municipality

The Municipality of Argyle has published a report saying they met every legal obligation when creating pre-approved aquaculture development areas.

The report was prepared by Rick Dunlop, a lawyer based out of Halifax.

In 2019, the Municipality of Argyle began working on a process to pre-approve aquaculture development areas (ADA) to make it easier to attract business in the area.

In a 2022 post on the Municipality’s Facebook page, they say “the primary goal of this ADA is to remove some of the burden placed on investors by simplifying the application process in specific areas. Our role in this process is to inform the public of the project and to gather feedback”.

What was once praised as a quick and efficient way to bring developers to the area soon prompted backlash from some community members.

The Association from Responsible Aquaculture in Argyle (ARA) has been an outspoken opponent to the development areas proposed by the municipality.

The group put forward a list of sixteen conflict of interest allegations, including providing insider access, discouraging public consultation and fabricating data.

In a previous interview with Acadia News, ARA spokesperson Chris Thibideau said he isn’t against aquaculture development, but that it has to be done away from people’s property.

“Most government programs invoke public consultation at the beginning, during the process and at the end. And in this case, it’s only at the end. Many in the community feel it’s too late,” said Thibedeau last year.

At a council meeting on June 25, 2026, Warden Nicole Albright read through an Ombudsman report that found the Municipality “met or exceeded” its duty to consult the public about the development area.

Now, the latest report aims to alleviate any community members of their conflict of interest concerns.

The ARA have said they are taking the time to read “the legal opinion the Municipality commissioned with taxpayer money”, and that they will respond at a later date with their own findings and a press release.

In their own statement, the Municipality says although they did pay for the lawyer to create the report, using an outside, certified legal professional is “the established, responsible standard for municipal risk management and governance”.

They say their process guarantees total independence because of the lawyers professional and ethical binding under the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, the autonomy they allowed during the investigation and the government’s ability to filter fact from grievance.

“Our goal throughout the six-year ADA process has always been to support the province in building a system that supports local sustainable economic growth,” said Deputy Warden Ted Saulnier. “We welcome the Ombudsman’s feedback and are already actively implementing suggestions to enhance our public engagement policies.”

The full report is available to read here.