News

Hello! This coming weekend marks the start of the return of students to Halifax, and exciting and sometimes trying time. I love the energy the students bring, and I’ve been meeting throughout the year with Halifax Police, the universities and other HRM staff to make sure we continue to handle September 1 as smoothly as possible.

Residents who are moving out are reminded that residents can only put out one (1) bulk item on garbage day, not an entire apartment, and that you cannot put out garbage before the evening before scheduled pick up. Landlords are responsible to ensure that apartment contents from their tenants do not end up street side and if it does the property owner is responsible to clean it up and/or be ticketed & charged the cost of cleanup. Please report violations to 311 (not to me! I have to call them in to 311 too) and staff will follow up.

In other news Regional Council voted amendments including a new formula for determining Council and Mayoral pay, We will now use Statistics Canada’s Nova Scotia Average Industrial Weekly (AIW) earnings, putting pay more in line with average workers in Halifax.

I am very proud that Regional Council voted 16-1 to approve the $7.4 million dollar MacDonald Bridge bikeway project. This is not the cost of the ramp, bu includes the engineering work and redoing the approaches, intersections and bike lanes on approach roads. The project will include new bike lanes on both sides of the bridge, as well as a flyover ramp both on and off the bridge. The project will make it easier for cyclists to move across the harbour, and is expected to be completed in 2020. More information on the project is available at https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/cycling-walking/cycling-projects/macdonald-bridge-bikeway-connector

Another huge step forward for the community occurred when Regional Council approved a recommendation from the Heritage Advisory Committee to approve a substantial alteration to the exterior of the Cornwallis Street Baptist Church. The proposed alteration would see a new addition to the building that would include a new library, kitchen, and administrative offices for the church. More information on this proposal is available at https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/170815rc1451.pdf

As I said last enewsletter I’ll be away for large chunks of August taking vacation and family time. I head to Montreal Thursday to drop my daughter at Concordia for her first year and then will stay there a few days on vacation. I’ll be checking emails and voicemail periodically but you can expect some delay. I’ll be back for Council September 5. Really, if you need anything best thing to do is call 311, or failing that my Constituency Coordinator Melody Campbell by phone 902-490-2012 or email melody.campbell@halifax.ca

Have a great couple weeks, see you in September!

Public meetings & hearings

Case 20323 Former Ben’s Bakery Lands, Halifax | Peninsula Planning Advisory Council

Monday, August 28, 2017 4pm | Halifax Hall, City Hall

The PAC will meet to discuss the former bakery lands between Quinpool and Shirley streets. WSP and Architecture 49, on behalf of Westwood Group, has applied to amend the Municipal Planning Strategy for Halifax and Land Use By-law for Halifax Peninsula to enable alternative residential, commercial and mixed-use redevelopment options, including commercial uses, multi-unit residential buildings, and townhouses buildings, at the former Ben’s Bakery Lands on Quinpool Road, Pepperell Street, Preston Street and Shirley Street, Halifax. More info here: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-20323-former-bens-bakery-lands-halifax

Regional Council Meeting

Tuesday, September 5, 2017 10am | Halifax Council Chambers, City Hall

The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 10am.

Agendas and reports are posted by noon on Friday prior to the meeting date and are available at https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports

Community Events

Halifax Urban Folk Festival

August 27-September 3, 2017 |Various venues around HRM

The Halifax Urban Folk Festival (HUFF) celebrates songwriters and the songs they create. HUFF is committed to presenting and promoting professional songwriters in an urban downtown setting, and to provide opportunities for Halifax artists to collaborate with visiting headliners. Over 50 artists and groups will be performing at different venues around the city. For more information including a full schedule and lineup, visit http://www.halifaxurbanfolkfestival.com/

Halifax Fringe Festival

August 31 – September 10, 2017 | Various locations around HRM

The largest theatre festival in Atlantic Canada is back for another year and will present dozens of new theatre and dance shows from Atlantic Canada, Ontario, the U.S., and abroad. Choose from hundreds of performances in numerous venues; musicals, dramas, comedies, dance performances, and belly dancers. For more information, please visit http://www.atlanticfringe.ca/atlanticfringe16/

Career, Education, and Settlement Immigrant Fair

Friday, September 8 2017 10am-4pm | World Trade and Convention Centre

Join Canadian Immigrant magazine’s third annual Career, Education and Settlement Immigrant Fair. This year’s event will feature more than 30 diverse exhibitors from employers, to educational institutes and social services agencies. There will be interactive activities including a resume clinic and networking, speakers, and practical workshops. Admission is free. For more information, please visit http://canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair/halifax

Women’s Intro to Urban Cycling

September 10-11, 2017 | Halifax Cycling Coalition, 5553 Bloomfield St.

