In this issue
My Council Update includes info about the annual budget, D7 Participatory Budgeting, new Robie Street Crosswalk, housing, HFX Alert, rental registration, and the April tax bill.
Public Engagement section shows Council and Budget meetings. Roadworks info has been updated and Community Events & Information includes some new events and upcoming important dates.
Councillor Update
Hi everyone,
The annual budget process was completed yesterday so I am getting caught up on emails and can now safely say I am returning to regular service!
There is a lot of good stuff in the budget this year, and I feel pretty good about a couple of key areas, especially our response to homelessness and community safety. A lot of good work has gone into setting us up for a non-police response to social issues that are not crimes, and now that this work is funded we will see this idea become a reality.
The budget increase was brought down from a high of over 11% to 6.3%, which is lower than most cities our size this year, but still higher than we’ed like. Our average tax increase over the last 10 years was around 3.2%, including this year, and I’d like to get it back down in that 2-4% range next year. Pressures from wages and new demands for service is outstripping new developments being completed and added to the assessment role. The next year will see HRM go deeply into a service review that will help us get cost increases down to a more manageable level. A lot of work to do between now and next yeaballot
PARTICIPATORY BUDGET
Residents of District 7 are invited to join me at the Lindsay Children’s Room at Halifax Central Library on Monday May 13 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to vote on which projects should receive support from District 7’s district capital for 2024-25.
PLEASE NOTE: In an election year, only $55,680 is available between April 1 and October,
The balance of $37,600 will be available to the area Councillor after the election, and $720 has been allocated to support Ronald MacDonald House from the money available April 1.
A tradition since 2013 (except during COVID) community members like you have proposed projects and made recommendations on how to spend district capital money, and then voted on what should be funded. This year $84,000 is available.
All residents of District 7 regardless of citizenship – including children – are invited to come and help choose projects that will help build a stronger community! We are practising a different way of making decisions about how to spend public money in our neighbourhood.
Please share this invitation to your neighbours! More info at https://wayemason.ca/pb
NEW ROBIE STREET CROSSWALK AT BINNEY
HRM will be installing a new crosswalk and RA-5 Crosswalk Signals (big overhead flashing lights) at the intersection of Robie Street and Binney Street including installation of curb extensions (bump-outs). The approximate location of the proposed crosswalk is shown in the image below.
This work is planned for the 2024 construction season. This will provide a much safer crossing for the many walkers, rollers and cyclists that use the path through Camp Hill Cemetery to head to downtown and to Citadel High.
MUNICIPALITY AND HOUSING
In coordination with the Province of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking options through a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for a long-term indoor shelter space to provide overnight accommodations for approximately 100 people experiencing homelessness.
The municipality will assess and provide all viable responses that meet the criteria to the Province of Nova Scotia for consideration as a replacement site for the provincially funded shelter at the Multi-Purpose Centre of the Halifax Forum. As previously stated, this facility is scheduled to return to its intended purpose for the community on August 31, 2024.
RENTAL REGISTRATION
In June 2023, HRM passed By-law R-400 that required property owners to register their residential rental properties by April 1, 2024.
Only rental properties that are located within HRM need to be registered. The Residential Rental Registry will provide a clearer picture of the rental landscape in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Currently, the accuracy and detail of available building information is limited. A complete record of rental properties is expected to provide significant benefits for residents occupying these buildings by enhancing the municipality’s ability to provide services where needed.
Over time, the registry will help the municipality proactively identify maintenance issues, reduce complaints and non-compliance, and improve the safety and overall living conditions for renters across the region. More details can be found at www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/residential-rental-registry.
STORM SEASON IS COMING – SIGN UP FOR HfxALERT
hfxALERT is the municipality’s mass notification system for informing residents about emergencies and operational updates. hfxALERT will send urgent and non-urgent notifications as well as municipal winter parking ban notices. Residents can sign up for notifications via the website at halifax.ca/hfxalert.
