
News
Green Power Deal
If you read HRM’s regular community updates on the municipal climate change plan, HalifACT, you might have caught the news already that HRM has entered into a deal with Renewall Energy Inc to acquire electricity from their Mersey River Wind Farm in Milton, Nova Scotia. This is an important milestone as HRM has committed to greening municipal operations and reaching net-zero emissions by 2030. HRM has been installing solar panels, investing in energy retrofits, and has begun to electrify the municipal vehicle fleet, but without a source of green electricity, there is no way for HRM to reach net-zero. We can’t do it without renewable energy.
With that reality in mind, Council gave approval to staff back in May to negotiate power agreements with Renewall and to participate in the Province’s developing Green Choice Program. The intent was for HRM to pursue both options. I’m pleased that an agreement has been reached with Renewall, which means HRM will begin receiving green electricity from the Mersey River Wind Farm by the end of 2025. The deal with Renewall isn’t only good for the environment, but should save HRM money as the rate for power is less than Nova Scotia Power’s and will only increase by a modest 1% per year. Good news for the environment and taxpayers alike.
Meanwhile, the Green Choice option is advancing as well. The Province released news on Monday that thanks to the participation of HRM and other large power customers, Green Choice will result in the single largest development of renewable energy in Nova Scotia’s history. Six new wind farms are slated for development by 2028 to meet the power demand of HRM, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Halifax Water, universities and the community college, the federal and provincial governments, and several large businesses. Change is happening! To read the full release from the Province on Green Choice check out their page here.
Getting HRM to purchase green energy is something that I have been strongly in favour of and I’m glad that the deal with Renewall has come together to green some of HRM’s electric needs this year, with more to come through Green Choice in the years ahead. To read more of HRM’s HalifACT updates, check out the HalifACT page here.

Lancaster/Woodland Roundabout
The Province has released its 2025-2026 highway capital plan and the good news is that the planned Lancaster/Woodland Roundabout is once again on the list. The roundabout project has been a long-time in the making, largely because any action at Lancaster/Woodland requires the Province and HRM to work together. Cooperation is the name of the game at Lancaster/Woodland because the municipality owns the side streets (Lancaster and Micmac Boulevard) while the Province owns the major roads (Highway 118 and Woodland Avenue).
Unfortunately, Lancaster/Woodland has been a problematic intersection for some time. It has averaged one or two crashes a month and speeding is prevalent. It has been a concern of the surrounding neighbourhood for a while. To address the issue, HRM and the Province undertook a joint design study of the intersection in 2019, which recommended converting it to a roundabout. A roundabout has the advantage of eliminating dangerous left-hand turns across traffic and forcing everyone coming off the highway to slow down as opposed to the current Jeykl and Hyde situation where speed on Woodland Avenue is very dependent on whether the traffic light at Lancaster is green or red.
The roundabout project is being led by the Province and the intent is that once it is built, ownership will transfer to HRM. The boundary between municipal street and provincial highway will be adjusted to the much more sensible location of where the 118 actually terminates at Lancaster (the Province currently owns Woodland Avenue all the way to Ryland Avenue).
In 2024, the Province allocated funding to build the roundabout, but design work took longer than planned and the Province ran out of time in the 2024 construction season. The good news is that work has carried over as the Province has included the roundabout in the 2025-2026 capital plan. Fingers crossed for construction proceeding this year!

