In This Issue
My Council Update is the election and housing, Halifax Common pool, Downtown Halifax Heritage conservation district, and vacation.
Public Meetings and Hearing has the remaining meetings for the summer. Roadworks has two updates. Community Events is starting to fill up! This issue ends with info on how to reach out and get help on municipal issues.
Councillor Update
Ah, the provincial election! Last week I watched the Provincial election leader’s debate and it was great they talked about housing, but that format doesn’t really allow any depth to the answers. We have immediate and urgent needs in HRM which need to be addressed in days and months, not years, and I didn’t hear any answers to that issue.
So, I wrote the three leaders a letter with five questions about housing. When I get the responses, I will do a blog about it end of next week.
If you need info about how to vote, who is running, etc, I did a blog post about it.
Sadly Halifax Commons Pool won’t open this year. There are safety concerns with the integrity of the pool, and it will not be opening this summer. With any luck, once the required repairs to the pool are completed, it may open next summer and would be able to bridge the time until the new Common’s Aquatic Centre opens.
HRM has been able to secure free aquatic opportunities for everyone to enjoy, they are:
Needham Pool
July 26 – September 3
- Monday – Friday: 2:00 – 300pm, 3:00 – 4:00pm, 5:00 – 6:00pm
- Sunday: 10:30 – 11:30am and 2:00 – 3:00pm
In partnership with the YMCA, Greater Halifax – 5640 Sackville Street
- Monday August 2 – 12:30 – 2:00pm
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: August 4 – September 3 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm
HRM Planning & Development wants to hear from you about the proposed Downtown Halifax Heritage Conservation District. Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this by visiting the website, learn about the proposed Downtown Halifax Heritage Conservation District, complete a survey, and share ideas. http://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/downtown-halifax-heritage
Lastly, I am taking two weeks off and I will be out of the office from August 8-22. I will check in to do a blog on the leader’s responses and to participate in the August 17 Council meeting. Looking forward to a good long break! While I am away, Liam will be happy to help you, his contact info is at the bottom of this newsletter.
Public Meetings, Hearings & Engagement
Public hearings are published 2-3 weeks before they take place and a list of upcoming hearings can be found here: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/public-hearings
Halifax Regional Council – virtual meetings
If you want to read reports coming to Regional Council (posted mid-day Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting) or to check the agenda. Upcoming meetings:
- Tuesday, August 17 at 10:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m.
Agendas here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=127
Halifax & West Community Council – virtual meetings
Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.
- August 25, 6pm
- September 7, 6pm
Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140
Regional Centre Community Council – virtual meetings
Community Council meets on monthly when needed regarding issues and appeals arising from the Centre Plan. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.
- No meeting is scheduled for August.
Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/regional-centre-community-council
Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Council
Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to Council on planning proposals for the three districts on the peninsula. Upcoming meetings:
- August 23 4:30pm
Please check the webpage for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-peninsula-planning-advisory-committee
Information about how to watch or participate in virtual meetings can be found on the agenda pages. Please confirm meeting dates and times on our website as dates and times are subject to change.
Roadworks Update
The following street closures or sidewalk disruptions have recently been added to the RoadWorks map
- FALKLAND ST from GOTTINGEN ST to CREIGHTON ST, starting on 2021-07-
- BRUNSWICK ST from CARMICHAEL ST to PRINCE ST, starting on 2021-07-21
You can find out road closure details on the HRM Roadworks map:
https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/streets-sidewalks/RoadWorks
Other Major Projects:
South Street Bridge Rehabilitation Proposed Project – Canadian National Railway (CN) and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are proceeding with bridge and roadway rehabilitation work on the arch bridge structure at South Street in 2021. The work will involve a major rehabilitation of the structure and reinstatement of the roadway. A detour route comprised of Beaufort Avenue, Oakland Road, and Rockcliffe Street will provide access to the South Street neighbourhood during construction. Contact the CN Public Inquiry Line at 1-888-888-5909 or at contact@cn.ca if you have any questions.
