Good evening, all,
I hope you had a restful holiday season and are making it through January. I was very glad to see the sun today! I had a meeting in Dartmouth with Public Works, so I decided to cycle over.
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(19 January update – I have a new website going in the background. I know that this newsletter did not get sent out to subscribers. Working on learning how to do this via another piece of software in the background. Bear with me! You do not need to resubscribe.)
14 January Council Meeting
Our first council meeting of the year was held on Tuesday, 14 January. The full meeting agenda, reports and video recording are linked below.
Halifax Regional Council – January 14, 2025
In District 7, First Baptist Church became a registered heritage property (unanimous Yes votes). I had the pleasure of attending a service and had a tour of the building last month, including the new Armbrae South Campus. The faith community plans to later develop housing on site through a Heritage Development Agreement. I really like all of the plans that I’ve seen come through council so far as HDAs.
We had a presentation from Property Valuation Services Corporation. If you own property, you probably received your assessment in the mail this week. Assessment appeals must be received by February 13, 2025. Your Property Assessment Notice | Property Valuation Services Corporation
You may have read about the closure of Castle Hill Park pickleball courts in the news. While I would prefer to see alternate courts open next season to replace these, I voted Yes to go ahead with the closure (through the consent agenda) because the setback distance of these courts (10 m) is much less than the new guideline allows (75-90 m for 4 courts) and the measures to mitigate the sound last season did not work.
The Resident Survey is an interesting, yet not surprising read (see PSA below for a summary).
I think the survey is something to consider (as the topics above certainly line up with what I heard from you at the doors), but not heavily rely on. The survey was fairly long, many topics discussed are not exclusively municipal issues, the questions weren’t always clear to me, and despite efforts, there was very little diversity amongst the people who chose to complete it.
The motion to consider this survey when developing our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan passed. I voted Yes.
Community Updates
Victoria Park is now open. Click on “de-designated locations” to read more. Common questions | Halifax
I will be holding my second coffee drop in on 24 January, 10-12 pm at Ampersand Café – Halifax Central Library. The idea is to meet and chat for 10 minutes or so. Thanks to the 4 groups that came out last week!
Participatory Budgeting community voting night is set for 5 May! Details to follow, here is the history: District 7 Participatory Budgeting 2013-2024
2025-2026 COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM
Halifax Regional Municipality’s Community Grants Program is accepting applications from registered non-profits and charities located within Halifax Regional Municipality. for the 2025-2026 program. The application deadline is March 31st, 2025. Application forms and program guidebooks are available from:
- halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/community-grants
- Visiting one of our Customer Service Centres: halifax.ca/home/311#ContactCentres
- Alderney Gate, 40 Alderney Drive, – Dartmouth, 1st floor
- Musquodoboit Harbour Strip Mall, Corner of Hwy #7 & East Petpeswick Road
- Bayers Road, 7071 Bayers Road, Main level
- Contacting 311 – halifax.ca/home/311
- E-mail – nonprofitgrants@halifax.ca
Organizations considering an application to the Program are encouraged to review the guidebook. For further information, please email nonprofitgrants@halifax.ca or call 902.497.0479
Public Service Announcements
Re: T05.2024 Cathedral Lane Sewer Separation Project
As per your request, please be advised that Dexter Construction Company Ltd and their subcontractors as agents of Halifax Regional Water Commission, have permission to work from 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2025, to 1 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025. There will be no water service on College St from Cathedral Lane to Summer St during this shut down.
In accordance with By-Law Number N-200, Respecting Noise, Section 4.2 (c) “employees, contractors, or agents of the Municipality, the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Water Commission, the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission, the Nova Scotia Power Commission and MTT and other telecommunication companies when those employees, contractors, or agents are acting in the reasonable execution of their duties, on condition that the employee, contractor or agent give 48 hours written notice prior to commencing the work, to the assessed owner or owners, as shown in the records of the Regional Assessment Office, of properties located within 100 feet of the property on which the work is to be carried out, provided however that such notice is not required in the event of an emergency.”
The exemption is contingent on the contractor providing 48 hours written notice prior to commencing the work, to the residents adjacent to and within a minimum of 30 meters of the work area.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Inspector Jessica DeWaepenaere Byrnes 782 640 7391
Downtown Halifax Area – Wastewater System Maintenance
(December 12, 2024) Halifax Water is currently planning to perform wastewater system maintenance work at the corner of Lower Water Street and Sackville Street, Halifax. This work is tentatively scheduled for a 24-hour window, between January 27 and February 17, 2025. This is subject to change depending on the weather.
During this scheduled work, it is estimated that approximately 48,000 m3 of screened wastewater will be released into the harbour from two approved relief points. These two locations (986 Barrington Street and 1600 Lower Water Street) are designed to occasionally alleviate pressure from high volumes in the collection system due to wet weather events.
This maintenance work is integral to the system’s operation and must be completed by redirecting wastewater flows. As a result, Halifax Water has scheduled it to take place during an expected period of no/low precipitation to reduce flows in the area.
