal Clerk, PO Box 516, 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst, NS B4H 4A1 or by email to
All applications must be received by Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 4:30 PM.
Church Street closures, week of Sept 21, 2026
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Town of Amherst's public works will be replacing the sidewalk on Church Street in front of the CIBC. Work will begin on Monday, September 21, and will continue all week.
Church Street will be closed between King Street and Princess Street in order to complete this work.
Barricades will be in place every day during the week of September 21 - Church Street closed at 7 a.m. and anticipated re-opening time every night is 7 p.m.
Drivers are encouraged to plan an alternate route during this time.
This sidewalk replacement project is part of the 2026-2027 capital budget, and it was identified because the existing brick pavers are in poor condition and are deteriorating. This project has a budget of $10,000.
Notice of Public Participation Opportunity - October 5, 2026
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Amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw
Town of Amherst staff invite you to a Public Participation Opportunity regarding amendments to the Town of Amherst Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw to define and address “consumption sites” and “overnight or emergency shelters”.
Under the current Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB), these types of facilities are not defined. It is important to note that this public participation opportunity or any proposed amendments are not about moving the existing shelter. As an existing use, amendments to the planning documents do not impact on the current shelter’s operation.
A Public Participation Opportunity is scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in Town Hall Council Chambers, 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst, NS where staff will present potential definitions of the above noted uses, with potential MPS and LUB amendments that specify where such uses are permitted and under what conditions.
Written submissions may be provided in advance to the Municipal Clerk at 98 East Victoria Street, Amherst, NS or by email to
Natalie LeBlanc
Municipal Clerk
Read more: Notice of Public Participation Opportunity - October 5, 2026
Public Participation Opportunity will not be livestreamed Sept 14
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Due to technical difficulty, this evening's Public Participation Opportunity on the Road Trails Designation Bylaw will not be livestreamed.
The meeting recording will be made available upon request starting Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Read more: Public Participation Opportunity will not be livestreamed Sept 14
Downtown Street Closures on Saturday
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This Saturday, September 12, 2026, Amherst public works will close the "Downtown T" for an event in Victoria Square recognizing the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Barricades will be in place from 7 a.m. until approximately noon on Saturday.
Church Street will be closed to traffic between King Street and Victoria Street East. Victoria Street East will be closed to traffic between Lawrence Street and Havelock Street.
Drivers are advised to plan an alternate route.
Please contact Town Hall with any questions about this street closure - 902-667-3352 or