APRIL TAX BILL
Sadly for many, it is tax time. The Halifax Regional Municipality sends out its tax bills to all property owners twice a year. The Interim bill was mailed mid-March and is due on Tuesday, April 30. The final bill will be due October 31. If you have any enquiries about your tax bill, please call the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or online by visiting www.halifax.ca/home-property/property-taxes.
Thank you, take care, and talk soon!
Waye
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
- GRANVILLE ST from PRINCE ST to SACKVILLE ST, starting on 2024-03-28
- BRUNSWICK ST from COGSWELL ST to PORTLAND PL, starting on 2024-03-05
- MONASTERY LANE from QUINPOOL RD to YALE ST, starting on 2024-03-27
- COMPTON AVE from ROBIE ST to WINDSOR ST, starting on 2024-03-26
- SOUTH ST from DALHOUSIE ST to STUDLEY AVE, starting on 2024-03-25
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
Community Events and Info
Aids Coalition of Nova Scotia presents The Red Gala
April 20, 2024 | Light House Arts Centre, Argyle Street
This marquee cocktail social event will be on April 20th, 2024, at the Light House Arts Centre. It will feature a bar, light aetizers, a silent auction, and variety-show-style performances, all co-hosted by drag performers Rouge Fatale and Deva Station. It’s a semi-formal affair that will celebrate the three-decade legacy of Aids Coalition of Nova Scotia, and will serve as an introduction to our future. We will unveil name and brand changes to the organization during the night. Tickets are $95, and those who buy before March 20th are entered into our Early-Bird Draw for a $500 Travel Voucher from Adam Taylor at Altitude Travel. Get your tickets at www.tinyurl.com/ACNSRedGala
ZUPPA’s 15th Annual Concert
Thursday April 25 | St Andrew’s Church, Robie at Coburg
Like Sand Through The Hourglass, these are some songs about time. Featuring performances by Halifax’s best and brightest including Terra Spencer, Stewart Legere, Richard Taylor, Blue Lobelia, and more. More info: https://zuppa.works/news/like-sands-through-the-hourglass-here-are-some-songs-about-time/
the 2024 City Nature Challenge
April 26-29, 2024
Started in 2016 as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the City Nature Challenge (CNC) has grown into an international event, motivating people around the world to find and document wildlife in their own cities. Run by the Community Science teams at the California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM), the CNC is an annual four-day global bioblitz at the end of April, where cities are in a collaboration-meets-friendly-competition to see what can be accomplished when we all work toward a common goal.
The City Nature Challenge is a citizen science activity and is led by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) along with Parks Canada, and NatureServe Canada. For more informaition on how to participate visit: https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/
EARTH DAY IS APRIL 22
Did you know that it has been 54 years since April 22 was declared as Earth Day? In 1970, it mobilized millions of citizens to lobby for the protection of the planet. The first Earth Day is accredited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event.
The 2024 campaign theme for 2024 is “Planet vs. Plastics” demonstrating their unwavering commitment to end plastic production for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60 per cent reduction by 2040. Learn more at www.earthday.org/earth-day-2024. What will you do to reduce the amount of plastics in your home and community?
Did you know that 43% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from the transportation sector and a rise in car usage? You can take part in helping to make a difference this Earth Day (and every day!) by: using active transportation (walking, cycling, running…), trying out public transportation, suggest carpooling or opt for it!
WELLNESS FUNDS GRANT
Deadline May 6, 5pm
Each year, Nova Scotia Health Authority designates funds for each CHB in the province to distribute as Wellness Funds (WF). This fund is for non-profit groups working to improve health in their communities and must address the health priorities identified by the CHBs in their current community health plan. More: https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/wf-intro
STEP UP TO SPRING
Join our Neighbourhood & Volunteer Services team for their Step up to Leadership course this spring! The course was developed by volunteers, for volunteers and covers a wide range of topics to help participants develop leadership skills and build strong communities. Learn more about the spring 2024 sessions at halifax.ca/volunteer.
