Our fourth council meeting of the year was held on Tuesday, 25 February. The full meeting agenda, reports and video recording are linked below.
Halifax Regional Council – February 25, 2025
Item 14.2 Councillor White – Update on the HRM response to the Halifax Independent Civilian Review into August 18, 2021, Encampment Evictions
This item was on information item from our 11 February council meeting that I brought forward to learn more about. I wanted to make sure that HRM making an apology for what took place that day is still on the table. After some questioning of staff and comments from councillors who sit on the Board of Police Commissioners, we confirmed that it is.
Item 15.1.4 Windsor Street Exchange – Supplementary Report
“Motion: That Halifax Regional Council:
1. Suspend the rules of procedure under Schedule 7, the Transportation Standing Committee Terms of Reference, of Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order.
It is recommended that Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Proceed with the Windsor Street Exchange project, as per the current funding agreement and Progressive Design-Build contract, using the existing functional design as a first phase of the final overall project. This includes design and construction of new structures within the project area to accommodate additional dedicated transit lanes and separated pedestrian and cycling facilities.
2. Begin planning the second phase of the Windsor Street Exchange project, implementing Scenario 1 – Road Widening as described in the staff report dated January 20, 2025, to provide additional right-of-way for dedicated transit lanes in both the inbound and outbound directions and separated sidewalks and cycling facilities for active transportation connections from Joseph Howe Drive to Kempt Road.
3. Prepare a report regarding implementation of the second phase to include the proposed concept design, property acquisition needs, schedule for design and construction, capital budget estimates, external funding opportunities, and resourcing requirements for Regional Council’s consideration.
4. Coordinate the planning and execution of the second phase Windsor Street Exchange Project with the Regional Transportation Plan and plans for a future MacKay Bridge corridor project when available from the Province, and other HRM-led initiatives including implementation of the Rapid Transit Strategy and IMP Strategic Corridors.
5. Review all current external funding opportunities for the Windsor Street Exchange project and submit applications for funding where eligible.”
This motion passed. I voted No.
I’m ok with the motion passing. Everything in bold text above was added to the motion since our 28 January council meeting when the last Windsor Street Exchange (WSE) motion failed. I’m pleased that staff took council’s requests for an outbound transit lane (and separated pedestrian and cycling paths) seriously. It took asking three times (August 24, 2023 Transportation Standing Committee, June 18, 2024 Halifax Regional Council and 28 January 2025).
The reason that I still voted “No” is that this new plan will cost $70M more and take another 4-6 years to implement the outbound transit priority lane. My preference is to implement Scenario 2 (road reallocation) in phase one and add another vehicle lane in phase two if needed.
I knew that the motion would pass this week after hearing my colleagues speak, so didn’t feel that voicing my opposition to the design with a “No” vote would stop the improved project plan from advancing.
As the phase two work is to add a transit lane and separated pedestrian and cycling paths, it is likely that that funding will become available from other orders of government.
This WSE process has been a good learning experience for me. If I wanted to see staff consider the Scenario 2 road reallocation alternative, I could have moved it on 28 January after the staff motion failed, to see if other council members wanted to explore that option. Hindsight is 20/20.
Item 15.2.1 Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame Capital Campaign
“Motion: That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to evaluate and provide options in response to the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame Capital Campaign request in the amount of $300,000.”
This motion passed on the consent agenda (everyone votes Yes in one motion). The Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame presented to the Community Planning & Economic Development committee on 13 February 2025. This space will be a welcome addition to District 7 (Scotiabank Centre) and HRM when complete.
Item 15.2.2 Discovery Center Biodiversity and Aquarium Facility
“Motion: That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to evaluate and provide options in response to the Discovery Center request of annual funding of $200,000 for five years towards the operating of the Beaty Center for Marine Biodiversity.”
This motion also passed on the consent agenda. The Discovery Centre CEO presented the Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity plans to the Community Planning & Economic Development committee on 13 February 2025. This space will be a welcome addition to District 7 (on Dal campus) and HRM when complete.
I’m concerned that they are asking for operating funding (on-going) rather than capital (one-time), but we’ll see what staff feel we can manage when their report comes to council.
Item 15.3.1 Board of Police Commissioners 2024 Updated Facility Plan
“Motion: That Halifax Regional Council direct staff to proceed with an in-depth analysis of the three potential sites that have been short-listed as potential sites for the development of a new Halifax Regional Police headquarters; and staff conduct a further, more detailed needs assessment (based on Halifax Regional Police and Royal Mounted Canadian Police service delivery strategies and anticipated organizational growth) including a review of future Halifax Regional Police programming requirements.”
This motion passed. I voted “No” because I am not comfortable with considering the Centennial Pool site for use by the police. The pool is a well-loved community center, yet multiple projects consider using this land for other purposes. I also feel that placing the headquarters directly beside the new Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre isn’t the best fit given our shared history.
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