Let's Talk Antigonish Podcast

In this week’s episode we speak with Meghan MacNeil, Active Living Coordinator for the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, about biking safety and the Make Your Move Antigonish initiative. We discuss the rules of the road for both cyclists and drivers, including how bikes should behave at intersections and the challenges of sharing roads designed primarily for cars. The conversation covers the growing presence of e-bikes and scooters in the community, and how best to make our roads safer for both cyclists and drivers. Meghan gives us the lowdown on Make Your Move Antigonish, a provincially-supported wellness campaign that encourages simple movement throughout daily life rather than structured exercise programs. She describes workplace initiatives like walking meetings and parking lot loops, community programs including walking school buses, and efforts to reach people at work, school, and home. The discussion touches on barriers to active transportation in rural areas, the challenge of changing sedentary behaviors, and plans for expanding the program to high schools and creating safe route-to-school maps.

Call Meghan directly to ask about Make Your Move Antigonish (902) 863-1141 or email [email protected]

Make Your Move Antigonish website

Make You Move Antigonish on Facebook

Bike safety rules Nova Scotia

Rules of the road from Cycling Nova Scotia

We sat down with Shaun Smith, coordinator for this year’s Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition happening from August 27-31 at the exhibition grounds/barns off of James Street. Some changes to note for this year:

* Water is being trucked in, so the event won’t use any town water

* There’s a goat show this year - the only one in Atlantic Canada

* There’s a new lumber sport event with exciting chainsaw action

* Due to a last minute cancellation, midway rides this year are being provided by a new company that focuses on kids rides, so there will be fewer of the big scary rides like the scrambler and ferris wheel.

If you’ve never been to the fair, this is a great year to check it out. Popular events like the tug-of-war and the ATV obstacle courses will be back, as well as barrel racing, pole bending, horse pulls, and many draft horse and cattle shows. There will be youth singing competitions, as well as contests for flowers, photography, vegetables, crafts, and baking.

This year’s event will honor Donald MacLellan, who managed the exhibition for 51 years and passed away in 2024. During the official opening on Wednesday, the horse barn will be dedicated to Donald.

Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition website

Follow the Exhibition on Facebook

We sat down with Janet Becigneul of the Haunted Antigonish Ghost Tour to learn about the world famous ghosts here in Antigonish. From the Blue Nun and Red Priest to the fire ghost of Caledonia Mills, this town is renowned for our ghosts. In fact, the name “Antigonish” is most often associated with the ghost-inspired poem Antigonish (I met a man who wasn't there) by Hughes Mearns which inspired a film and a few songs including the David Bowie hit The Man Who Sold The World (famously covered by Nirvana).

Watch The Fire Ghost of Caledonia Mills at this link featuring many familiar Antigonish faces!

Antigonish (I met a man who wasn't there)

by Hughes Mearns

Yesterday, upon the stair,I met a man who wasn't there!He wasn't there again today,I wish, I wish he'd go away!When I came home last night at three,The man was waiting there for meBut when I looked around the hall,I couldn't see him there at all!Go away, go away, don't you come back any more!Go away, go away, and please don't slam the door... (slam!)Last night I saw upon the stair,A little man who wasn't thereHe wasn't there again todayOh, how I wish he'd go away....

We sat down with Blaise MacDonald, Antigonish Emergency Management Coordinator, to ask what the Antigonish has been doing to prepare for the next major wildfire, flood, hurricane, or other disaster. Turns out that a lot has changed since Hurricane Fiona - we now have an Antigonish Regional Emergency Management Plan on the books (as of 2022). Blaise gives us all the details in this week’s episode. A full overview is provided below. Here are some links to resources mentioned in the episode:

Red Cross 72-hour emergency kit info

Red Cross Be Ready emergency preparedness info

Antigonish County emergency preparedness info

Town of Antigonish emergency preparedness info

Summary of the episode (auto-generated):

Summary

This episode of "Let's Talk Antigonish" features host Justin speaking with Blaise MacDonald, the Antigonish Regional Emergency Management Coordinator, about emergency preparedness in Antigonish town and county. The conversation covers how the region has strengthened its emergency response capabilities since Hurricane Fiona.

