District 7 Update – Hurricane Lee, homeless tenting report, Common trees, Wanderers Grounds, and more

In this issue

My Council Update includes info on Hurricane Lee, homeless tenting report, Common trees, Wanderers Grounds, and more

Public Engagement section shows upcoming Council meetings, and info Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment community engagement, and more regional plan review info. Roadworks continues to amaze with the amount of work going on. Community Events & Information has a lot of great events, Good Grief Nova Scotia, Afterwards festival, and many other events.

Councillor Update

Good morning,

I am writing today to update you on a couple of things in the community but primarily to encourage you to take some time to prepare for strong weather this week. Hurricane Lee is currently tracking toward Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Hurricane Centre believes it will arrive as a weak hurricane or strong tropical storm. Their statement follows.

This is the first official CHC information statement on Hurricane Lee.

The next information statement will be issued by 3 p.m. ADT Tuesday.

Lee could impact weather in Atlantic Canada this weekend as it moves northward from the tropics. This initial bulletin is anchored to the offshore marine district south of Nova Scotia where the circulation of Lee would encroach upon first.

We are starting to get a better idea of how the weather will evolve this week over Atlantic Canada and the role Hurricane Lee may play. Once the hurricane makes a northward turn by late Wednesday it will further enhance the tropical airmass over Atlantic Canada. It will also have the effect of slowing the progress of a front which could increase the risk of heavy rainfall over the Maritime provinces during the latter part of the week.

We expect Lee’s circulation to broaden significantly as it moves north later this week and there are no indicators at this time that the storm will be re-invigorated through merging with non-tropical weather systems. Also it is possible the forward motion of the storm could slow which would permit further weakening over cooler waters before affecting land. Given these factors, the storm would approach the region as a weak hurricane or strong tropical storm. The range of track possibilities is very broad this far ahead in time, ranging from somewhere in Maine to the southeast of Nova Scotia.

With the expanding size of the hurricane and a long trajectory northward, building surf conditions and rip currents are expected along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia this week and particularly on Friday. – https://weather.gc.ca/hurricane/statements_e.html

Currently Lee is projected to arrive Saturday and Sunday, so we have some to prepare.

It is important to be prepared for this storm. Our province is still recovering from damage from Fiona. The repairs from the floods of this summer are still underway, and the ground is still soft from so much rain. The many hillsides cleared of trees by fire are now at risk of mudslides. All of this combines to mean a tropical storm or hurricane could be even more damaging that normal.

If you have not done so already, consider creating an emergency bag, and prepare for power outages. The province of Nova Scotia has some excellent resources regarding preparing here: https://novascotia.ca/emergency-education/

During an emergency halifax.ca will have regular updates, though they will often be summaries posted every couple of hours.

For a practical guide to personal preparedness that was crowd sourced from District 7 residents (tips like “make sure you did laundry before the storm hits) see this post from prepping for Fiona last year – https://wayemason.ca/2022/09/20/hurricane-post-tropical-storm-fiona-update-1/

To keep up to date on current and future issues please sign up for the municipality’s mass notification system HFXAlert, and install the app on your mobile devices to ensure you receive timely information during an emergency.

You can also follow @hfxgov on Facebook, or @hfxgov on Twitter.

Today Regional Council will debate the proposal to create camping sites for homeless people on the Common, maintainign them in Grand Parade and Victoria Park, and a whole host of other things in support of the homeless strategy. You can read the report here: https://www.halifax.ca/media/83540

I absolutely understand the concerns around tents on the Common and in other parks.

This is not a good short-term solution, but there are no good options for the crisis we face. This is about managing the crisis we are in. Allowing tent encampments is not causing homelessness, it is a symptom of a broken system.

I have been asking residents for the last three years to have compassion for folks living in tents. Right now, there are over 200 people living in tents in Halifax. These citizens have a right to housing and cannot access housing they can afford.

No one wants tents, including most of the people living in them. So why are we allowing them? Because they have no place to go.

From a legal perspective based on some recent Court rulings in Canada, and of course, a moral perspective, everyone removed from a campsite needs to have somewhere to go. Just telling them to move on is not good enough.

Ultimately policing the parks is HRM’s responsibility, but we need to respect the case law and the Courts, but also, we can’t just tell these people to move deeper into the woods, so we just don’t see them. That is not a compassionate solution to this challenge.