Lynn Drive – Regency Pathway
Sometimes in my job, it’s the little things that can take the longest. With the recent boundary changes, I don’t represent Southadle/Gaston Road anymore, but a piece of work that I have been pushing for several years has finally come to fruition: the pathway between Lynn Drive and Regency Drive by the Church of the Holy Spirit is now publicly-owned.
The Lynn – Regent pathway has been around since the neighbourhood was built decades ago, and is an important connection given that Lynn Drive really doesn’t connect well with its surroundings. The pathway became a local issue in 2017 when the Church sold the former Rectory at 21 Lynn Drive. Prior to the sale, the pathway was 100% owned by the Church and was a shortcut for folks in the neighbourhood as well as the Rector. The new owner of 21 Lynn Drive though decided that he didn’t want a public pathway adjacent to his home and tried to block it off. To be fair to the owner, there was no public easement or ownership of the pathway and there are legitimate concerns around liability for anyone who allows the public to use their land.
Nevertheless, blocking the Lynn – Regent pathway touched off a local battle of wills where the fence across the path that the owner put up was repeatedly torn down. Not a good situation for anyone! Given the importance of this pedestrian connection for the community, I took the issue to Council and Council approved staff’s recommendation for HRM to purchase the walkway. I couldn’t discuss this publicly until now because real estate motions take place in camera so as to not give away HRM’s negotiating position.
As luck would have it, the ownership of 21 Lynn Drive changed again and the new owner was a long-time local resident who was very amendable to HRM taking ownership of the pathway. The Church was open to the idea too, but had some concerns about potential impacts on their parking lot if HRM built a standard street-to-street walkway. What eventually emerged from discussions is that HRM has taken an easement over the land, guaranteeing public access to the trail. The trail is undersized for what HRM would normally require for a street-to-street walkway, and the Church’s existing parking lot will remain as is (HRM won’t be building a connection across it). Given the low-volume of vehicles in the Church’s parking lot and that this informal path has crossed it for decades with no problem, this felt like a good compromise.
It took a while to get here, but I’m glad that this pathway is now protected by a municipal easement and it won’t go the route of other informal pathways that have disappeared over time. Many thanks to the Church, the homeowner at 21 Lynn Drive, and to HRM staff for making this happen.

New Gym Equipment Albro Lake
I have had a few people reach out asking what’s with the new concrete pad at Big Albro Lake? The pad is the base for new outdoor gym equipment. When HRM put in the new playground last year, a bunch of old outdoor gym equipment that was at the end of its life was removed from the Park. Parks and Rec and I didn’t have a good sense for how well used the equipment was until it was removed and people began contacting us looking for a replacement.
The playground budget, unfortunately, didn’t include funds for new gym equipment so I committed funding from the District 5 capital pot to install gym equipment this year. What will eventually be installed at Big Albro will be a single piece that provides for stretching and strength training. It’s actually the exact same style of equipment that is currently in place at Henry Findlay Park by Lake Banook.

The work is somewhat weather dependent, but HRM’s contractor is expecting to install the outdoor gym in the next few weeks. HRM is also considering a swing-set, and shoreline naturalization outside the immediate beach area as potential future projects at Big Albro. Thank you to everyone who reached out to let HRM and I know how important the gym equipment was so that we could get it reinstated.

Findlay Pottery Studio
You may have missed it (I did) but the Findlay Community Centre’s pottery studio has reopened! Programming resumed in the fall for the first time since COVID. The pottery studio was closed for several years coming out of COVID so that work could be completed in the space. New air handling capabilities have been installed in the space, alongside electrical upgrades, and a newly levelled concrete floor. This coming year, Parks and Rec is looking to add a second kiln to the space. I know the pottery studio is a beloved and unique offering in Parks and Rec’s programming and I’m glad that it’s back.
The program spaces for the Winter are almost all full, but there are still three spaces available for 13-16 year olds. So if you have a teen that likes pottery and missed that the studio was back, there is still some space available. To register, visit HRM Rec here.
Small Business Opportunity, Shubie Park
After many years serving burgers, tacos and lemonade at Shubie Park, Lemon Dogs is passing the torch on the Lockside Cafe at Shubie Park. The Shubenacadie Canal Commission is excited to offer the space for lease. The Cafe is located at the trailhead of Shubie Park (54 Locks Rd., Dartmouth, NS) just off the parking lot at the Fairbanks Centre. The Commission is looking for a passionate, community-focused operator to enhance the park experience with quality food and beverage offerings. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is open. To learn more and apply check out the Commission’s website here.
2025 Community Grants Applications
HRM is now accepting 2025 community grants applications. Non-profits can receive funding of up to $5,000 for a project grant or up to $25,000 for a capital grant. Funding is awarded by category: (1) arts and crafts, (2) diversity and inclusion, (3) environment, (4) emergency assistance and neighbourhood safety, (5) history, (6) leisure, and (7) recreation. Recipients from 2024 in and around District 5 included Christ Church for their community water fountain

