Our nineteenth council meeting of 2026 was held on Tuesday, 10 November.
The full meeting agenda, reports and video recording are linked below.
Halifax Regional Council – November 10, 2026
The public portion of our meeting was quite short, so I don’t have much to report on.
1.2 Special Presentation – Major Event Host Committee Recognition
Sail GP, Canadian Curling Trials and Canoe ’26 competition organizers were celebrated in person with plaques and photographs for the community vibrancy and economic impact they brought to our home this year. I believe that this recognition is originally from Discover Halifax. I didn’t make it over to Banook, but our waterfront and Scotiabank Centre hosted entertaining major events in D7.
Host Committee Events – Business Events Halifax
15.1.1 Second Reading Proposed By-Law N-305, Respecting Nuisances and Smoking – Exterior Lighting Considerations
“Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law N-305, amending By-law N-300, the Nuisance and Smoking By-Law, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated October 14, 2026.”
Rules around how lighting is mounted and directed on private property were added to our bylaw so that neighbours are prevented from unreasonably disturbing adjacent properties. The new text is contained in part 5 of the bylaw.
(As noted in my recent paper newsletter, smoking on municipal streets and sidewalks is not permitted. Designated smoking areas are available.
Cannabis | Smoking | Designated Smoking Areas | Vaping | DSA | Halifax)
This motion passed unanimously.
18.0 Fire
18.2 Councillor Steele – Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency (HRFE) Medical Response Service Levels
I won’t share the motion wording here as they were very comprehensive, but thanks to Councillor Steele our new Fire Chief Rizzi for initiating communication improvements between council and HRFE. I look forward to working more closely together outside of Budget Committee meetings. The second motion relates to the fact that many demands on fire fighters’ time are medical calls (about 30%) so the idea is to look into ways that we may be able to respond more appropriately and collaboratively with the province.
I voted Yes. (I believe they passed unanimously.)
21.4 Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 4, 2026 re: 2026-2030 Strategic Plan Baseline Report