On June 3rd, 2025, during a special council meeting, Antigonish Town Council approved a balanced 2025-2026 municipal budget, which includes revenue of $16,534,588, delivering $22 million in capital projects. This year’s budget introduces a $0.17 increase in the residential tax rate and a $0.25 increase in the commercial rate.
Council recognizes that any tax increase impacts the cost of living for residents. This decision was not made lightly. Residents have been vocal about the need to improve the Town’s infrastructure from sewer to roads. Doing so requires significant investment which necessitates these tax increases. We must invest today for tomorrow and not let the next generation pay our debts.
“This year’s budget is about more than numbers. It’s about protecting the services our residents rely on and making smart investments in the future of our Town,” says Mayor Sean Cameron. “We made a difficult decision, but one grounded in responsible leadership and long-term vision.”
Faced with rising inflation, service delivery costs, and a $115,000 increase in the provincially mandated Education Transfer, Council focused on maintaining core operations while maximizing the impact of every tax dollar through strong external funding partnerships for investments in water, sewer, electric utility, and roads.
Key capital priorities for 2025–2026 include upgrades to aging water and sewer infrastructure on West and James Streets, supported by Town investment of $1.41 million and pending $2.71 million in provincial funding. Bay Street will be fully rebuilt to replace century old water and sewer lines, Active Transportation trail, and flood mitigation, backed by $1.52 million in Town contributions, and $3.39 million in secured funding and $547,000 in potential federal contribution. The Sewer Treatment Plant will undergo $5.4 million in front-end upgrades, with 50% of funding secured and an additional $900,000 support from the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. In addition to these infrastructure investments, the Town is placing a significant focus on reliability and resilience through grid modernization in the electric utility sector, reflecting a substantial $5.79 million commitment to improving long-term service stability and reliability.
Building on these major initiatives, the Town is also advancing several projects aimed at enhancing day-to-day operations and Town services. A new accessible sidewalk is planned for Greening Drive, and new source water test wells will be installed through the Housing Accelerator Fund initiative, in partnership with the County. Additional investments include the purchase of key equipment, such as a front-end loader and salt truck. A dedicated sidewalk crew will also be established to work alongside the Town’s Public Works to complete infrastructure work more cost-effectively than outsourcing. The Town will also be investing in the modernization of internal systems to improve human resources, safety, and time tracking.
“While these are big investments, the reality is that deferring them would only increase the cost to taxpayers in the future,” says Mayor Cameron. “This budget allows us to move forward responsibly and sustainably with support from federal and provincial partners contributing up to $8.7 million.”
To support residents facing financial hardship, the Town has expanded the eligibility for the Low-Income Property Tax Exemption. The income threshold has been increased from $28,510 to $35,000, and the exemption has shifted from a flat rate of $450 to a tiered range between $250 and $750, providing more targeted relief.
Even with the increase, the Town of Antigonish continues to have one of the lowest residential tax rates among towns in Nova Scotia. The new tax rates are $1.30 per $100 of capped assessment for residential properties and $2.90 per $100 for commercial.
“This budget reflects what’s possible when we work together,” says Mayor Cameron. “Through strong partnerships and careful planning, we’re turning every town dollar into broader impact.”
For more information, please visit the 2025-2026 Municipal Budget page.
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