Government
The Municipality of the District of Yarmouth will soon be transitioning to a Mayoral System with 6 electoral districts plus 1 Mayor elected at-large. Every resident will have two votes: one for their local district Councillor and one for the Mayor.
Because MODY is reducing its total number of electoral districts from 7 to 6, the electoral boundary lines need to be redrawn. This boundary review process ensures that local representation remains fair, balanced, and responsive as our population grows and shifts.
The District of Yarmouth Electoral Boundary Review page will serve as the hub for all information about this boundary review. Communications will be released soon, so check back regularly for updates.
As our region continues to face changing weather patterns and increasing pressure on water resources, building long-term water security has become more important than ever.
Following last year’s historic drought — considered a one-in-50-year event — the Municipality’s Water Resilience Program was created to help residents, businesses, and communities better prepare for periods of water shortage and uncertainty.
This webpage serves as a central hub for information, practical resources, conservation tips, programs, and tools designed to support responsible water use and strengthen resilience for the future.
Water Conservation Tips
During the Regular Council Meeting on April 22, 2026, Council unanimously approved a governance change that will take effect in the next municipal election, scheduled for fall 2028. Details surrounding this change will be posted on this page to help keep residents informed and educated as the 2028 election approaches.
Official Press Release
For Immediate Release
Council Approves New Governance Model for the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth
Yarmouth, NS — April 23rd, 2026 — The Council of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth has unanimously approved a governance change that will take effect in the next municipal election, scheduled for fall 2028.
Council voted to transition from the current Warden system to a Mayor system, giving residents the opportunity to directly elect the head of council. Under the existing structure, council members appoint a Warden from among themselves. Beginning in 2028, residents will instead vote for a Mayor through a municipal-wide election.
The decision follows a recent public survey, where residents supported the change by a two-to-one margin. Council considered this feedback in making its decision, reflecting the community’s preference for how local government should be structured.
“This change strengthens local democracy by giving residents a direct voice in choosing their municipal leader,” said Warden John Cunningham. “It reflects Council’s commitment to transparency and accountability.”
As part of the transition, the Municipality will maintain a council of seven elected representatives – six councillors and one mayor.
Under the new system, each voter will cast two votes in the municipal election: one for their district councillor and one for Mayor.
Next steps will include a boundary review and further community engagement throughout the spring and summer to help keep residents informed and educated about this transition.
Media Contacts:
Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
Email:
Mark Brewer
Communications Officer
Email:
Welcome to the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth’s 2026 Governance Survey. This survey is designed to gather your input on the leadership structure of the Municipality. Your feedback will help inform this important governance topic.
Residents will receive a card in the mail with the necessary code to access the survey, and it should only take approximately two to five minutes to complete.
The deadline for completing this survey is the end of the day Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Responses will be kept strictly confidential, and the results of the survey will not be used in any way that will allow anyone to identify you or your responses. Your participation is voluntary, and you can discontinue your participation at any time. You can also leave the survey and return later to complete it, picking up where you left off by re-entering the survey access code on your Survey Card.
To conduct this survey, the Municipality has hired Narrative Research, a Halifax-based survey research company. If you have any questions regarding the survey process, please feel free to contact Victoria Brooks at MODY at
This survey is registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council. To verify the legitimacy of the study, please visit Canadian Research Insights Council Research Verification Service and enter the following code: 20260206-NA209.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
To participate, visit 2026 Governance Survey.
Questions? Check out the pdf 2026 MODY Governance Structure Survey FAQ(669 KB) .
Want complete the survey using a paper format? Contact Narrative Research: 1-833-327-0548 (Be sure to leave your name and street address for a copy of the survey to be mailed to you)
Notice of Development Agreements
No new Development Agreements at this time.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT at its regular meeting on September 23, 2026, Council approved first reading of the following By-Laws:
Tax Exemption By-Law T-082-26-2 <
pdf
Tax Exemption By Law T 082 26 2(239 KB)
>
Local Improvement By-Law L-068-26 <
pdf
DRAFT Local Improvement By law(182 KB)
>
Council proposes to repeal and replace the following:
Tax Exemption By-Law T-082-26
Local Improvement By-Law L-068-09
and Second Reading for the By-Laws will occur at the Regular Council meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, located at 932 Highway 1, Hebron, NS.
The documents are available for viewing using the links above, or copies can be viewed at the Administration Building at 932 Highway 1, Hebron, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays; copy fees apply).
Victoria Brooks
Chief Administrative Officer
This notice was posted on October 2, 2026.
