I hope you had an enjoyable winter holiday period. We were back at City Hall last week holding a Budget Committee meeting, meeting residents, and of course enjoying the inconvenient but beautiful snow day on Wednesday!

A lot is coming up this year in terms of important direction for the municipality – decision and direction on higher order transit, library construction and rehabilitation funding, affordable housing funding through the new Centre Plan fund, of course Halifact 2050, our municipal contribution to the response to the climate crisis.

I’m looking forward to working on these issues and helping to set a direction for Halifax for the next generation on these important files. I will keep you informed as information is released for public input, and I do want to hear your thoughts!

Great news story last week – 80% of Halifax’s recycled plastic is being used locally to make a plastic wood alternative –

Mike Chassie, vice-president of Goodwood, said Halifax has always been an advocate for finding better ways to manage end-of-life materials… Chassie said the company is taking plastics such as shopping bags, food containers and peanut butter jars. The material is then manufactured into synthetic lumber, wharf timbers, guardrail posts and agricultural posts.

He said his company’s product has been used by Dartmouth’s LakeCity Plastics to create outdoor furniture like park benches and picnic tables. Last summer, the municipality purchased 50 picnic tables to place in parks and at beaches.

You can read the full article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/goodwood-plastics-halifax-municipality-plastics-recycling-1.5421166

As part of the second phase of the public Wi-Fi project the Emera Oval is the latest area that has wifi added. When visiting the Emera Oval, citizens will now also have access to public Wi-Fi. This is just the first of several sites that will see public wifi access added this year.

AirBnB continues to be a concern for many and we look forward to a first look at possible regulatory approaches sometime this spring or summer. In the meantime, AirBnB has banned the use of their service to rent “party houses.” They are in the process of proactively identifying listings around the world that may be in violation of their new rules and to notify hosts that they will need to update their listings to comply with the party house ban policy. AirBnB encourages neighbours who are concerned about potential “party houses” in their neighbourhoods to please contact Airbnb through their website at http://airbnb.com/neighbours

Public Hearings and Important Meetings

Halifax Regional Council

Tuesday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street

You can find the agenda for Regional Council here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council/january-14-2020-halifax-regional-council

Budget Committee

Wednesday, January 15, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street

Budget committee to discuss the 2020/21 Administrative Services Operating Budget including the CAO, Legal, Human Resources, Finance and IT and Auditor General Budget. Agenda and reports can be found here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council/january-15-2020-budget-committee

Halifax and West Community Council

Tuesday, January 21, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Halifax City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street

Agenda will be available online Friday before the meeting: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/agendas-meetings-reports?category=140

Community Events

“Before the Parade” Book Launch

Monday, January 13, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. | Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd

Please join Nimbus Publishing and author Rebecca Rose in celebrating the launch of the new book “Before The Parade: A History Of Halifax’s Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Communities, 1972-1984.” More detail can be found here: https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/events/5dcb0b2c4bedb43a0096fefc

A History of Mi’kmaq Peoples to the Water & Land in Mi’kma’ki

Tuesday, January 14, 7:00 p.m. | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, 1675 Lower Water Street

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s special exhibit The Sea in Her Blood features 17 amazing women who are redefining traditional ways of living with the sea, Cheryl Maloney is one of those honoured. Cheryl will help navigate the history of the Mi’kmaq peoples to the water and land in Mi’kma’ki by focusing on both her legal and political background and as a daughter of a great chief. You can find more detail here: https://downtownhalifax.ca/event/history-mi-kmaq-peoples-water-land-mi-kmaki

Magnificent Mozart

Thursday, January 16, 7:30 p.m. | 6101 University Ave

Symphony Nova Scotia will be celebrating the world’s most iconic composer next week. Experience the joy and the genius of Mozart in this concert of three of his thrilling masterworks. Tickets and details can be found here: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/eventsearch?narrowbydate=today&sorttype#!/details/Symphony-NS-presents-Magnificent-Mozart/7405661/2020-01-16T19

Lou Duggan Creative Studio Grand Opening

Saturday, January 18, 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. | Halifax Central Library 5440 Spring Garden Rd

Learn how a 3D printer works, discover a new hobby, or create a special craft at the official opening of the new Lou Duggan Creative Studio. Activities for the whole family available! More information is on their website: https://halifax.bibliocommons.com/events/5e1765086d0ee82f002014a8

Roundtable Consultation: Immigrants Aging Well in Canada Project

Monday, January 20, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. | ISANS Mumford, 6960 Mumford Road, Suite 2120

Immigrants 55+ and their caregivers are invited to discuss making programs and services more inclusive to the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic needs of immigrant seniors. More information can be found here: https://www.isans.ca/event/roundtable-consultation-immigrants-aging-well-in-canada-project/

The Legacy of MLK: Peacemaking & Justice Making in a Time of Trouble

Monday, January 20, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Dalhousie Student Union, 6136 University Ave.

The Dalhousie Black Student Advisor Centre are honouring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by engaging in a discussion about what it means to create a space for peace and justice in a time of trouble. You can find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-legacy-of-mlk-peacemaking-justice-making-in-a-time-of-trouble-tickets-85253877643?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

40 Years of Photographing the North

Wednesday, January 22, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. | Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Rd

Nick Newbery, teacher, author and photographer will be speaking about his time in the North and highlighting examples from his photo collection. Details for the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/40-years-of-photographing-the-north-tickets-87817934807?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Atlantic LGBTQ+ Refugee Forum

Thursday, January 23, 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Halifax Central Library BMO Room, 5440 Spring Garden Rd

A forum for groups from the Atlantic region involved in LGBTQ+ refugee support to share lessons learned and identify priorities together.

A forum for groups from the Atlantic region involved in LGBTQ+ refugee support to share lessons learned and identify priorities together. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/atlantic-lgbtq-refugee-forum-tickets-85488924675?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

International Holocaust Remembrance Day Film Screening

Monday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. | Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Rd

Those Who Remained tells the story of two individuals brought together in the aftermath of the Second World War, and the complex relationship that develops as they try to navigate the world and find happiness. You can find more information here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-holocaust-remembrance-day-film-screening-those-who-remained-tickets-86514028789?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

UN World Interfaith Harmony Week Interfaith Engagement Program

February 1-9, 2020 | Various venues

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the UN declared World Interfaith Harmony Week which usually occurs the first week of February each year. With almost daily news of interfaith discrimination, persecution and violence in so many parts of the world, the need to foster and promote interfaith dialogue, understanding, and relationship building continues to grow. Interfaith Harmony Halifax is a community collaborative representing diverse community partners, faiths, people of good will, cultures, ages, skills and abilities Its purpose is to promote the vision of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Events just prior to February and during the first week or so of February include Interfaith Panel Conversations at Library branches, visits to Sacred Spaces which open their doors to the public, an Interfaith Learning program, called Interfaith Engagement, and a Celebration at the Central Library. All events are open to the public and free of charge. More info here http://www.ihhalifax.ca

How can we help?

Call my office

Call our office for assistance with your municipal issues. UPDATED please call Lucille Walsh Phone 902-490-2012 Email walshl@halifax.ca

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 http://www.halifax.ca/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/regional-council

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

Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to council on planning proposals for the three districts on the peninsula. 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