Member of Parliament Mike Kelloway, Warden Bonny MacIsaac, and Deputy Premier Allan MacMaster were on a mission to make Inverness the best it can be when they announced 14 million dollars in active infrastructure money on Tuesday morning at the Inverness Fire Hall.
March 13, 2024
-by April MacDonald
They are investing in the future of Inverness.
The funding announcement made in Inverness on Tuesday morning had major curb-appeal and will promote healthier living, social equity, and reduced environmental impacts.
It was yet another transformative announcement – like last year’s $24 million wastewater infrastructure announcement that came down the pipe.
The fire hall in Inverness was standing room only and packed with members of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, as well as residents and business owners.
The major investment news is proclaimed to transform the way we move through Inverness.
What the county is calling “Complete Streets” was celebrated as a major investment in active transportation infrastructure.
Keith MacDonald, CAO of the County of Inverness, introduced all the major political actors before they took the podium.
The first to speak was MP Mike Kelloway who said, “It seems like we are making this a regular event… this place is starting to feel like home.”
Kelloway, Parliamentary secretary to the minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
Inverness will be getting a network of new trails and reconstructed sidewalks that will be established after a combined investment of $14 million from the federal and provincial governments, and the Municipality of the County of Inverness.
The announcement was made by Parliamentary Secretary Mike Kelloway, Minister Allan MacMaster, and Warden Bonny Maclsaac.
The project will give residents more options for walking and cycling while reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the community.
Inverness will get 2.97 kilometres of new multi-use pathways and trails. Additionally, 3.7 kilometres of sidewalks will be built or reconstructed along Central Avenue and Veteran’s Memorial Court.
Once complete, this project will improve cyclist and pedestrian safety and increase the connectivity and walkability of Inverness.
The municipality of this county firmly believes that public infrastructure provides the foundation for residential and commercial communities to thrive. Going forward, their goal is to move away from reactive measures in favour of proactive infrastructure planning.
Yesterday’s announcement proves this new and welcome approach.
What “active transportation” is really all about is decreasing the need to rely on our cars and trucks by increasing opportunities and incentives for people to choose other modes of transport. Pedestrians, wheelchair users, cyclists, and public transit users are the beneficiaries from a “complete streets” approach to infrastructure planning.
“Complete streets” refer to roadways that are designed to enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel for all users. They feature elements such as sidewalks, bike lanes and crosswalks that prioritize the needs of non-motorized transport alongside those of motorists.
This approach to community infrastructure planning allows people to get their daily exercise on the way to work, school, or gatherings, while promoting social equity among vulnerable communities and reducing the carbon footprint from motorized transport.
In addition, the Inverness Active Transportation Network project foresees the installation of amenities such as bike parking, benches and picnic seating, improvements to multi-use trails, and recycling/waste receptacles.
All of this is designed to create a more inviting and accessible community at the human scale, while fostering civic pride, social engagement, and economic activity.
The Inverness Active Transportation Network project addresses multiple societal challenges. It is fully aligned with federal and provincial objectives to increase access to clean energy transportation and build connected, resilient, and equitable communities.
The project will support economic development in Inverness County by enhancing community connectivity and elevating the image of Inverness, to reflect its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and prosperity.
“The federal government is proud to support projects that promote active living, like this network of new trails and reconstructed sidewalks in Inverness. When we develop active transportation networks, we reduce our reliance on vehicles, which lowers our carbon footprint. We also increase opportunities for movement in our everyday lives, resulting in stronger and healthier communities across Canada,” said Kelloway.
“These announcements come from the hard work of the community and by staff at the municipal level. I want to congratulate you Inverness County on your continued hard work,” closed Kelloway.
The Honourable Allan MacMaster thanked Kelloway and acknowledged all the councillors and the municipal staff who were present for Tuesday morning’s major announcement for they are the ones behind the scenes who put so much work into making the announcement a reality.