So all HRM can do is manage a bad situation and demand a response from the Province, who must provide housing and supports so people can get out of tents and into homes.

I will post my speaking notes after the debate later today.

I’ve also been getting a lot of emails objecting to the potential removal of trees both on the Camp Hill hospital site and on the streets next to it.

I was made aware of this plan by the province by HRM staff about the province’s plan several months ago. I immediately contacted the Friends of the Halifax Common as a courtesy.

Unfortunately, when a tree grows over someone else’s property, the property owner has the right to trim the branches hanging over their property, or dig down on their property for a foundation and damage the roots. HRM does not have the power to deny people the right to do what they want to do on their property.

In this case, the province is proposing to cut the roots of the street trees where they intrude over onto the Province’s hospital lands, and HRM has no legal right to deny them that right. This will result in damaged and unstable street trees that will have to be removed at the Provinces expense.

I have certainly supported HRM staff in trying to get changes to the Province’s design and approach, but so far no luck. Most private developers work very hard to preserve street trees, and I am very disappointed this may occur.

I’d be worried of only one team was using it but that is simply not true.

I also want to emphasize no decision has been made yet on a stadium or bleachers at the Wanderers Grounds.

The owner of the football club is presented at a committee of Council on Thursday with his request. If that becomes something that HRM decides to support, after full consultation, the stands would be largely or exclusively funded for with private sector money, but owned by the municipality, as described in the 1994 Common Plan.

While once within the boundary of the original Halifax Common Grant of 1763, leasing of the Wanderers Grounds by the City of Halifax was enabled by legislation in 1886, effectively modifying the common law on UK style Commons as it relates to the Wanderers Grounds. The use of the Wanderers Grounds is governed by the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, with guidance provided by the 1994 and 2022 Common Master Plans as adopted in principle by Regional Council.

The idea of the Wanderers field continuing as envisioned in the 1994 Halifax Common Plan which includes these two policy recommendations, which will be carried forward in the almost ready to be adopted plan.

Policy 7.2 Private use of city-owned open space for temporary special events will be permitted through Council approval. In giving its permission, Council will be· satisfied that the commercial and private event is for the benefit of the city and that it satisfies all goals, objectives and policies in this plan.

Policy 7.7 The city will encourage joint ventures with private or non-profit groups to develop and operate cultural and recreational facilities on the Common.

Given that almost a dozen other uses rent the field during the year, the space is clearly not privatized for Wanderers FC sole use.

While I respect that some folks feel the Public Gardens, established in 1867, is harmed by having large scale events next door, I do feel the fact that Wanderers started hosting events in 1882, and routinely hosted rugby and baseball games with 10,000 ticket paying visitors, shows that both these types of uses have co-existed for some time.

I want to re-iterate, there is no plan to privatize Wanderers Grounds. The question is what kind of facility is going to be allowed there to support the vision clearly articulated in both the 1994 and 2022 plans for the Common. I wrote more about it here: https://wayemason.ca/2023/06/26/update-on-the-wanderers-block/

That’s all for now! Please be safe, be kind, be patient,

Waye

Public Meetings, Hearings & Engagement

Halifax Regional Council – Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers
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 September 12 1pm
Tuesday September 26 10am

Agendas here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=127

Halifax & West Community Council – Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers
Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings alternating with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.

Wednesday, September 19, 6pm

Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140

Regional Centre Community Council – Harbour East Marine Drive Room, Alderney Landing
Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings alternating with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations, and times.

Wednesday, September 27, 6pm

Agenda here – https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140

Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee & Design Advisory Committee
The Nova Scotia government has suspended the meeting of planning advisory committees and most forms of public engagement in planning for three years, ending April 2025.

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.

Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
To improve how we make decisions, understand community vulnerability, mitigate emergency risks and hazards, the Halifax Regional Municipality Emergency Management Division is conducting a Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (HRVA).

The first phase of the HRVA project consists of a series of public engagement sessions that will be held across the municipality to introduce the HRVA process, gather local knowledge on historical hazards and likelihood of reoccurrence as well as to increase overall community awareness and preparedness in the face of emergencies. These public engagement sessions will be held in-person with opportunities to attend sessions in each district. The information residents have to offer about the potential hazards and risks will help guide mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from emergency events at a community level and as a municipality as a whole.