This will help minimize the impact on customers and the environment while ensuring customers continue to have wastewater service during this period.
To reduce pressure on the wastewater system and minimize environmental impact during this temporary maintenance period, we are asking customers to reduce wastewater flows in the areas shown (see attached map). Please minimize use of running water, flushing toilets or doing laundry during this time.
To learn more, visit halifaxwater.ca/reducing-wastewater.
This work will not impact traffic.
We appreciate your assistance in this matter and apologize for any inconvenience this wastewater system maintenance work may cause.
To ensure the safety of our communities and our staff, please maintain a safe distance when Halifax Water staff or contractors are working in your area.
For more information on Halifax Water, please check www.halifaxwater.ca, visit us on YouTube, or Twitter @HalifaxWater, Facebook, or call our Customer Care Centre at 902-420-9287.
Media Contact:
Communications Department, Halifax Water
(902) 233-1157 | communications@halifaxwater.ca
Municipality releases results of 2024 Resident Survey
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 (Halifax, N.S.) – The Halifax Regional Municipality has released the results of the 2024 Resident Survey. Key highlights are outlined below and a summary of the results can be found at: halifax.ca/residentsurvey.
Residents were asked to share their opinions on municipal priorities, their satisfaction with municipal services and their thoughts on potential and proposed changes and improvements – as well as other key issues impacting communities across the region. This was the 11th resident survey since municipal amalgamation in 1996.
The Resident Survey is one of many inputs to the municipality’s planning processes, with the results of the survey being used to measure performance and guide strategic policy and planning decisions as the municipality develops the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Key highlights of the 2024 Resident Survey results:
- Top issues: The availability of housing was identified as the primary issue facing the municipality over the next five years by a significant margin. Other key issues cited include affordable housing and rent control; transportation and traffic; transit; poverty and homelessness; and healthcare.
- Quality of life: 80 per cent of residents rated their quality of life as very good or good, down nine percentage points from 2021. The decrease was attributed mainly to concerns about housing affordability and availability as well as the increased cost of living.
- Perception of value for taxes: 43 per cent of residents indicated they received very good or good value for the property taxes they paid, a decline from 72 per cent in 2021.
- Satisfaction with municipal services: Overall, 60 per cent of residents were very satisfied or satisfied with the delivery of all services provided by the municipality. This is down from 82 per cent in 2021.
- Service levels: When asked if they would like to increase, maintain or decrease service levels for municipal services, a majority of residents said they would prefer to maintain service levels for 34 of the 40 municipal services surveyed. Services identified as areas desirable for increased service levels include support to address homelessness and support those who are unhoused; efforts to support food security and strengthen the food system; public transit (including conventional bus and overall transit service); street and road maintenance; and climate action.
- Priorities: When asked to rate the importance of 22 aspects of the Regional Council Priorities in the 2021-2025 Strategic Priorities Plan, residents rated all but one as very important or important, with ‘ensuring the transportation network allows easy movement around the region’ rated the highest (with 96 per cent of respondents saying it was very important or important).
- Infrastructure: Housing (at 44 per cent) was rated the most important infrastructure project for the municipality to invest in over the next five years. Streets and roads, climate change mitigation and protection and food security were also rated highly.
- Municipal direction and public engagement: 35 per cent of residents feel the municipality is moving in the right direction to ensure a high quality of life for future generations. Over two-thirds felt the municipality did a good job communicating regional and local issues.
- Service quality: 75 per cent of residents indicated they had some form of contact with the municipality over the past year and 84 per cent of those individuals were satisfied with their interaction. Ratings for those using online services were also high, with 83 per cent satisfied with the outcome of their interaction.
- Housing and homelessness: 85 per cent believe the municipality should allocate additional resources to address the creation of more housing in general and 78 per cent believe that the municipality should allocate additional resources to address homelessness.
- Food security: 51 per cent of residents indicated that the greatest barrier to getting the food they need to be healthy and active was that food was not affordable.
- Environment: The top priority for action on environment and climate change was food security – followed by extreme weather and emergency management.
- Policing: Overall, 57 per cent of residents said the police are doing an excellent or good job, with 13 per cent saying they were doing a poor or very poor job.
- Public safety: 94 per cent of residents feel safe in their neighbourhood during the day, and 70 per cent at night. 37 per cent felt safe at night in downtown Halifax and 30 per cent at night in downtown Dartmouth.
- Parks: 73 per cent of residents were satisfied with the various municipal park assets and services – apart from the condition and availability of public washrooms.
- Libraries: 61 per cent of residents reported using the Halifax Public Libraries over the past year, and 98 per cent of users were satisfied with the library system.
- Mobility and transportation: 61 per cent of residents reported they commuted to work, with 65 per cent using their own personal vehicle as their primary mode of transportation. 19 per cent reported using public transit, and eight per cent walked or used a mobility device. Satisfaction with the ease of getting around by various modes varied from 79 per cent for walking, to 35 per cent for public transit. More reliable service, more frequent service, more direct routes and shorter travel times were cited as things that would encourage more people to use public transit. The overall condition of roads in the municipality was rated as good by 29 per cent of residents. Sidewalks scored higher at 52 per cent.
