In This Issue
A couple of important things came in while I was sending Friday’s newsletter and I wanted to get them out to you right away. This short issue contains info about public engagement opportunities for the New Ronald McDonald House information meeting, the provinces Climate Change Plan public engagement, Call for Artists for an African NS interpretive panel, and a new website for exploring current and proposed heritage conservation districts on the peninsula.
Roadworks contains info about Summer Street by the museum becoming one way starting today for three weeks. Coronavirus Update #47 has an update on NS Pension rules. This issue ends with info on how to reach out and get help on municipal issues.
Public Meetings, Hearings & Engagement
New Ronald McDonald House Information For the Public
Tuesday, June 22nd, 7-8pm
You’re invited to join MP Andy Fillmore, Councillor Waye Mason, and representatives from RMHC Atlantic for an information session on Tuesday, June 22nd (7-8pm) to learn more about our plans for a new Ronald McDonald House being built on South Street in Halifax, across from the Emergency Entrance of the IWK Health Centre. We look forward to sharing renderings of the new space, in addition to our plans as they relate to the construction of the building. We encourage all of those interested to attend and to bring your questions. Please RSVP to rsvp@rmhcatlantic.ca to confirm your attendance and to receive a link to our virtual meeting.
Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth – Provincial Public Engagement | Ends July 26
You can help shape the province’s Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth and goals to fight climate change under Nova Scotia’s Sustainable Development Goals Act. The Sustainable Development Goals Act was established in 2019 to advance our province’s economic, social, and environmental wellbeing. The provincial government wants to hear from as many Nova Scotians as possible – your ideas and visions on these important topics will help form the government’s direction on this Act.
Public engagement on this important topic is open until July 26! How to participate:
• Attend a virtual workshop: https://cleanfuture.ca/#publicworkshops
• Submit your own ideas: https://cleanfuture.ca/#writtensubmissions
• Answer survey questions: https://cleanfuture.ca/#formsubmissions
• Community groups can also host virtual workshops! https://cleanfuture.ca/#diyworkshops
Call for Artists: African N.S. Interpretive Panel African Methodist Episcopal Church site | June 30 deadline for expression of interest, Deadline July 12
The Halifax Regional Municipality is looking for an artist from the African Nova Scotian community to assist in the development of an interpretive panel on the corner of Gottingen and Falkland Streets, formerly known as Squiggle Park. The interpretive panel is to reflect on the former use of the site as the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEZ) and the importance of the church and spirituality in the African Nova Scotian Community. The municipality would like to include an artistic rendering of the AMEZ church, and is looking for an artist who will work with the municipality and the African Nova Scotian community to create a meaningful design. More info here: https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/arts-culture-heritage/opportunities-artists-halifax
Explore the proposed Downtown Halifax Historic Districts online
Pleased to announce the launch of the revamped Downtown Halifax Historic Districts Web Application using the new storyboard format, providing a photo, map location, and text about the architecture and history of a selection of historic properties in Downtown Halifax. All of this information is drawn from inventory sheets attached to the HCD Plans. Most of this research is already available to the public.
It includes the three existing HCDs - Barrington Street, Old South Suburb, and Schmidtville - and adds the new proposed boundary for the Capital Area and presents an additional 22 properties in this area for a total of about 75 properties listed.
See https://www.halifax.ca/home-property/heritage-properties/downtown-halifax-historic-neighbourhoods
Roadworks Update
On Monday morning, June 14th at 6am, Summer Street between Bell Road and Veterans Memorial Lane will be changing to “ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND ONLY” for approximately 3 weeks. This is for the QE2 Redevelopment Project.
Work details: Work within the street is required to facilitate the construction of a parkade for the Halifax Infirmary including installation of underground services by the Province of Nova Scotia.
Halifax Transit will have northbound buses detouring left onto Veterans Memorial Lane to bypass work site.
Coronavirus Update #47 – NS Pension Benefits Act update
Amendments to the NS Pension Benefits Act [June 9, 2021] – Province of Nova Scotia
The province has introduced amendments to the Pension Benefits Act and regulations which seek to respond to the financial challenges created by the pandemic by streamlining the process for Nova Scotians to access funds in locked-in retirement accounts. Under the changes, a person may be approved to unlock a portion of their retirement account funds due to:
- financial hardship if they expect less than $41,067 in income over the next 12 months;
- if they are in default on their mortgage or rent and face possible eviction; or
- for medical or dental expenses.
The 2021 maximum withdrawal is $30,800 minus 75 per cent of the applicant’s anticipated total income for the 12-month period. There is no limit on how much may be removed for default on a mortgage or rent or for medical or dental expenses. The $116.65 government fee to process applications is also being eliminated. The changes come into effect July 1, 2021. Source.
How can we help?
311 – HRM’s Call Centre
HRM’s call centre is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to respond to routine inquiries and complaints from HRM residents. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.) For more information please visit http://www.halifax.ca/311/
Call my office
Call my office for assistance with your municipal issues. Please have your 311 reference number ready. You can reach my Coordinator Liam MacSween during the business day, his phone number is 902-490-2012 and his email is macswel@Halifax.CA
Reach out to me
I’m always available to help residents. Email is always better than a phone call, as I am often in meetings and much of the time I cannot answer the phone. If Liam or 311 cannot assist you, please email me at waye.mason@halifax.ca or call 902.430.7822
