News

I heard Bob Murphy on CBC Mainstreet say “it’s the dog days of summer” this week and I thought “oh that can’t be right” and then realized, yes indeed it is the longest, warmest, hottest part of summer,and time keeps flying by! What that means in the municipality is that meetings slow to a trickle and road paving ramps up considerably.

For those of you that missed it I wrote a short blog on “when do we get the sidewalks back” earlier this week. Private construction drops off quickly over the next couple months and the frustrating and chaotic feel of downtown should drop off with it.

There are many major projects and plans landing in the next few months, once we hit the fall. Green network, integrated mobility, Schmidtville, Old South Suburb, Downtown Dartmouth, Centre Plan. For the rest of the summer though, you can mostly take time off and enjoy it!

There is one big report coming Tuesday to council. The much awaited report on what we should do with all the development proposals that are in the pre-Centre Plan queue will be available for the public to read later this afternoon. I’d love to hear your thoughts! The report will be available here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council/august-1-2017-halifax-regional-council

I’ll be away for large chunks of August taking vacation and family time. When I am away my amazing assistant Melody will be able to help, or she will have it for me to deal with when I return. Have a great summer!

Public meetings and hearings

Halifax Regional Council

Tuesday, August 1st and Tuesday August 15th, 2017 | Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers

The next meetings of Halifax Regional Council will take place on the following dates:

Tuesday, August 1st at 2pm

Tuesday, August 15th 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

Pinball Takeover

August 4-6, 2017 | Halifax Central Library

Those aged 12 years and up are invited to join the Halifax Pinball League at The Creative Lab in the Halifax Central Library for a weekend of play on vintage pinball machines. Pinball pros will be onsite to answer questions, so drop in anytime during these hours:

Friday, August 4 th – 2-6pm

– 2-6pm Saturday, August 5 th – 9am-6pm

– 9am-6pm Sunday August 6th – 12noon-3pm

Halifax International Busker Festival

August 4-7, 2017 | Halifax Waterfront

The Halifax International Busker Festival is the oldest and largest of its kind in Canada and features performers from around the world. Come out and watch them perform a wide variety of street theatre, acrobatics, music, visual arts, fire displays and comedy. Admittance to the festival is free, but it is asked that you show performers your appreciation of their talents by tipping the hat! For more information visit http://www.buskers.ca/

Natal Day Celebrations

August 4-7, 2017 | various locations around HRM

Come out and celebrate the city’s 122nd Halifax-Dartmouth Natal Day! A total of 30 individual events are planned and include family activities, live concerts, talent showcases, one of the oldest parades in Atlantic Canada, and a spectacular fireworks show on the Halifax Harbour. A few highlights below:

Saturday, August 5, 2017

9-10am – Free yoga at the Halifax Public Gardens

1-5pm – Mayor and Council Garden Party Halifax Public Gardens. Featuring live music, children’s activities, snacks and refreshments, and the ever-popular robot-making site.

10pm – Fireworks on the Halifax Harbour

– Free yoga at the Halifax Public Gardens – Mayor and Council Garden Party Halifax Public Gardens. Featuring live music, children’s activities, snacks and refreshments, and the ever-popular robot-making site. – Fireworks on the Halifax Harbour Sunday, August 6 th 2017

1pm – Natal Day Family Celebration on the Halifax Commons

1-4:45pm – Bridgewalk 2017 on the MacDonald Bridge

– Natal Day Family Celebration on the Halifax Commons – Bridgewalk 2017 on the MacDonald Bridge Monday August 7, 2017

10am – 122nd Annual Pepsi Natal Day Parade

Noon-9pm – Caribbean Diaspora Multicultural Celebration on the Halifax Commons

All events are designed to be low-cost or no cost and there is something planned for every age. For more information, visit http://natalday.org/

Atlantic Film Festival Outdoor Film Experience

Friday, August 11, 2017 | Halifax Public Gardens

The Atlantic Film Festival Outdoor Film Experience is screening a sample of Canadian comedies in the Halifax Public Gardens at dusk. The event on August 11th will be a double-bill featuring the films Meatballs and Strange Brew. For more information, please visit http://www.finfestival.ca/aff-outdoor-film-festival

India Fest Halifax

August 11-13, 2017 | Halifax Forum

Come out and enjoy the incredible experience of Indian culture with food, dance, and music. There will be a variety of clothing, jewellery, and henna. The event runs from 11am-8pm daily. For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1806989946247476/

78th Highlanders Freedom of the City Parade

Friday, August 18 2017 12pm | Grand Parade

Halifax’s military heritage comes to life, as the Halifax Citadel’s 78th Highlanders march from the Citadel to Grand Parade. This time-honored tradition dates as far back as the Roman Empire and features the entire unit on a formal march with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed. For more information, visit www.novascotia.com/events/festivals-and-events/78th-highlanders-freedom-of-the-city-parade/-401

An Evening in the Gardens

Friday August 18, 2017 5-7:30pm | Halifax Public Gardens

This free public event will feature a French tour of the public gardens, followed by an open-air concert with soprano Patricia O’Callaghan, pianist Robert Kortgaard, and bassist Andrew Downing.

Help and more info

Note – after I emailed the newsletter an eagled eyed resident pointed out all the links were to the OLD website. They even sent corrected links! The post below is updated with proper links to the new site.

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