The 2024 Resident Survey, conducted by Narrative Research from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13, 2024, included responses from 2,029 residents though online, telephone and paper formats. Results have been statistically weighted by age, gender and the district of residence of respondents. The overall margin of error for this survey is ±2.2 percentage points (19 times out of 20 or at the 95 per cent confidence level).
For more information, visit: halifax.ca/residentsurvey.
Residents invited to share feedback on French language services
Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 (Halifax, N.S.) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting Acadian and Francophone residents to share feedback on the French Language Services Strategy through an online survey.
The survey can be completed in French or English and will be available until Feb. 16 at shapemycity.ca.
In 2021, Halifax Regional Council approved the French-Language Services Strategy, designed to strengthen the municipality’s engagement with its Acadian and Francophone communities. This strategy includes 33 action items, divided into three phases, to ensure municipal services, programs and decisions meet the needs of French-speaking residents. The first phase of this strategy is complete.
Public Engagement Sessions
Residents will also be able to attend in-person and online engagement sessions offering the same information in French in the following locations:
- Saturday, Jan. 18 – 10 to 11:30 a.m., Sackville Sports Stadium, Multipurpose Room, 409 Glendale Drive, Lower Sackville
- Wednesday, Jan. 22 – 6 to 7:30 p.m., Ecole du Carrefour, Boardroom, 201A Portage Avenue, Dartmouth
- Thursday, Jan. 23 – 3 to 4:30 p.m., Ecole secondaire du Sommet, Café-theatre, 500 Larry Uteck Boulevard, Halifax
- Tuesday, Jan. 28 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Halifax Central Library, Room 301, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax
- Monday, Feb. 3: Online engagement – 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Residents can register for these sessions through this online form. Registration will close 24 hours before the session.
These engagement sessions are intended to collect the community’s feedback regarding the current strategy, the completed action items and how to revise and update the strategy to better reflect and meet the community’s needs.
The Halifax Regional Municipality has the largest Acadian and Francophone community in Nova Scotia, with more than one third of French-speaking Nova Scotians residing in the municipality. It also accounts for more than half of the self-identified bilingual individuals in the province.
Municipality recruiting applicants for summer positions
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 (Halifax, N.S.) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is recruiting applicants for summer casual positions. There are a diverse range of jobs in aquatics, inclusion and recreation programming available in communities across the region – the ideal job opportunity for teenagers and students.
Applications will open on Tuesday, Jan. 14 – with additional openings being posted on Tuesday, Jan. 28 and Tuesday, Feb. 25. Applicants should refer to individual job postings for closing dates. Wages range between $17.20 and $23.20 per hour.
Parks & Recreation staff will be visiting job fairs, schools and community events throughout the winter to support recruitment.
For more information on dates and locations, as well as a list of job openings, visit: halifax.ca/recsummerjobs.
Municipality releases 2024 Municipal Election campaign finance disclosure documentation
Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 (Halifax, N.S.) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that campaign finance disclosure documentation for the 2024 Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Election is now available on halifax.ca/election.
Within 60 days of 2024 Municipal Election, every candidate was required to make an appointment with the municipality’s Election Office to file Form 40, a Statement of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures and Statement of Campaign Surplus. The disclosure of this information is outlined in By-law C-1100 – Respecting Campaign Financing and the Province of Nova Scotia’s Municipal Elections Act.
For more information, visit halifax.ca/election.
Traffic Delay – Robie Street
Location: Robie Street between Binney Street and Shirley Street
Date: Monday, January 20 to Monday January 27, 2025
Time: 24/7
Work details: This work is to support the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project.
Traffic impact: The NORTH bound lanes on Robie St will be re-directed into the SOUTH bound lane just after the Jubilee St intersection. NORTH bound traffic will be reduced to one lane between Jubilee Rd and Cherry St.
The SOUTH bound lanes will be reduced to two lanes (one through lane and one right-turn lane at the Jubilee Rd intersection). Left-turns onto Veterans Memorial Lane from the SOUTH bound lane of Robie St will be prohibited. Drivers passing through the work area should proceed with caution. Drivers should expect delays and use alternative routes where possible.
All crosswalks at the Robie St / Jubilee Rd intersection will remain open.
Street Closure – Market Street
Location: Prince George Hotel
Dates: Tuesday, Jan. 21
Time: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Work details: This closure is required to hoist a generator on to the roof of the Prince George Hotel.
Traffic impact: A detour will be in place. Drivers should expect delays and use alternative routes.
Roadworks
The following street closures or sidewalk disruptions have recently been added to the RoadWorks map in District 7:
- ROBIE ST from BARRINGTON ST to GRAFTON ST, starting on 2025-01-18 | View in RoadWorks Map
- CARLTON ST from SPRING GARDEN RD to END, starting on 2025-01-20 | View in RoadWorks Map
- MARKET ST from PRINCE ST to CARMICHAEL ST, starting on 2025-01-21 | View in RoadWorks Map