“The people who came to Inverness were as tough and as resilient as there is…as were the miners who came to work here,” said MacMaster.
He added that since then this town has been an economic hub that continues to grow and outgrow itself.
“Inverness is a community with a lot to offer,” said MacMaster.
He said that the goal is to make Inverness as great as it can be.
“These investments matter and they come on the backs of hardworking volunteers and municipal staff,” said MacMaster.
“We will be paving right through Inverness and with this active infrastructure announcement happening afterwards it will be a return to the old ways, where people walked to get around,” said MacMaster.
“Be forewarned that there will likely be sightings and talk of fairies and bochans,” he laughed.
“Let’s see the community of Inverness become a more modern place to live and work,” he added.
“This will change the community forever, offering people options to better move around on foot to enjoy the beach, the raceway, shopping opportunities, and something we all love to do around here: make a good visit to someone you know,” closed MacMaster, Nova Scotia minister of Finance and Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Tory Rushton, Nova Scotia minister of Natural Resources and Renewables.
“Without Allan’s support, we wouldn’t be here today,” said CAO MacDonald before he announced who was next up to the podium; none other than Warden for the County of Inverness, Bonny MacIsaac.
“This significant investment in open spaces is more than just infrastructure; it’s a gateway to social mobility for residents and visitors. By creating accessible streets and vibrant spaces, we’re not only enhancing connectivity but also supporting economic sustainability, development, and growth. These improvements will enable residents and visitors to more seamlessly access establishments at which they learn, shop, eat, stay, and play, fostering a more cohesive and prosperous Inverness where main street revitalization holds the promise of connection and opportunity,” said Warden Bonny Maclsaac, Municipality of the County of Inverness.
MacIsaac thanked Keith MacDonald, Kelloway, and MacMaster.
“This is another major announcement for the Municipality of Inverness County. I’m so proud to be able to represent our council at this exciting time, when the municipality, the province, and the federal government are all investing so much all across Inverness County, from Meat Cove to Port Hastings,” said MacIsaac.
“Last March we gathered here at the Inverness Fire Hall to hear the announcement of the largest infrastructure initiative the municipality has ever taken on, bringing our water and wastewater system up to the standards this community deserves.
“Today’s announcement is another massive economic boost. A total of $14 million to create an active transportation network promoting healthier, more economical, and more environmentally-friendly lifestyles, while making this community an even more inviting place to live, work, and do business.
“To say a little bit about the project that we’re unveiling today: Inverness really needs this work. As most of you know, I’ve lived most of my life here, and I’ve seen the effects of economic ups-and-downs on the fabric of the community over the decades.
“And now, in 2024, post-COVID, Inverness County is firmly on an upswing. Potential for growth in communities up and down the county is bursting at the seams. Our job as a municipality is to foster opportunities to unleash that potential,” explained the warden.
“Today’s announcement means a welcome face-lift for one of the busiest population centres in the municipality. Our county has an estimated population of 17 and a half thousand people, but we welcome over 300,000 visitors throughout the summer months. And a majority of those visitors likely pass through Inverness to enjoy its beautiful beach, the wonderful local restaurants and stores, the race track, and the golf course,” she added.
MacIsaac said that’s one of the reasons why active transportation is such a priority for this community.
She said the good news is that the entire community will benefit year-round from the opportunity to experience Inverness at a more human scale.
“It’ll be easier to choose biking or walking rather than driving around the community. We’ll see increased opportunities to relax outdoors and run into neighbours with added infrastructure such as benches and café-style tables and seating,” said MacIsaac.
In closing, the warden said that communities in Inverness County are on the rise.
“We’re growing. And we need to have infrastructure that supports that growth, and that provides quality of life for the residents and visitors of our beautiful patch of earth… thanks to today’s historic announcement, we’ll be able to provide the infrastructure improvements that this community needs so that it can thrive and grow, now and in the future,” closed Warden MacIsaac.