The HRVA process invites all members of the local community, emergency response agencies, and other stakeholders to participate. Residents who are unable to attending their district or community meetings can still participate in the HRVA process by submitting their comments using the following link – https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/hrva

A HRVA community meeting will be held September 11, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Lindsay Room, Halifax Central Library

We aim to reach as many communities as possible by working with communities and community leaders. Further opportunities may be made available for in-person public participation in the HRVA process.

Common Terms in the HRVA Process:

Potential hazards: sources of harm to human health and life, infrastructure, natural environment and social vulnerabilities.
Risks: severity and possibility of impacts.
Vulnerabilities: conditions that may be influenced by physical, social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors which increases impacts of a hazard on a community.
Impacts: identifying potential consequences on individuals, community, businesses, natural, and economic resources

Gorsebrook Rugby Clubhouse/Service Pavilion Engagement
Tuesday September 26, 6-7:30pm | Gorsebrook Park between the playground and the Gorsebrook rugby soccer field.
The Halifax Rugby Football Club (HRFC) is seeking to build a clubhouse at the south end of Gorsebrook Park in Halifax. The planned scope of the project addresses several current needs, including:

change rooms and showers for sports field users, not limited to the rugby club.
Social and meeting space for use by the rugby club and the wider community.
Centralized Public washrooms* for park users, including users of the playground.
A viewing deck for the sports field
Storage for equipment by other sports users of the park

Both the city’s Washroom and Drinking Fountain Strategy and the Gorsebrook Park Plan put a priority on public washrooms in the park. The clubhouse will be operated by HRFC and serve the club and wider community for many years. For more info please visit: https://www.halifaxrugby.ca/clubhouse

Regional Plan Review

To October 27, 2023 | Various Locations
The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to provide feedback on the Draft Regional Plan, both online and through in-person public engagement events. The public engagement period will run until October 27, 2023.

Feedback received will be summarized in a What We Heard report and used to refine key regional policy directions.

The Regional Plan sets out a common vision and long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when and how future growth and development should take place. The Regional Plan was adopted in 2006 and is reviewed approximately every five years to ensure it is reflective of the municipality’s goals for growth and development.

The Draft Regional Plan is responding to the Halifax region’s population growth and need for housing, the need to act on climate and equity, as well as updating policies to reflect Priority Plans.

Residents may submit feedback at any time on the Draft Regional Plan, including any requests for site-specific amendments.

Additional in-person engagement events for the Regional Plan Review have been scheduled and all dates are now posted publicly on the Regional Plan Review Shape Your City page. The list of new dates is provided below.

Staff are also available to meet with interested community and stakeholder groups by request, by emailing regionalplan@halifax.ca or calling 902-943-3248. The Regional Plan Review engagement period runs until October 27, 2023.

Engagement Events

At “Pop-Ups”, staff will be at public places/events with a small table or booth. These events provide an opportunity for residents to meet planners and talk about ideas for their communities.

“Open houses” will be organized meetings where staff invite residents to come to learn more about the Draft Regional Plan and the Suburban Plan process.

Residents who would like to attend an event and require accommodation for accessibility are asked to please contact Planning Staff by emailing regionalplan@halifax.ca or calling 902-943-3248.

Pop-Ups:
Sunnyside Mall, 1595 Bedford Highway, Bedford
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, 10:30 a.m. – to 1:30 p.m.

Alderney Landing Farmers Market, Alderney Gate, Dartmouth
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cole Harbour Place (Centre Court), 51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour
Thursday, September 21, 2023, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Spryfield Farmers Market, 205 Herring Cove Road, Halifax
Sunday, September 24, 2023, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Woodlawn Library, 31 Eisener Boulevard, Dartmouth
Thursday, October 5, 2023, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Open Houses

Acadia Hall, 650 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Canada Games Centre (Boardroom), 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax
Monday, September 25, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Chocolate Lake Recreation Centre (Multipurpose Room), 1014 Purcells Cove Rd, Halifax
Wednesday, October 11, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Bedford Legion (Bingo Hall), 1772 Bedford Highway, Bedford
Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Cole Harbour Place (Harbour Room), 51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Roadworks Update

Projects continue to be started: You can find out road closure details on the HRM Roadworks map:https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/streets-sidewalks/RoadWorks

