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2026-2030
Strategic Plan
Municipality of the
District of Shelburne
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
MODS
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
A Message From
The Warden
On behalf of the Council of the Municipality of the
District of Shelburne, I am pleased to share our
new Strategic Plan, which will guide Council's
direction over the next four years.
This plan provides a clear framework to help us
remain focused on deliverables that fall within the
municipal mandate while ensuring we are better
prepared for the unexpected.
It positions us to make meaningful progress on
the issues that matter most: strengthening and
supporting sustainable economic development,
enhancing responsible governance, fostering a
vibrant and inclusive community, delivering
services efficiently and effectively and helping to
create a quality of life we all desire.
I extend my sincere thanks to Council, staff, and
the community for their thoughtful contributions
and commitment throughout this process. This
collective effort reflects our shared belief that
the Municipality can thrive when we plan
intentionally and work together toward common
goals.
Sincerely,
Warden Penny Smith
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Strategic Plan 2025-2029
MODS
Core Services
The Strategic Pillars, Priorities, and Objectives outlined in this Strategic Plan are in
addition to, and reliant on, the core services provided by the Municipality, as described
below:
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Corporate & Administrative
Services: Overseeing
municipal governance,
strategic leadership, access
to information, customer
service forms and service-
request management.
Financial Services:
Responsible for taxation,
revenue collection, financial
reporting, budgeting,
forecasting and long-term
fiscal planning.
Economic & Community
Development: Land-use
planning, property & housing
development facilitation,
business support, and
attraction of diversified,
sustainable growth.
Operations: Including
operation and maintenance of
existing infrastructure, waste
management, bylaw
enforcement and building
inspection.
Recreation Services:
Programming, facility and trail
maintenance, and community
recreation services.
Protection Services:
Occupational health & safety,
fire protection, policing
liaison, emergency
management and disaster
resilience.
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
Vision
A thriving community that preserves its coastal character and natural beauty while
promoting sustainable growth, green energy, and local industries that create
opportunities for all residents.
MODS
Mission
Deliver services guided by responsible stewardship to promote sustainable growth.
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
Approach
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Developing a meaningful and actionable strategic plan requires a strong foundation of
evidence, collaboration, and community insight. Over the past year, the Municipality has
undertaken a series of deliberate steps to ensure this plan reflects both organizational
realities and community priorities. Together, these efforts have created a comprehensive
and informed roadmap that aligns municipal capacity, community vision, and long-term
sustainability.
Work Completed:
Strategic Planning Project Mapping: Collaborated with
council and staff to define the scope, objectives, and
requirements of the strategic planning initiative.
Pre-Engagements: Held targeted sessions with council,
municipal staff, and community groups to shape the
Engagement Plan.
Community Engagements: Gather insights and
perspectives from community members through surveys,
youth photos and drawings, and in-person community
sessions. Residents can review findings in the What We
Heard report available on the website.
Strategic Plan Workshops: Presenting the draft strategic
plan to staff, council members, and the public at various
stages to gather feedback.
Data Points
The strategic plan is grounded in the organizational capacity (e.g., budget, human
resources) and informed by:
→ Input from residents, council, and municipal staff;
→ Influencing external factors and local context, relevant federal and provincial strategies;
→ Leading practices.
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
Approach
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This plan sets out the municipality's strategic pillars, priorities, and objectives, shaped
through engagement with residents, council, staff, and consideration of provincial,
federal, and neighbouring municipal strategies. At this stage, it defines direction rather
than detailing specific activities. The next phase, led by council and staff, will focus on
implementation - developing actions, allocating resources, and establishing key
performance indicators (KPIs). This work will be integrated into the municipal budgeting
process annually to ensure transparency, alignment, and effective prioritization.
As actions are identified for the coming years, the community will be invited to provide
feedback, keeping public input central as the plan moves from vision to execution. This
document is therefore a strategic foundation, with detailed initiatives, timelines, and
measures to follow in the implementation phase.
Listening to residents, businesses,
council, and staff to understand our
current state, challenges, and
hopes for the future.
1. Research & Engagements
Defining the pillars, priorities, and
objectives that will guide the
municipality over the next four
years.
2. Strategic Planning
Identifying the programs,
services, and policies needed
to achieve our objectives, and
aligning them with available
resources.
3. Actions & Resourcing
Establishing clear, measurable
benchmarks to track progress and
ensure transparency.
4. KPI Development
Implementing and continuing
the services and programs
designed to achieve the
objectives set out in the
strategic plan.
5. Implementation
The municipality's Strategic Plan was built through a step-by-step process designed to
reflect community needs and ensure accountability:
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
Understanding the
Strategic Plan
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Key Features
Pillars: Five core elements of community that organize
our areas of focus.
Priorities: Specific themes under each pillar (2-5 per
pillar) identified through research and engagement to
guide goal-setting.
Objectives: Objectives are the specific results the
municipality aims to achieve within each priority area.
Objectives are set before actions to ensure clarity of
purpose.
Actions: Tangible programs, services, policies, and
practices that move us toward our objectives.
Resourcing: Ensuring the municipality has the financial
and staff capacity to deliver on actions, while making
thoughtful decisions about feasibility.
Key performance Indicator (KPI): a measurable value
that shows how well the municipality is progressing
toward an objective.
Pillar 1: Environment
Priority 1.1. Climate Initiatives
Objective
A. Update Climate Action Plan and map activities for implementation.
Action 1: Update the Coastal Management Strategy and identify priority education,
planning, and policy measures to address coastal vulnerability.