The Women’s Intro to Urban Cycling Workshop provides a safe space to empower women and practice their cycling skills. Expert cyclists will be on hand to answer all your questions about riding a bike in the city. To register, visit https://cyclehalifax.ca/civi/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&id=101&reset=1

HaliBlitz|BioBlitz 150

September 11-17, 2017

HaliBlitz connects expert and amateur Naturalists with anyone interested in the natural world. Join the Ecology Action Centre for species identification and guided hikes at the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Wilderness Area throughout the week, and check out their main festival at Point Pleasant Park on Saturday, September 16th. For more information, visit https://ecologyaction.ca/BioBlitz

Phoenix Youth 30th Year celebration

Tuesday, September 12, 2017 5:30pm | Phoenix Youth Programs, 6035 Coburg Road

Phoenix Youth invites current and former youth, staff, volunteers, and community supporters to celebrate, share and reconnect at their 30th Anniversary celebration. To RSVP, please contact Andrea at phoenix@phoenixyouth.ca or 902-422-3105.

Community Events

Halifax Celtic Festival

September 12-17, 2017 | Halifax Forum, Multipurpose Centre

2017 marks the 5th Annual Halifax Celtic Festival with a range of performances and family-friendly activities! Come celebrate and experience Celtic languages and their associated cultures and heritage through song, music, dance, dress, storytelling, food, children’s activities, athletics, displays. All events are free admission. For more information, visit http://halifaxcelticfest.ca/

Atlantic Film Festival

September 14 – 21, 2017 | 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 http://www.atlanticfilm.com/atlantic-film-festival

Prismatic Arts Festival

September 14-23, 2017 | Various locations around HRM

Prismatic Arts Festival is Canada’s only multi-disciplinary arts festival that showcases local, national and internationally culturally diverse and indigenous artists. There will be spectacular performances in theatre, dance, music, spoken word, and visual and media arts by artists from across Canada. Art for Everyone! For more information, please visit http://prismaticfestival.com/

Spencer House Lobster Dinner

Saturday September 16, 2017 3 & 5pm | Spencer House Senior Centre, 5596 Morris Street

Spencer House is having a fund-raising lobster dinner on Saturday, Sept 16th. Two seatings: 3pm & 5pm, advance ticket purchase required! Member pricing is $19.95, non-members $24.95. Your choice of chilled plated lobster OR a lobster roll; potato salad, kale salad, fresh homemade rolls, tea & coffee, lemon mousse cake. Call 902-421-6131 for reservations, everyone welcome!

Terry Fox Run 2017

Sunday, September 17, 2017 10am | Point Pleasant Park

This year’s Terry Fox Run is happening on Sunday September 17 at 10am at Point Pleasant Park. There are 1km, 5km, and 10km options, and participants are welcome to run, walk or bike. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/130527594210934/

Help and more info

Call my office

Call our office for assistance with your municipal issues. Contact my Constituency Coordinator Melody Campbell by phone 902-490-2012 or email melody.campbell@halifax.ca or contact me directly. The best way to reach me is via email at my city email – waye.mason@halifax.ca or you can call my direct line at 902-490-8462.

311 – HRM’s Call Centre

HRM’s call centre is open 7 days/week from 7 am to 11 pm 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 for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.) For more information please visit https://www.halifax.ca/home/311

Regional Council Reports and Agendas

If you want to read reports coming to Regional Council (posted mid-day Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting) or to check the agenda please go to: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports

Halifax and West Community Council Reports and Agendas

Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times. https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/halifax-west-community-council

Peninsula Planning Advisory Council Reports and Agendas

The Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to council on planning proposals for the two districts. Please check the webpage for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/halifax-peninsula-planning-advisory-committee