JENNINGS ST from OXFORD ST to PRESTON ST, starting on 2023-09-16
BEECH ST from NORWOOD ST to JUBILEE RD, starting on 2023-09-16
CEDAR ST from GARDEN ST to WALNUT ST, starting on 2023-09-16
NORTH PARK ST from COGSWELL ST to CUNARD ST, starting on 2023-09-16
ROXTON RD from MARLBOROUGH AVE to GREENWOOD AVE, starting on 2023-09-16
CUNARD ST from NORTH PARK ST to PRINCESS PL, starting on 2023-09-16
COGSWELL ST from ROBIE ST to NORTH PARK ST, starting on 2023-09-16
AGRICOLA ST from NORTH ST to CUNARD ST, starting on 2023-09-17
LARCH ST from JUBILEE RD to PAYZANT AVE, starting on 2023-09-17
GRANVILLE ST from SALTER ST to BLOWERS ST, starting on 2023-09-12
MAYNARD ST from COGSWELL ST to FALKLAND ST, starting on 2023-09-14
SOUTH BLAND ST from INGLIS ST to ATLANTIC ST, starting on 2023-09-11
SPRING GARDEN RD from SOUTH PARK ST to QUEEN ST, starting on 2023-09-05
BRENTON ST from SPRING GARDEN RD to CLYDE ST, starting on 2023-09-05

Cogswell Construction Project
This major construction project, one of the biggest HRM has ever undertaken, is well underway. Construction will take three years. More info can be found here: https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/regional-community-planning/construction-projects/cogswell-district-redevelopment

Jubilee Road CN Bridge – Updated
Canadian National Railways (CN) and Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are proceeding with bridge and roadway rehabilitation work on Jubilee Road in April 2023. The work will include rehabilitation of the arch bridge structure, full replacement of the roadway, railing, and sidewalks as well as work to the water and wastewater services. Construction is planned to last for seven months during which time no pedestrian or vehicular traffic will be permitted.

Updates will also be provided on HRMs webpage at halifax.ca/cnbridgesrehabilitation. If you have any tenants at this address, please forward a copy of this letter for their information.

Please contact CN at 1-888-888-5909 or at contact@cn.ca if you have any questions.

Community Events and Info

Atlantic International Film Festival
September 14 – 21, 2023 | Various locations around HRM
This eight-day festival celebration of film, media and music from around the world transforms Halifax into a mecca for filmmakers, industry types, and film lovers. The festival offers a first-look at the best international films of the festival season, and features a number of daily screenings. For a full event listing of events and screenings, visit https://atlanticfilmfestival.ca/

Bangladesh Festival
September 16-17, 2023 | Halifax Forum Windsor at Young Street.
Bangladesh Festival is a celebration of Bangladeshi Crafts, Culture, Cuisine, Music, and much more, showcasing the distinct and unique contribution of Bangladeshi immigrants in Canadian cosmopolitan mosaic. Building on the success of our Inaugural Festival in 2022, we are looking forward to organizing Bangladesh Festival 2023. The key activities of the festival will include live performances by local and national artists, kiosks by budding local entrepreneurs featuring traditional South Asian food, clothing, jewelry, arts, books, and handicrafts, and live entertainment for kids. By exhibiting the core cultural values and symbols of our community and organization, the event hopes to provide an inspiring and inclusive environment for various communities to learn from and appreciate each other’s heritage. This festival is open to the public, and we believe that visitors will travel from across Canada to experience this event.
https://bcfsociety.ca/

Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association AGM
Tuesday, September 19^th from 5 pm to 7:30pm, Oxford Tap Room
The Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, September 19^th from 5 pm to 7:30pm, upstairs at the Oxford Tap Room. Please hold the date and more details will follow soon. During the AGM we will be nominating new board members to the association’s Board of Directors. If this interests you, please fill out the Nomination Form and return it before Tuesday, September 5th. The form can be e-mailed to Karla@Quinpoolroad.ca or mailed to the address shown on the form. Board members are asked to complete a two-year term with the option to renew. Board meetings take place once a month and will be booked in advance.