Resourcing: Assign staff time and $X for drafting updated coastal policies .
KPI: New coastal-related policy adopted by end of year two.
EXAMPLE ONLY
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
MODS
Strategic Pillars
Pillar 1: Environment
1.1 Climate Initiatives
1.2 Renewable Energy
1.3 Emergency Management
Pillar 2: Community
2.1 Community Pride
2.2 Accessibility & Inclusion
2.3 Community Resiliency
Pillar 4: Infrastructure
4.1 Maintenance
4.2 Planning & Development
Pillar 3: Economy
3.1 Economic Diversity
3.2 Housing Development
3.3 Workforce Development
Pillar 5: Governance
5.1 Sustainable Fiscal Management
5.2 Relationship Building
5.3 Explore Municipal Restructuring
5.4 Operational Efficiencies
The pillars outlined in this plan are deeply interconnected and many priorities could
easily fit under two or more areas. This overlap reflects the reality that communities
don't operate in silos, and neither should our strategic priorities. As such, these pillars
are not listed in order of importance, as they are deeply connected and equally
essential to the Municipality's success.
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
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Pillar 1:
Environment
Climate Initiatives
Objectives
A. Update Climate Action Plan and map activities for implementation
B. Explore energy efficient programs and incentives with direct benefits for both for
the municipality and for residents
Renewable Energy
Objectives
A. Engage with NS Power to identify opportunities and challenges with existing power
grid
B. Market our community to renewable energy companies for partnership and
development
Emergency Management
Objectives
A. Create a plan to modernize the Municipal Fire Services to increase efficiency and
effectiveness
B. Work with regional partners to create a robust Regional Emergency Management
Organization (REMO), to become more responsive to environmental threats
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
MODS
Pillar 2:
Community
Community Pride
Objectives
A. Promote and support multi-generational social and recreational opportunities
B. Host signature events that promote inclusivity and encourage shoulder season
tourism
C. Enhance visibility of community assets through targeted marketing to drive
attraction and participation
Accessibility and Inclusion
Objectives
A. Establish a plan to operationalize the Accessibility Plan
B. Map key activities to implement the Equity and Anti-Racism Plan
Community Resiliency
Objectives
A. Advocate for local healthcare services and promote workforce attraction
B. Advocate for community safety by collaborating with local RCMP and reviewing by-
laws for effectiveness
C. Foster partnerships and build community capacity to address risks of
homelessness
D. Sustain and expand food and water security partnerships
E. Identify strategic community partnerships to prioritize funding
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
MODS
Pillar 3:
Economy
Economic Diversity
Objectives
A. Identify and assess under-utilized or previously developed sites within the
municipality that could be revitalized to support community growth and development
B. Prepare and market municipal properties to attract investment through mapping,
reviews, and targeted consulting
C. Position the municipality as a business-friendly community through marketing and
collaboration
Housing Development
Objectives
A. Develop a Community Improvement Plan to support housing development through
various planning tools and financial incentives
B. Conduct a housing needs assessment to support decision making and guide land-
use planning
Workforce Development
Objectives
A. Work with local employers/organizations to establish educational partnerships and
grants for emerging and high-need industries
B. Conduct a workforce and community needs assessment to determine how to best
support recruitment and retention of working professionals
C. Work with strategic partners to expand cellphone/broadband and technology
infrastructure that enables remote and hybrid work
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
4.1.
4.2.
MODS
Pillar 4:
Infrastructure
Maintenance
Objectives
A. Assess needs and develop a maintenance plan to ensure sustainability and
longevity of essential amenities
B. Determine capital, maintenance, and operational costs for recreational and
essential infrastructure
Planning and Development
Objectives
A. Conduct a needs assessment to identify gaps in recreation facilities (parks, trails,
amenities)
B. Perform a feasibility study to assess possibility of a new multi-purpose community
recreation facility
C. Undergo built-infrastructure upgrades, including new developments and retrofits
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
5.1.
5.2.
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Pillar 5:
Governance
Sustainable Fiscal Management
Objectives
A. Employ sustainable fiscal management practices
B. Maintain and update economic models to inform budget discussions
Relationship Building
Objectives
A. Promote accountability and trust by publicly reporting on progress toward key
goals established in this plan
B. Increase opportunities for meaningful collaboration and partnerships with local
organizations on shared initiatives
C. Maintain a consistent municipal voice in advocating for community priorities that
fall outside the municipality's direct jurisdiction, and educate residents on government
roles
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5.3.
Municipal Restructuring
Objectives
A. Undertake a feasibility review with neighbouring municipalities to evaluate
potential benefits, costs, and governance implications of amalgamation
B. Collaborate with nearby municipalities to identify shared service opportunities and
assess the potential structure and function of a joint services board
Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
5.4.
MODS
Pillar 5:
Governance
Operational Efficiencies
Objectives
A. Evaluate staffing needs to ensure capacity for managing the volume and
complexity of new projects and programs.
B. Continue to utilize contractors/consultants to fill gaps and ensure service
efficiency
C. Explore possibility to make operations more efficient for the benefit of residents
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030
Updates and next steps will be shared on our website and other
platforms. Please feel free to contact the Municipality at:
Thank You
414 Woodlawn Drive, PO Box 280,
Shelburne, NS, B0T 1W0
(902) 875-3544
https://www.municipalityofshelburne.ca
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Prepared by: Davis Pier Consulting
Strategic Plan 2026 - 2030