News

A provincial election has been called! Council has asked all three provincial parties invite a designate to speak with Council about the provincial-municipal relationship. I’ll be posting a list of candidates in the three ridings that are a part of the municipal district.

We had a busy Council meeting last week. Some highlights for me are that Regional Council awarded a tender for the streetscaping project on Argyle and Grafton St, as well as the Dartmouth Sportsplex Revitalization and the Fort Needham Memorial Park as per the Fort Needham Master Plan Implementation. These major projects have all been a long time coming.

Council approved a staff recommendation to begin the process of establishing a new composting system, expanding and updating the composting site along the Prospect Road. The Strategy will aim to see HRM’s organics capacity increase from 50,000 tonnes per year to 60,000 tonnes per year, and seeks to minimize cost and impacts to the community. Council also voted in favour of staff re-examining allowing grass clippings in green bins.

We also debated Blue Mountain Birch Cove. HRM has a longstanding interest in acquiring lands or the right to lands in order to establish a regional park in the Blue Mountain Birch Cove wilderness area. In September 2016, Halifax Regional Council rejected a report recommendation that would have allowed for the development of some of the lands, instead directing staff to look at alternative options for establishing a park in the area. Since November 2016, HRM staff has been engaged in discussions with federal and provincial governments, private land owners, and conservation and community groups. Regional Council directed staff to continue to undertake and advance discussions to acquire the land or land rights, and to report back to Council with any prospective terms, conditions and costs.

Finally, thank you for your input on LED lights. Some love them, some hate them, some just want them dimmed! If you have a particular problem with the lights near your home, please call 311 and ask that it be investigated. Crews are making adjustments, as with any major project there are things that need to be tweaked as we go.

Once the installation is complete HRM will look at dimming the lights on residential streets, dropping the light levels on less busy streets late at night, and other issues. We want to see how the leaf cover effects the light levels on the road, and season adjustments may have to be considered. It will be some time before we hear back from NS Medical Officer of Health about the light colour issues.

Public Notices & Meetings

Almon Street Bike Lane Public Engagement Session

Wednesday, May 3 2017 6:30-8pm | Halifax Forum, Maritime Hall

Planning is currently underway to add bike lanes on Almon Street to enhance safety and add to a growing network of bicycle lanes in the municipality. This public engagement session will give residents the opportunity to give their feedback and learn more about the proposed bike lane. More information is available at http://halifax.ca/cycling/bikelanes.php

Halifax Regional Council

Tuesday, May 9 2017 10am | Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers

The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday, May 9that 10am at Halifax City Hall. Agenda and reports are posted by noon on Friday prior to the meeting date and are available at http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

Town Hall Meeting – Advisory Committee for Accessibility in the Halifax Regional Municipality

Monday, May 15 2017 6-8:30pm | Citadel High School, Portia White Atrium

There will be a Town Hall hosted by HRM and the Accessibility Advisory Committee to discuss and gather input on current projects relating to corporate facility design and construction, parks and recreation, winter operations, accessible transit, municipal compliance, and 311 contact centres. The Town Hall will begin with staff presentations from each of these departments, followed by questions and comments from the public. Sighted guides, ASL interpretation, and CART service will be provided. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Liam MacSween at macswel@halifax.ca or 902-490-6521.

Participatory Budgeting 2017 – Proposal Deadline May 15th

District 7 residents are once again invited to provide input into how $94,000 in district capital funding ought to be spent. The funds will be allocated using a Participatory Budgeting model whereby residents submit community project ideas and qualifying submissions are voted on by the community. The proposal deadline for this year’s projects is Monday, May 15th at midnight. Proposals can be emailed to melody.campbell@halifax.ca or by mail to Melody Campbell, Council Support office, PO Box 1749 Halifax, NS B3J 3A5.

Youth Institute on Canada in the World – Applications due May 31st

Undergraduate students are invited to apply for a 10-day, all expenses paid program in Ottawa to explore Canada’s major foreign policy questions, meet experts in the field, and draft a policy vision for the future. The program will take place from September 30 – October 8, 2017 and is an initiative of Fulbright Canada. For more information on this great opportunity, please visit www.fulbright.ca/canada150

Community Events

Us and Them Screening

Friday, May 5 2017 7-9:30pm | Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Join filmmaker Krista Loughton and the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre for a screening of the much buzzed about film, Us and Them. The film chronicles Loughton’s personal experiences befriending four chronically homeless people and how, using the First Nations Medicine Wheel, she digs deep into the root causes of homelessness and addiction. This screening is free for all to attend. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/us-and-them-halifax-tickets-34056193993

Feed Nova Scotia Volunteer Information Session

Thursday, May 9 2017 9am-10:30am | Feed Nova Scotia, 213 Bedford Highway

Feed Nova Scotia will be hosting a volunteer information session for residents interested in learning more about the many ways to get involved with the organization. Information and volunteer application forms are available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/feed-nova-scotias-tuesday-may-9th-volunteer-information-session-tickets-33704745802

NSCC NOVAFest

NOVAFest is an annual spring music festival put on by NSCC Music Arts students who plan, book, promote, and play shows during the entire month of May. NOVA stands for New Music, Outstanding Performance, Various Genres, and Aspiring Artists and is an excellent opportunity for residents to check out emerging artists on the Halifax music scene. For more information and a full schedule of shows, visit https://nsccnovafest.wordpress.com/about/

Halifax Crafters Society Spring Market

May 6-7, 2017 10am-5pm | Olympic Community Centre

Join the Halifax Crafters Society for their annual Spring Market taking place May 6th and 7th. The Market will feature local artisans and crafters of jewellery, leather, papercaft, ceramic, textiles, cosmetics, and much more! A full line-up of crafters is available by visiting http://halifaxcrafters.ca/shows/spring-2017/ Admission is free.

Timeraiser150 Halifax

Monday, May 15 2017 7pm | Halifax Central Library

Timeraiser is a party for social good, supporting artists and non-profits in our community. Attendees at Timeraiser are invited to bid volunteer time, rather than dollars, for original art by emerging Canadian artists. Bidding starts at 20 hours and maxes out at 150 hours. There will be an auction, live performances, and delicious local food and drink. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1995805680646848/

Scotiabank Bluenose Marathon

May 19-21, 2017 | Halifax, NS

The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is back for another year and is taking place May 19-21 in Halifax! The Marathon is the largest east of Ottawa, with over 13,000 runners and walkers taking part each year. There are options for all levels, including a full marathon, half marathon, 5KM and Youth Run. For more information, please visit http://bluenosemarathon.com/

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 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. 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