Do you need help with your tax return? You may be eligible for help at a free tax clinic if you have a modest income and a simple tax situation. A free tax clinic is a place where eligible people can get their tax returns done for free by volunteers. They are hosted by community organizations across Canada through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) and the Income Tax Assistance – Volunteer Program (ITAVP) in Quebec. For more info visit https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/community-volunteer-income-tax-program/need-a-hand-complete-your-tax-return.html
SWAP YOUR MACPASS TRANSPONDER FOR AN ELECTRONIC STICKER
MACPASS is Halifax Harbour Bridges’ (HHB) electronic tolling system that allows drivers to pass through the tolls of the Macdonald and MacKay bridges without stopping to pay with cash. MACPASS itself is free, convenient and comes with a discount over paying toll fees with cash.
After 25 years, HHB is no longer giving out the hard-shell MASPASS transponder. Instead, HHB is offering a new, free and more effective sticker pass. The sticker MACPASS is smaller, works faster at the toll lanes, and will interact with new electronic tolling technology coming soon to HHB. Get your new sticker online at www.MyMACPASS.com or by visiting the MACPASS Customer Service Centre on 471 Princess Margaret Boulevard in Dartmouth. You can also call them at 902-436-3100. For more info visit https://halifaxharbourbridges.ca/macpass/
BRIDGING THE GAP INTERNSHIPS
The municipality is offering paid 18-month internships for new graduates interested in a career in municipal public service. The Bridging the Gap program provides training and development opportunities to candidates who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution within the last 24 months including those who are scheduled to graduate before the internship start date.
SUMMER RECREATION JOBS
Are you a student or young adult looking for a summer job that offers more than minimum wage? Check out the variety of opportunities available with Parks & Recreation. We offer:
- Fun work culture
- Wage ranges from $17-$20 per hour
- Free evenings and weekends (for specific jobs)
- Interesting jobs in aquatics, inclusion and recreation
- Limited travel with jobs available in urban, suburban and rural communities
- Opportunity to work outdoors and in an environment that promotes health, wellness and physical activity
For more information, visit our website https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/employment/seasonal-youth-employment-recreation.
Community Access Program (CAP)
Starts Feb 12, 2024 | Online Application
Independent Living Nova Scotia’s (ILNS) Community Access Program (CAP) is a 9-week pre-employment program perfect for anyone who is:
- 18-24 years old
- Living in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
- Wanting to connect with their community
- Looking to develop life and employment skills
Those interested can apply for CAP at the following link: https://ilns.ca/cap/ or get in touch with program staff at cap@ilns.ca or 902-453-0004.
2b theatre – Red Like Fruit
April 3-21 |. Bus Stop Theatre, Gottingen Street
Searing new play about consent is already a finalist for the prestigious Susan Smith Blackburn Prize 2b theatre company produces the world premiere of the newest play from Canadian Governor General’s Award-winning sensation, Hannah Moscovitch at the Bus Stop Theatre in Halifax from April 3-21. The show is the feature programming piece for 2b’s annual SPRINGboard mini-fest. Moscovitch calls the play an opportunity to “Mess with the audience’s feelings about what role the male gaze and voice plays in defining how women feel about their lives.” She says: “I’ve realized the patriarchy has made it easy for me to doubt myself, but somehow, when a man says something is true, I accept it.” The play features a man telling a woman’s story. Lauren asks Luke to narrate her life: her fraying mental health, the growing sense of unease she feels in the world. While Lauren’s been reporting on a high profile case of domestic violence, she’s been thinking back with eerie ambivalence on a set of sexual events from her adolescence, and something in her has started to crash. Soon, Lauren can no longer comprehend her own decisions and desires (like why she asked Luke to narrate for her in the first place). Red Like Fruit interrogates the many contradictions and complexities of complicity, consent, patriarchy and traumatic memory in the post #MeToo era. Tickets are available online here.
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.ht
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.