I would encourage all non-profits to take a look at the Community Grants program. It’s money that will be awarded to someone, why not you? You can check out the eligibility criteria in the program booklet online on the municipal grants page here. Applications are due by April 1!
Inclusion Support Advisory Group
HRM is accepting applications for its new Inclusion Support Advisory Group in Recreation Programming. This group will help identify key priorities reflecting the needs of the disability community and will be tasked with the development of an Inclusion Support Analysis and Evaluation of HRM’s Parks and Recreation department. This is an opportunity to shape the future of the HRM’s inclusivity efforts and access to recreation programming. The group will consist of between eight to 12 people, with representation from persons with disabilities, parents of children and youth with disabilities, and service providers of persons with disabilities. The deadline to apply is March 3. Please visit HRM’s website here for more information.
Public Consultation

Dartmouth Cove Bylaw
Today is the last day to provide feedback to HRM’s planning department on potential bylaw changes that would restrict harbour infilling on water lots in and around Dartmouth Cove. I have been ccd on a lot of correspondence already! Thank you to everyone for engaging in this process.
There has been a lot of concern around infill in Dartmouth Cove, but the issue has suffered from jurisdictional complications. The issue with Pre-Confederation water lots is that they fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The problem with that is the federal government only looks at approving infill through a narrow lens of their own responsibilities around fish and navigation. The federal government doesn’t have expertise or a role in broader planning matters. The order of government that does is municipalities like HRM. Planning is a core municipal responsibility, but when it comes to water lots HRM doesn’t have the legal authority to regulate their use. To square this circle, HRM and the Feds need to work together. HRM needs the Feds legal power and the Feds need HRM’s expertise.
HRM is considering bylaw changes now because, after a few false starts, the Feds have indicated that they are willing to make approvals of infill applications around Dartmouth Cove contingent on compliance with municipal bylaws. This is the same approach that HRM and the Feds agreed to use in the Northwest Arm. The key considerations that HRM is looking at are:
- Potentially limit infilling activities in Dartmouth Cove to public uses and limited shoreline protection
- Potentially require a development permit for any infilling activity in Dartmouth Cove
- Potentially designate and zone water lots in Dartmouth Cove as “Water Access”. This would prevent water lots from taking on the abutting zoning if infilled. The Water Access (WA) Zone currently limits the use of infilled water lots to the following uses: boat clube, conservation, park, water access structure, historic site or monument, temporary construction, utility
Feedback can be submitted to Rhys Burnell at Rhys.Burnell@halifax.ca.
Once the public engagement portion of this project concludes, staff will prepare a report with potential bylaw amendments for Council to consider. Should Council wish to proceed, a public hearing will be scheduled at City Hall to consider the change. At the public hearing, anyone who wants to provide input will have a chance to address Council.
Minimum Planning Requirements
HRM has opened public engagement on changes that the Province is mandating that HRM make to our planning bylaws. For the most part, this doesn’t affect the Regional Centre that much because much of what is being mandated was already done through the Centre Plan. Changes such as counting height in storeys rather than meters so as to not disadvantage timber construction, and eliminating parking requirements have already happened in Dartmouth Centre. This mostly a bigger deal for the suburbs where HRM’s Suburban Plan hasn’t been completed.
That said, there are three issues that I’m concerned with:
- A requirement to consider prioritizing housing above all else (what this might mean for environmentally sensitive areas or HRM’s ability to direct development to the best locations is a bit unknown)
- A temporary relaxation of the usual requirement for a mix of units in new development. Someone could build a building all of 1 bedrooms versus the usual requirements that HRM mandates 2 and 3 bedrooms as well
- A temporary removal of the requirement for groundfloor commercial in new development, which could be problematic on main streets where whatever is built will be around for decades and the municipality wants an attractive streetscape
This public consultation is more informational on this one. HRM might be able to shift some of the details, but the overall direction isn’t optional. It’s being imposed by the Province. For more information, check out the Shape Your City page here.

