Local Government > Sustainability

What is Sustainability? Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to maintain a certain process or state. Sustainability has become a complex term that can be applied to almost every facet of life on Earth, particularly the many different levels of biological organization, such as; wetlands, prairies and forests and is expressed in human organization concepts, such as; eco-villages, eco-municipalities, sustainable cities, and human activities and disciplines, such as; sustainable agriculture, sustainable architecture and renewable energy. Since the 1980s, the idea of human sustainability has become increasingly associated with the integration of economic, social and environmental spheres. In 1989, the United Nations Brundtland Commission articulated what has now become a widely accepted definition of sustainability: The classic definition "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Brundtland, 1987; Our Common Future, The World Commission on Environment and Development. An adapted definition for Antigonish as a Leading Sustainable Community “A dynamic process which enables all people to realise their potential and improve their quality of life in ways which simultaneously protect and enhance the Earth’s life support systems.” Porritt, 2000; Forum for the Future. Sustainability Initiatives of the County The County of Antigonish believes that sustainability is very important and is engaged in a number of initiatives: Framework for Antigonish as a Leading Sustainable Community In 2007, the County and the Town of Antigonish partnered to fund the development of a joint framework for sustainability which is now known as the Framework for Antigonish as a Leading Sustainable Community. Click here to access the framework. Integrated Community Sustainability Plan The federal government has committed to transfer funds equivalent to a portion of the federal excise tax on gasoline to municipalities. This transfer has now become permanent. The federal government and Nova Scotia entered into a Municipal Funding Agreement which set out the terms and conditions of the program. As a requirement for this funding, municipalities will prepare and submit Integrated Community Sustainability Plans (ICSP) by 2010. The Integrated Community Sustainability Plan is a long term plan (20 to 25 years) that focuses on identifying issues currently facing municipalities and their communities under the four pillars of environment, economy, culture and society. The ICSP process empowers communities to address current and future needs and propose solutions, while embedding municipal infrastructure requirements within these broader strategies. The areas of focus will be vast and may exceed 50 in number. While these areas of focus will include issues local to the various districts in the County, some general examples of topics that will need to considered: Mitigation/Adaptation for Climate Change, Protection of Ecological Assets, Renewable Energy, Municipal Energy Efficiency, Source Water Protection and Conservation, Food Security, Emergency Plans, Business Attraction and Retention, Tourism Planning and Heritage Protection, Arts and Culture, Affordable Housing, Active Transportation and Transit Strategy. Some of these areas will overlap with Provincial Statements of Interest and with other municipalities in the region since many of the challenges faced are similar. The development of the ICSP for the County commenced in January 2008 and is expected to be completed by November 2009. A work plan has been prepared and a Sustainability Committee has been formed at the County. The purpose of the Committee is to oversee the development of the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). Community and municipal input will be used for the development of the plan. The ICSP will be developed in the following stages: Stage 1: Information gathering - through existing literature review and through public consultations in every district in the County. Stage 2: Identifying a sustainability vision for the County and compiling information - in the form of topics/issues, goals, strategies/actions and establishing timelines to implement them. Stage 3: Public meeting for feedback and writing the ICSP. Implementation of the plan is expected to commence in 2010. See the following documents for information on the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan for the County of Antigonish: ICSP Guide Book ICSP Work Plan Model ICSP Work Plan and Timeline ICSP Community Consultation Plan (revised) Sustainability Committee Agenda - Jan.8.2009 Meeting Minutes - Jan.8.2009 Sustainability Committee Agenda - Feb.12.2009 Meeting Minutes - Feb.12.2009 Sustainability Committee Agenda - March12.2009 Meeting Minutes - March 12.2009 Sustainability Committee Agenda - Apr.9.2009 Meeting Minutes - Apr.9.2009 Sustainability Committee Agenda - May.14.2009 Meeting Minutes - May.14.2009 Mid-year Progress Report for Council - Jun.16.2009 ICSP Draft Goals and Priorities - August.2009 Progress Report - Aug.21.2009 Integrated Community Sustainability Plan - Draft - September, 2009 Further information on the County’s Sustainability initiatives will be posted on this web page as it becomes available.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Municipality of the County of Antigonish invites you to join in an Open House on September 15, 2009 between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Administrative Building (at 285 Beech Hill Road) to review the goals and priorities of the County’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SERIES The Municipality of the County of Antigonish has completed 10 Community Consultation Sessions for the future sustainability planning process for Antigonish County - one in each District. Additional sessions are being identified and are expected to include the First Nations, Youth and Sector representative organization. WHAT IS IT? The municipality is preparing an Integrated Sustainability Plan which will identify current and future needs of our community as well as strategies and actions to meet those needs. Your input is needed and it is the most important part of the plan. WHY IS YOUR PARTICIPATION IMPORTANT? This is an opportunity to share your ideas and vision on the future of Antigonish County. Your participation will also help the Municipality in identifying district and county wide priorities for the next 25 years. WHEN AND WHERE? All meetings will be held 7:00pm - 9:00pm HM MacDonald Elementary School Thursday, March 26, 2009 St. Joseph’s Lakeside Community Centre Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Ecole Acadienne de Pomquet Thursday, April 2, 2009 Saint Andrew Junior School Friday, April 3, 2009 St. Andrew’s District Community Centre Wednesday, April 8, 2009 Mini Trail Community Centre Monday, April 13, 2009 East Antigonish Education Centre Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Heatherton Parish Hall Monday, April 20, 2009 Havre Boucher District Community Centre Monday, April 27, 2009 Saint Andrew Junior School Thursday, May 7, 2009 Paq'tnkek First Nation Thursday, June 2, 2009 The Municipality’s ICSP Project Manager will facilitate the discussions. The Active Living Coordinator will also be in attendance to provide an overview on the development of a five year Active Living Plan. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND ONE OF THE SESSIONS. HOW CAN I PROVIDE INPUT? If you were unable to attend one of the community sessions or if you would like to share how you see the future of Antigonish County, e-mail your input to: ICSP@antigonishcounty.ns.ca