Good Grief, Nova Scotia!
September 23-30 | Various Locations
Good Grief, Nova Scotia! is a week-long grief festival to support and nurture grief literacy in communities across the province of Nova Scotia – and beyond! This festival takes place from September 23 to 30, 2023, bringing together citizens from our many overlapping communities to learn and share knowledge, practices, and experiences about grief. Learn more about the virtual and in-person events scheduled by visiting www.goodgriefnovascotia.ca and discover some podcasts that share on this important topic.

change rooms and showers for sports field users, not limited to the rugby club.
Social and meeting space for use by the rugby club and the wider community.
Centralized Public washrooms* for park users, including users of the playground.
A viewing deck for the sports field
Storage for equipment by other sports users of the park

Natural Burial: Dying Sustainably
Wednesday September 27, 2023 6pm | Cathedral Church of All Saints, Cathedral Lane
This session is a part of a week of events from September 23 to 30 designed to support grievers in our communities and to grow grief literacy across Nova Scotia and beyond. To learn more about this initiative visit Good Grief, Nova Scotia at www.goodgriefnovascotia.ca – Speakers include The Reverend Marian Lucas-Jefferies: Environmental Network, Diocese NS & PEI, Louisa Horne, Natural Burial- Sustainable Dying, and The Reverend Canon Dr. Jody Clarke, Atlantic School of Theology, Specialist in Death and Dying
Registration helps us to plan refreshments but walk-ins also welcome https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/natural-burial-dying-sustainably-tickets-695400289987

Halifax Lancers Summer 2023 Public Programming
Various Dates and Locations
The Horses of Halifax love their home in our city and want to spend their summer with YOU! As a non-profit, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience the benefits and joys of horses. Let the horses touch your heart through:

Musical Ride Performances:
Sunday, September 24
o Hants County Exhibition, Windsor, Nova Scotia
Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 pm
o Halifax Lancers Open House, Outdoor Paddock, 1690 Bell Road
More info: https://www.halifaxlancers.com/summer

HRM Active Transportation (AT) Education and Promotion Grants
Deadline October 13, 2023.
These grants supports municipal objectives for a multi-modal transportation system as described in the Integrated Mobility Plan and the Active Transportation Priorities Plan. Grants are intended to support projects that aim to increase the number of people walking, bicycling and rolling Details can be found here

AfterWords Literary Festival
October 29 to November 5 | Various Venues
The fifth annual AfterWords Literary Festival is where writers and readers meet. With a packed schedule of events including conversations and readings, workshops and panel discussions, celebratory events, and even an afternoon funfair for kids, AfterWords unfolds October 29 to November 5 in venues around Halifax, Dartmouth, and Millbrook. Find tickets and more information at https://www.afterwordsliteraryfestival.com/

Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program
Deadline November 30, 2023
The municipality is pleased to announce that the Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program is now accepting applications for 2024-2025. Organizations applying for acceptance into the program (or the addition of another property) must submit a complete application on or before Thursday, November 30, 2023. The Tax Relief Program for Non-Profit Organizations application form is available online on the Program’s website at www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/tax-relief-non-profit-organizations or by emailing non-profittax@halifax.ca.

Test Drive an Electric Vehicle
Various Locations
The municipality is partnering with Next Ride and the Clean Foundation to host 18 free electric vehicle test drive events in communities throughout the municipality between May and July, 2023. Our team will be on hand to answer questions and share information about electric vehicles, available rebates and what to expect from the municipality’s electric vehicle strategy. Secure your spot by registering for a free test drive event near you in advance. Limited walk-in spots will be available. Links to register will become available approximately two weeks before each event. To register, visit Next Ride’s webpage and scroll down to find our municipal test drive events as they become available. You can see the full list of event dates and locations by visiting https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/energy-environment/electric-vehicle-strategy?fbclid=IwAR2rf0h0t30BJFGWe5_ThJgf_2kcVjW9n8cMJKPM3tKavD4EhWaUizUYrMA .

Service Canada Supports Communities Online
Does someone in your community need help with Employment Insurance (EI), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), and more? Are you or one of your community members a person with a disability or need extra support to get Service Canada benefits and services? Access support online at https://eservices.canada.ca/en/service/ Does someone in your community need a Social Insurance Number or confirmation of their SIN? Access help at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/sin.html
Housing Clinic

Monday and Thursday Mornings | Halifax Central Library, Spring Garden Road
Welcome Housing hosts Housing Clinics for those experiencing housing precarity every Monday and Thursday in June from 9-12 am, except on June 16
https://www.welcomehousing.ca

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 to residents. More info here: https://www.halifax.ca/home/311

Call my office
Call my office for assistance with your municipal issues. Please try 311 first, and when you call the office have your 311 reference number ready. Vicki Palmeter is my Constituency Coordinator. Vicki can be reached by email at Victoria.palmeter@halifax.ca or by phone at 902-490-2012.

Call or email 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 Victoria or 311 cannot assist you, please email me at waye.mason@halifax.ca or call 902.430.7822.