Community Events
Raffle 2021 – Win a Trip for Two to Sable Island (by helicopter)
The deadline for purchasing tickets is midnight, August 31st | Online
As of this writing, there are only 26 tickets left – so if you want to buy a ticket, do so before they run out! Tickets are $50 (with a maximum of 400 tickets sold). Due to NS lottery regulations, tickets can only be sold/purchased in Nova Scotia. The draw will be held on Thursday September 2nd on the Halifax Waterfront at the Acadian Monument, Tall Ships Quay, and we hope to live stream the event on Facebook (follow us on Facebook for details). The trip takes place on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 (with October 7 as the backup date). There is also a 2nd prize of $1,000 and the 3rd prize of $500. This is a fundraiser for the Sable Island Institute – more info here https://sableislandinstitute.org/win-a-trip-for-two-to-sable-island/
Cunard Block Engagement
to end September | Pop-Ups and Online
A little work for more play. We’d like to know what you’d like to experience at the new CUNARD public spaces on the waterfront — it’s shaping up to be a playful space with and for people of all ages. Designed with and for people with disabilities too. Don’t hide, we’re seeking your ideas. Pop by July – September on the Halifax Waterfront and share your thoughts on how you’d like to play at the new CUNARD public spaces. The only limit is your own imagination. More info here https://developns.ca/cunard-engagements/ You can also complete our online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q8ZGFVS
Patio Lanterns Festival
July 15 – October 11, 2021 | Pop-up stages and local businesses across Nova Scotia
It’s patio season! Halifax and Nova Scotia’s local businesses are lighting up this summer and fall with live music, food and drink specials, summer décor, fun activities, and more patio magic for the brand new Patio Lanterns Festival!
https://discoverhalifaxns.com/patiolanternsfestival/
2021 Halifax Pride Festival
August 12-22 | Various Locations
Halifax Pride believes that one of the best ways we can support our 2SLGBTQ+ community at this time of uncertainty is to deliver a safe and accessible festival. After hosting the 2020 festival with both in-person and online events, we are confident in our ability to adapt and adhere to current public health guidelines while still bringing you unforgettable events and experiences. While it is unfortunate that large-scale events like the parade will not be possible, our festival has always been more than just a parade. Our collaborative community festival will feature small-scale, daily, in-person live events on our Festival Site (the Garrison Grounds), showcasing a wide range of local talent. Our online program will provide a variety of entertaining and educational opportunities, including performances from our Festival Site. We also welcome the return of our Beverage Garden, a Community Market, Two-Spirit Space, and a Health & Wellness Area – all in accordance with public health guidelines.
https://www.halifaxpride.com/
DCAF 2021
Sunday August 15 | Alderney Landing
Dartmouth Comic Arts Festival – DCAF! Cartoonists, illustrators and comic books! Free admission! Held annually at the Alderney Landing Market in downtown Dartmouth!
East Coast Kite Festival 2021 – 5th Annual
22-22 August | Citadel Hill
Come and Enjoy the Fifth annual kite festival at Citadel Hill on August 21 & 22. It’s a Non-alcoholic, Family and Kids friendly event with FREE ENTRY. Come and enjoy your weekend with kites at Citadel Hill.
- What to Expect at the event :
- Display of big inflatable & small kites over two days by Atlantic Kite Festival Society volunteers and kite fliers.
- Food trucks and Food Vendors.
- Over 50 types of kites for purchase or rent to fly. Our smallest kite is 24*24cm and the biggest kite has 50 feet in diameter.
Come and see various kites like Ring, Frog, Panda, Bear, Octopus, Jellyfish, Cat, Tiger, Flower, Duck, Gold Fish, Whale, Heart, Turtle, Rainbow and many more.
https://www.facebook.com/East-Coast-Kite-Festival-2021-103331145352546/
Smash Out Hunger Softball Tournament
Saturday August 28 | Halifax Common
Super excited to announce the third annual Smash Out Hunger softball tournament. The tournament will be held on August 28. 300$ per team and one usable hotdot. SPN rules and guaranteed three games. There will be a BBQ on site, 50/50, and a raffle! All money going back to help those staying at Metro Turning Point.
https://www.shelternovascotia.com/smash-out-hunger-event
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