Key Topics Covered

Emergency Management Structure

* Leadership: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is led by either the town's CAO (Randy DeLorey) or county's CEO (Sherlyn Donovan), with Blaise supporting the team

* Locations: Two dedicated EOC locations - primary at Beech Hill municipal office, secondary at Main Street town hall

* Team composition: Includes town/county employees, RCMP, fire departments, EHS, and ground search and rescue

Emergency Response Scenarios

Wildfire Response:

* Department of Natural Resources (DNR) coordinates actual fire suppression

* Local emergency management activates when fires exceed local capacity

* Regular tabletop exercises practice wildfire scenarios (like the recent Pinevale area exercise)

Evacuation Procedures:

* Alert Ready system broadcasts over radio, TV, and cell phones

* Door-to-door notification by ground search and rescue in areas with poor cell coverage

* 23 comfort centers and 2 emergency shelters available

Facilities and Capacity

Emergency Shelters (overnight accommodation):

* CACL/Legion facility in downtown core

* Heatherton community centre in Heatherton

* Combined capacity: approximately 400 people

* Equipped with beds, cots, blankets, hygiene kits, and backup generators

Comfort Centers (temporary refuge):

* 23 locations for short-term stays

* Provide device charging, refreshments, information updates

* Not equipped for overnight stays

Improvements Since Hurricane Fiona

* Antigonish Regional Emergency Management Plan adopted (2022)

* Dedicated emergency shelters established

* Two EOC locations identified

* Enhanced communication protocols

* Better coordination with provincial and federal partners

* 10-year agreements with shelter facilities

Personal Preparedness Recommendations

* Emergency kits: 72-hour supplies including food, water, medications

* Important documents: Multiple copies of passports, ID stored in accessible locations

* Emergency plans: Contact information and evacuation routes

* Resource: Canadian Red Cross website for kit and planning guidance

Community Support Systems

* Vulnerable persons registry: Province-wide program in development

* Neighbour support: Emphasis on community members checking on elderly and at-risk neighbors

* Volunteer opportunities: Fire departments, Nova Scotia Guard, comfort center organizations, Red Cross

New Fire Training Facility

* Located in Lower South River Industrial Park on 5-acre site

* Will provide live fire training, search and rescue, vehicle extrication, and dry hydrant operations

* Benefits all 9 regional fire departments (8 county + 1 town)

* Currently in development phase with legal agreements pending

Current Drought Conditions

* Mandatory water restrictions in place

* Provincial restrictions on outdoor activities, ATVs in woods, and outdoor fires

* Human activity identified as primary wildfire risk factor, but lightning still a major cause of wildfire

* Extremely dry conditions throughout the region

Additional Resources

* Nova Scotia Guard: 1,000 trained volunteers available province-wide for emergency response

* Provincial/Federal support: Available for events exceeding local capacity

* Public information: Town and county websites, Alert Ready system, local radio (XFM)

Key Takeaways

Blaise emphasized several important points:

* Stay calm and prepared - understand local hazards (wildfire, flooding)

* Community cooperation - neighbours should look out for each other

* Personal responsibility - maintain emergency kits and plans

* Trust in systems - significant improvements made since Fiona

* Get involved - volunteer opportunities available in fire departments and emergency services

The episode demonstrates that Antigonish has significantly strengthened its emergency preparedness infrastructure and response capabilities, with comprehensive plans for various disaster scenarios and strong community partnerships.

A listener was wondering why beer at the local pubs here in Antigonish is so expensive, so we sat down with Bryan Druhan of Candid Brewing Company to ask him not just about beer prices, but drinking culture in Antigonish. The short answer: prices in Antigonish for craft beer are actually cheaper than they could be, and less expensive than you’ll see in cities like Halifax. Everything from the tariffs on aluminum to the war in Ukraine have affected commodity prices that have impacted local breweries. We also asked Bryan about student drinking culture here in Antigonish, changes to people’s pub-visiting and drinking behaviour, and the alcohol consumption warning labels that Candid has put on its beer.

We sat down with Colleen Cameron, chair of the Antigonish Affordable Housing Society to ask her what’s up with those new affordable housing units on Appleseed Drive. And what is affordable housing exactly? How does it work and who is allowed to rent the units? Colleen gives us all the answers, and valuable insight into the housing crisis.

Link to learn more or donate to the society:

https://www.antigonishaffordablehousing.ca/

Summary of the main points from the interview (auto-generated):

New Development Details

* 17 new units opening August 1st (with 4 units delayed until August 15th)

* Located across from elementary and junior schools

* Connected to existing Appleseed Court Phase One (12 units)

* 120 applications received for just 17 units, showing massive demand

* This brings their total to 45 units over 10 years

What is Affordable Housing?

