NEWS

I hope you had a good winter break! Things are starting to really pick up speed here at City Hall.

People are already calling me about participatory budgeting! Dates are not yet firm but we will announce them in my fall newsletter and online sometime in February. Once again $94,000 for capital projects will be available to groups that meet the criteria. To get ahead of the curve, you can go and look at last year’s application info and start thinking and dreaming about what you would like to see happen in our community.

There are many major projects coming along that will change the municipality dramatically. I wanted to briefly touch on some of them. Later this month we will get an updated timeline regarding completing the Centre Plan. We are also expecting to hear back soon on the other proposed developments that were presented in the open house at the Atlantica. As soon as I have clarity on what the timeline and path is I will post that information.

Sometime midyear Council will have the information we need to decide whether to go ahead on Cogswell demolition. I know residents are very excited to see the removal of this eyesore, it is something I’ve been going to meetings about since Kate Carmichael started the conversation over 20 years ago. While this will mean a couple years of significant disruption, staff and consultants are working hard to minimise the pain while moving us toward this goal.

Finally, there are several other big plans coming back this year, the Integrated Mobility plan and the Green Network plan, that are huge pieces of work that will help make our city greener, more pedestrian, cycle, and transit friendly, and improve all of our quality of life. I’ll be posting updates as I get them.

If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas about what you’ed like to see in our district, please let me know! I love to hear from residents about issues big and small.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

(Unfortunately the Coburg public hearing was left of my Friday update. I apologize for the oversight.)

Case 19858 Amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy and Peninsula Land Use By-Law for 6345 Coburg Road, Halifax

Tuesday January 24, 6pm | Halifax City Hall

That Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed amendments to the Halifax Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Halifax Peninsula Land Use By-Law (LUB), as set out in attachments A and B of the staff report dated November 1, 2016, to enable a multi-unit residential building at 6345 Coburg Road, Halifax. http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/170124ca111.pdf

Halifax Regional Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 24, 2017 10am | City Hall, Halifax Council Chambers

The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday, January 24th at 10am in Halifax Council Chambers at City Hall. Council agenda and reports are available by noon on the Friday prior to the council meeting, and can be found by visiting http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

South Park Bike Lane Engagement

Tuesday, January 31, 2017, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | RBC Room, Halifax Central Library

Planning is underway to improve the comfort, safety and continuity of the South Park Street bike lanes. This planning process includes studying how to extend the bike lanes southward on South Park Street to Inglis Street and is also now considering parking-protected bike lanes following strong support for this type of facility during the first round of public engagement in April 2016. This meeting is to provide an update on the project and gather feedback on the latest design options. There will also be information and a survey posted on the Shape Your City website.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Peace Forum – Celebrating Black Nova Scotian Youth Leadership in Building Peace

Saturday, January 21, 2017 2-4pm | Halifax Central Library

The Michaëlle Jean Foundation will be hosting their first major Peace Forum in Halifax focusing on the issues of gun violence and the over representation of African Nova Scotians incarcerated in the Province. The Peace Forum will also pay tribute to young Black Nova Scotian changemakers striving to bring peace to Nova Scotia and beyond. The Peace Forum is part of the Justice, Arts and Youth in Action Initiative, which is canvassing the province to gather suggestions for an action plan that will support young artists seeking to promote peace and justice in their communities. Please RSVP at JAYAinitiative@gmail.com before 6pm on January 18, 2017 or register via the link below:

http://app.simplycast.ca/?q=lp%2Fshow&lp=wPCKVydOfXEoovSd. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/369388966758166/

Public Lecture: Beyond Colonialism? Libraries for a Canada We Don’t Yet Know

Monday, January 23, 2017 4-6pm | Halifax Central Library

All are welcome to attend the 2017 Dalhousie-Horrocks National Leadership Lecture, co-sponsored by Halifax Public Libraries. The event will feature a lecture by Monique Woroniak (Winnipeg Public library), presentation of the Dalhousie-Horrocks award, and a reception with light refreshments taking place in Paul O’Reagan Hall. This is a free event and is open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/388737764804645/

Screenagers Screening

Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 7pm | Sacred Heart Little Theatre

Screenagers is a film about the impact of the digital age on children and how to help families to feel more confident and better equipped to minimize harmful effects and find balance around screen time. This is a community service event designed to promote awareness and family discussion about digital use issues. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the office at Gorsebrook Junior High or at gjh@hrsb.ca and will be available at the door. All are welcome to attend.

Immigration options for International Students Workshop

Monday, January 30, 2017 5-6pm | International Centre at Dalhousie University

This monthly immigration workshop focuses on immigration pathway programs for international students such as the federal Express Entry Program and the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. The Q&A session will address issues in the temporary resident programs such as visitor visas, and study and work permits in Canada. For more information, visit https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/international-centre.html

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 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: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

Halifax and West Community Council Reports and Agendas

Community Council has now decided to meet 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. http://www.halifax.ca/commcoun/west/index.php

District 7&8 Planning Advisory Council Reports and Agendas

The District 7&8 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: http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/D78PAC/index.php