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
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)
Public Engagement on RECC Governance
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Governance Challenges at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre
On December 11, 2025, Truro Town Council heard a presentation that outlined the recent history and governance challenges surrounding Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) and the management of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition (NSPE) Grounds by the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society (the Society).
Jointly owned by the Municipality of Colchester and the Town of Truro, the RECC has operated under evolving agreements since 2013, with amendments in 2018 and 2023 expanding its mandate. However, concerns over financial reporting and compliance with these agreements led to significant governance issues.
From 2022 to 2025, a series of unauthorized contracts and management decisions were made without proper Board or municipal approval, resulting in escalating financial and operational concerns. Technical reviews identified risks in the proposed agreements, and repeated municipal requests for clarity went unmet.
In May 2025, the municipalities intervened, dismissing the original Board and appointing a new interim Board who were tasked with resolving the contract issues. In October 2025, the Municipality of Colchester subsequently issued notice to terminate the Operating Agreement, and the NSPE contract was also cancelled.
The key issues the municipalities have, which contributed to the breakdown in governance, were:
a lack of transparency and communication between management, the Board, and the municipalities;
management at the RECC entering into unauthorized agreements and exposing the municipalities to significant financial risks;
and delayed delivery and an unclear separation of finances between the RECC and NSPE.
The recommended next steps involve Truro Town Council considering a formal motion to determine the future governance of the RECC.
Based on a scan of governance oversight for similar facilities operating in other communities, Council is considering continuing with the current Society, but with changes to the governance structure so that all Directors of the Society are members of Truro Town Council or the Municipality of Colchester's Council. These changes would require amendments to the Society's Bylaws, and these changes could include:
Setting the number of directors at 6, with 3 from Truro Town Council and 3 from the Municipality of Colchester’s Council;
Establishing a Citizen Advisory Committee with citizens from Truro and Colchester to make recommendations to the Board;
Amending the current management structure to require regular Board meetings and reporting, as well as a management team consisting of the two CAOs from Truro and Colchester and the General Manager of the RECC.
During this Special Council Meeting, many Council members expressed the need for public input on a future governance model for the facility. As a result, the following motion was passed at the December 11th meeting:
By motion of Councillors I. McGrath and D. Pryor, it was resolved that Council direct staff to enter into discussions with the Municipality on continuing to have the Society manage and operate the RECC and making amendments to the Society’s Bylaws as described in the Memorandum provided with the RFD, and report back to Council with recommended Bylaw amendments for Council’s approval.
In making recommendations to Council, staff will conduct public engagement and will include the CEO of the RECC as part of the engagement process. Motion carried.
Overall, there is a need for transparent, accountable management and compliance with municipal expectations to restore public trust and ensure responsible stewardship of community assets.
