Community News
New Energy Code Requirements - Effective April 1, 2026
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INFORMATION BULLETIN NOVA SCOTIA’S NEW ENERGY BUILDING CODES
What’s new?
Nova Scotia is adopting updated energy efficiency codes designed to reduce energy use in housing and small buildings.
When do the new codes take effect?
The new energy efficiency codes will come into effect on April 1, 2026.
Why are the new codes being adopted?
These changes support provincial targets for reducing greenhouse gas and carbon emissions. They also align Nova Scotia’s standards with national energy efficiency goals. The implementation is part of a four-year phased plan to improve the energy performance of buildings across the province.
What do the new codes include?
Nova Scotia will adopt Tier 2 of Section 9.36 of the 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC). Key improvements include:
Better insulated walls
More energy-efficient windows and doors
Efficient hot water tanks and mechanical ventilation (HRV) units
Tighter building envelopes
Smaller heated or cooled buildings to reduce energy consumption
Tier 2 requirements represent at least a 10% improvement in energy performance compared to current standards.
How can compliance be achieved?
Builders can comply with the new codes using one of three pathways:
1. Tiered Prescriptive Path (Points-Based): Achieve the required 10 energy conservation points through upgrades without complex energy modeling.
2. Tiered Performance Path (Energy Modeling): Use professional energy modeling software (e.g., HOT2000) to generate a comparative report. This offers the most flexibility.
3. National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB 2020): Follow prescriptive or performance compliance paths under NECB 2020, completed by a qualified energy efficiency specialist.
How to comply and submit compliance information?
Applicants or building owners will provide the required documents and information for the selected compliance pathway when applying for a Building Permit. Guides and forms will be available to simplify the process.
Where to find more information?
Contact the Building Inspection Department in your Municipality or visit Municipal, Provincial and Federal websites for further information.
Town of Truro: https://truro.ca/building-development-permits.html
Nova Scotia Building Code Regulations: https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/bcregs.htm
2020 National Building Code of Canada: https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=515340b5-f4e0-4798-be69-692e4ec423e8&dsl=en
2020 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings: https://nrc-publications.canada.ca/eng/view/ft/?id=af36747e-3eee-4024-a1b4-73833555c7fa&dsl=en
pdf INFORMATION BULLETIN(168 KB)
For more information visit - Building & Development Permits
Community Vote to Name Ford Street Park
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Have Your Say: Community Vote to Name Ford Street Park
The Town of Truro, in partnership with the African Nova Scotia Community Strategy Committee, invites African Nova Scotian residents to participate in a public vote to select the official name of the park located at the corner of Ford and Robie Streets.
This park will be named in honour of African Nova Scotian women educators and community leaders whose dedication, courage, and vision have made lasting contributions to our schools, neighbourhoods, and shared history.
In May 2025, the Nova Scotia Women’s History Society hosted a public history installation in the park, celebrating five extraordinary women: Martha Eleanor Jones, Willena Beatrice (Corbin Gabriel) Jones, Donna Lee Byard Sealey, Ann Michelle (“Shelley”) MacLean, and Vera (Halfkenny) Clyke. Their portraits now stand in the park as a permanent tribute to their legacy.
The community naming contest ran from December 1, 2025 to January 9, 2026 and received a wide range of meaningful name submissions. The African Nova Scotia Community Strategy Committee, in collaboration with the Community Enhancement Association and Zion Baptist Church, has narrowed the list to four finalist names:
Sisterhood Park
Reasoning:
"Black women educators were a sisterhood supporting each other in establishments that were for the most part, white. The sisterhood kept them strong as they constantly faced both racism and sexism, lack of representation, isolation, and discrimination."
The Marsh Community Park
Reasoning:
"I believe this name meaningfully reflects the history of the community, as this neighborhood has long been known as the Marsh. The street and surrounding area were historically home to Black families who built a strong, close-knit community here. Over time, the neighborhood has changed, but its history remains significant.
In honor of the families who grew up here, the memories created, and the legacy this street represents, I believe it is important that this history be recognized and preserved. Naming the park The Marsh Community Park ensures that the story of this community is acknowledged and not forgotten."
Corner of Knowledge
Reasoning:
"Education at it finest."
Reparations Park
Reasoning:
"The name Reparations Park speaks to the repair that this park represents. “Reparations” in this sense are acts that repair the damage done by centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and by anti-Black racism that persisted after the abolition of slavery and endures today. It is a strong statement to choose this name, and we firmly believe, an important one.
To me, the name "Reparations" speaks to the importance of the act of recognizing and celebrating the work of Black women in countering systems that have oppressed Black communities, and of their work to build the strength and unity of those communities."
Public Voting Day
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 9:00AM – 7:30PM
Location: Douglas Street Recreation Centre
40 Douglas Street, Truro
Who Can Vote:
This vote is open to African Nova Scotian residents of Truro and Colchester County. Participation is based on self-identification and reflects the community-led nature of this initiative.
Proof of residency (within a Truro or Colchester community) is required.
Accessible Voting Options
Residents who are unable to vote in person on January 27 may arrange an accessible voting option on January 21, 22, or 23 by contacting:
902-893-6094
RECC and CNSCCS Governance and Public Engagement Summary
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RECC Governance and Public Engagement Summary
Background
On December 11, 2025, Truro Town Council received a presentation outlining recent governance challenges at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) and the management of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Grounds. This came after the Municipality of Colchester issued notice to terminate the Operating Agreement, providing 90 days' notice on October 31, 2025.
To address these issues, the Town of Truro, in collaboration with the Municipality of Colchester, began considering changes to the governance structure of the RECC.
During this Special Council Meeting, Council members emphasized the importance of public input in shaping the future governance model for the RECC. As a result, Council passed a motion directing staff to engage with the Municipality of Colchester, consider amendments to the Society’s Bylaws, and conduct public engagement, including receiving input from the RECC CEO, before reporting back with recommendations.
Public Engagement Process
The public engagement process was initiated to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with municipal expectations. Residents and stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on the proposed governance changes, share their concerns, and suggest improvements. The engagement included an online survey, which ran from December 22 to January 5.
The Summary of Results from the public engagement process are outlined below, and a digital file of all individual responses was provided to the Town Council in advance of the Public Council Meeting on January 12, 2026.
pdf RECC and CNSCCS Governance and Public Engagement Summary(170 KB)
