Unions of Nova Scotia Municipalities

November/December 2011 e-Newsletter

President’s Message

Deputy Warden Jimmy MacAlpine

I am honoured to serve as your new UNSM President. Thank you for your strong show of support at the Annual Fall Conference.

One area I want to focus on during my tenure is improved communications within the UNSM membership itself. We heard loud and clear at the Fall Conference that many of our municipalities miss the days of regional meetings where rural municipalities and towns could get together to discuss issues of mutual concern. My plan is to resurrect the regional meeting process whereby the regions would host two meetings per year and would include attendance from the UNSM President, Executive Director and other staff.

To address the recently passed resolution on reviewing the caucus structure, I am hoping to use the first regional meetings to have a frank and open discussion on the opportunities and challenges with the caucus structure which has been in place since 2004. My own opinion is that the caucus structure still has an important role to play within the UNSM structure; however, it is also important that we regularly bring regions together to share information among the caucuses and to find areas of common ground.

At the November Fall Conference, UNSM members in attendance were asked to fill out a member survey. Results of that survey outlined five key issues that the UNSM should pursue. These include building relations with the province, municipal viability, developing a new infrastructure program, the Capped Assessment Program (CAP) and economic development. These issues will be brought to the Board for further discussion with a goal to develop strategies for each item.

It should be noted that some of these issues are currently being addressed. Building relations with the province was a key area identified in the UNSM Strategic Plan. The issue of municipal viability is being addressed through the work of the Towns Task Force which will have a draft report available to the membership for discussion sometime this spring. While the Province has clearly indicated it is not willing to scrap the CAP, I feel there are some communication strategies we can undertake to educate the public on why this is bad public policy. I hope to initiate some of these strategies over the course of my term.

From December 6-10, I attended FCM Board meetings in Ottawa, along with the other Nova Scotia Board Members—Warden Lloyd Hines, Councillor Russell Walker and Mayor Don Downe. This session included a series of meetings with Members of Parliament.  Our Nova Scotia group met with MP’s Scott Armstrong, The Honourable Geoff Reagan, Scott Brison, Rodger Cuzner, Peter Stouffer, Greg Kerr and Senator Terry Mercer.  Meetings were arranged to build the federal-municipal relationship, with key messages focused on the need to work together as Canadians, to encourage support for continuing investment in long term infrastructure, and to encourage discussion on other issues critical to communities and to the country.  Speakers at the Board meetings included The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Liberal Leader Bob Rae and NDP leader Nicole Turmel.

On December 5, I participated in the UARB Hearings in Canso regarding the dissolution of Canso’s town status in order to become part of the District of Guysborough. As you are aware, both municipalities support the proposed agreement. I indicated UNSM support for the agreement but suggested there needs to be a thorough review of the entire UARB dissolution process to make it more effective and efficient. The Towns Task Force is currently reviewing this issue and will make suggestions for an improved dissolution process.

On December 1, the Province and the Federal Government reached an agreement-in-principle on a new 20-year contract for RCMP policing services. The current contract expires March 31, 2012. Earlier discussions between UNSM and the Province suggested that municipalities would end up paying increased RCMP costs of 4 to 5 per cent. The Province has not yet confirmed these numbers. It is expected that the contract's language will be finalized by mid-December and will then go to cabinet for final approval. Details on the contract will be available to municipalities following cabinet approval.

On November 28, former UNSM Executive Director Ken Simpson was posthumously honoured by receiving the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Award of Excellence in Public Administration. As you know, Ken lost his two-year battle with cancer on April 17 of this year. Ken served as UNSM’s Executive Director for 19 years from 1990-2009. Prior to this he served as Director of Projects for the Maritime Municipal Training and Development Board. Ken’s accomplishments with both organizations, his commitment to municipal government and his honesty and integrity made him a top candidate for this award. Ken’s sons Alex and Adam were on hand to receive the award on behalf of the Simpson family.

For those of you who don’t know me, I wanted to provide some information on myself. I have served on Council for the District of Digby since 2000 and am currently the Deputy Warden. I have served on the UNSM Board since 2007. In 2008 I was appointed to the Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) where I am finishing up my three-year term. This past year I served as Board Chair.

In terms of municipal education and training, I completed the Government Essentials Program for Not-for-Profit Organizations from the Rotman School of Management in 2010 and completed my Certificate in Municipal Government from Henson College in 2001. I have also taken workshops through Henson College on Building Relationships, Municipal Law, Conducting Public Meetings and Presentations, and Effective Consultation Skills.

I currently run a family-owned business which has operated since 1977. Other interests, when I have time, include playing hockey, kayaking, golf and racquetball.
I want the membership to know I have an open door policy. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me directly. My email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; my cell phone number is 902-245-8746.

I look forward to working hard on your behalf to advance key municipal issues.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

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