Two definitions of "affordable":

* Personal affordability: Housing costs should not exceed 30% of total household income

* Unit classification: Rent must be below 80% of median market rent in the area

Funding structure:

* Federal funding through CMHC (Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

* Not grants but 40-50 year mortgages at low interest rates

* Units must generate income to pay back the mortgage

Income Caps and Rent Structure

Maximum household incomes to qualify:

* One bedroom: $62,500

* Two bedroom: $73,500

* Three bedroom: $84,000

Rent ranges:

* Two-bedroom units: $838-920 (all-inclusive: utilities, snow removal, maintenance)

* Significantly below market rates (market rate example given was $1,550 for a two-bedroom house)

Financial Challenges

"It doesn't work" financially:

* Rental income doesn't cover all operational costs (mortgage, maintenance, taxes, utilities)

* Organization relies heavily on fundraising and donations to bridge gaps

* Community navigator position (75% navigator, 25% property manager) must be funded through donations

* Chair Colleen Cameron spends approximately 30 hours per week volunteering

* Government has refused requests for funding executive director or staff positions

Tenant Demographics

Diverse resident population:

* Ages range from 6 months to 90 years old

* Single mothers, two-parent families, young unattached males, seniors

* People with physical and mental disabilities

* Mix of working professionals and those receiving rent subsidies

* Many tenants still pay more than 30% of income on housing despite "affordable" rates

Housing Continuum Context

Affordable housing sits between public/social housing and market-rate housing on the housing continuum: Homeless → Transition housing → Shelters → Public housing → Affordable housing → Market rent

Future Plans

Sugarloaf Development:

* Planning 50-55 new units on donated Dr. Hendricks property

* Will include 1-4 bedroom units

* Economy of scale expected to improve financial sustainability

* Considering mixed-income model with some market-rate units to cross-subsidize affordable ones

Government and Community Support

Municipal relationships:

* Strong support from both town and county councils

* Financial contributions for each of their four builds

* Council members have served on the organization's board

Systemic issues identified:

* Federal government stopped investing in public housing 30 years ago

* Current system pushes responsibility from federal → provincial → municipal → volunteers

* Process for developers to access affordable housing funding is overly complicated

Public Misconceptions

* Affordable housing often confused with public housing

* Residents include working professionals, not just lowest-income individuals

* Mixed-income community is intentional and beneficial

Broader Housing Crisis Context

* 25% of Antigonish residents are over 65, many seeking smaller accommodations closer to town

* Food insecurity has grown significantly alongside housing affordability issues

* Low turnover in affordable units due to dramatic rent differences with market housing

* Current model may inadvertently discourage income growth to maintain housing eligibility

Anuj and Justin reflect on the past 13 episodes of the podcast and reveal which episodes received the most listens. We discuss our long list of ideas for future episode, and provide our top 3 most important lessons learned since launching the podcast. We invite our listeners to fill out this poll letting us know which episode subject ideas interest you the most:

https://form.jotform.com/251993330982263

As always, thanks for your support!

-Anuj and Justin

We sat down with electric car owner and EV aficionado Allan Briggs to figure out if it’s worth owning an electric vehicle as your only car here in Antigonish. The short answer: it’s certainly possible, but it depends on how far you need to travel. For everyday use here in town, Allan says electric cars are fantastic. But if you’re taking regular trips to far flung destinations, you have to plan a lot more to use your electric car, which could be a dealbreaker for some. But, there are positive changes coming to both battery technology and the charging station infrastructure here in Nova Scotia, so it will be getting easier and more worthwhile to own an EV going forward. So an EV might well be for you! But have a listen to Allan to hear about the pros and cons.

Andrew Murray explains what’s happening to the old capitol theatre/Cineplex building on Main Street that seems to have been under construction for a million years. The answer: it will be a smokehouse restaurant and apartments! Hopefully opening in a little over a year. Andrew gives us the details, and answers all our questions about what’s happening on Main Street these days.

The town of Antigonish has approved a rather large tax rate increase to residential property; around 15%. That’s pretty darn high. We sat down with Mayor Sean Cameron to ask why this increase was necessary. The short answer: it’s helping to fund a 22 million dollar investment in long-term infrastructure improvements in the town, including major road works and sewer and water system upgrades. But it’s a complicated story, and we dive into a discussion not just on the new budget, but the need for cooperation between town and county when it comes to paying for these upgrades, as well as the need for collaboration between town and county (and the province) as the town expands.

Click here for more info on the budget and the rate increase via the Town’s website.