Budget Deliberations
We’re entering the busiest time of the year at City Hall: budget season. Council’s budget deliberations are a major undertaking that involves every department coming to City Hall and presenting their proposed activities for the coming year. Council then has the chance to review, ask questions, and move potential changes for additional consideration.
Council doesn’t prepare the budget in a bubble. Every budget meeting begins with public participation, giving the public an opportunity to present to Council on any municipal budget item. Since virtually everything that HRM does has some sort of budgetary implication, this is really an open-ended opportunity to address Council on whatever you feel is important. Not a whole lot of people take HRM up on the opportunity, but I have seen public presentations at budget change debates and outcomes. Public participation is typically scheduled at the beginning of the meeting (just after 9:30). Here’s the budget meeting schedule
- Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
Budget Introduction and Capital Plan Recommendation - Wednesday, Feb. 12 (Contingency: Friday, Feb. 14)
Public Safety (including Community Safety; Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency; Halifax Regional Police; and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Halifax Regional Detachment) - Wednesday, Feb. 19 and Thursday, Feb. 20 (Contingency: Friday, Feb. 21)
Operations (including Halifax Transit; Parks & Recreation; Planning & Development; Property, Fleet & Environment; and Public Works) - Wednesday, Feb. 26 (Contingency: Friday, Feb. 28)
Corporate Services (including Chief Administrative Office; Finance & Asset Management; Human Resources; Information Technology; and Legal & Legislative Services) - Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Budget Adjustment List (BAL) Review
The BAL includes all additional items that departments have presented beyond their proposed budgets, including add-ons (“overs”) and subtractions (“unders”) that Council has voted to give further consideration - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 – Budget Approval
This usually an anti-climatic formality as the budget is really finalized with the Budget Adjustment List
If you’re interested in addressing Council during budget deliberations and are looking for more information, you can contact the Clerk’s Office at clerks@halifax.ca
Council Update
To keep you informed about what is going on at Council, I’m writing a regular blog after Council meetings. Each of my entries is about what I saw as noteworthy from a District 5 perspective and my views on the issues. We might not always agree, but I think it’s important to provide a record of how I voted and why.
Council Update, January 28
The big Windsor Street Exchange debate. Why Council turned the project down and some thoughts on what happens next. Read about it here.
Council Update, January 14
Some work that I have been pushing is now complete: HRM now has a Parks Lighting Strategy. Still to do? An implementation plan so that it doesn’t become pretty pictures on a shelf. Read about it here.
Events
Ice Festival
January 31 – February 2
Downtown Dartmouth
One of the biggest weekends of the year in Downtown Dartmouth, the Ice Festival starts today and runs for the whole weekend. There is so much happening that it’s hard to fit it into a single write up. There will be live Ice carving on Portland Street on Saturday from noon to 4:00 and the street will be closed for what has really become a February street party. There will be games, music, and entertainment. Everyone’s favourite Dingos, Bluey and Bingo will be around at Alderney Landing and Alderney Library will be screening Frozen with a special ice princess guest. Plus, a giant igloo in Ferry Terminal Park for music. For complete details check out the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission’s page here.
Interfaith Harmony Week
Saturday, February 1, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Halifax Central Library
HRM is home to people from all around the world. Our community is home to people from many different faiths. Interfaith Harmony Halifax seeks to foster interfaith awareness, understanding, appreciation, respect, diversity, inclusion and peace. Interfaith week kicks of on February 1 at the Central Library. Come enjoy an afternoon of songs, readings, dance, art and snacks. All are welcome. To check out all the events going on around HRM for Interfaith Week check out Interfaith Harmony Halifax’s page here.
Winterfest
Saturday, February 8, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Shubie Park
54 Locks Road
Come visit Shubie Park and enjoy live music, a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, a craft table, food truck, hot chocolate, mascots and much more.
There has been 3 MV pedestrian collisions in the past 4 weeks 2 of them fatal 1 of fatal was in district 5. In the past 2 years nothing has been done to make it safer in HRM Even to cross a residential street like Slayter St drivers who shortcut through such streets do not slow down let alone stop for pedestrian even at marked sidewalks or even when they have the flashing overhead amber lights . Another problem is HRM not fixing flashing overhead signal when a problem is reported An example is the new rapid signal in front of Dartmouth High where the activation button was not working for weeks and it was reported times to 311 .another is at Pinehill /Woodland and Nantucket/ Green Rd the overhead light that is suppose to light up the crosswalk not working since November
When comes to safety HRM has to get its act together and more things to keep the Motor Vehicle Collisions down and stop making excuses
I would like to see your data on these things you cite. Most of the time you could fire a cannon down Slayter St and hit nothing as it is usually not very busy at all. We live in a city where some traffic must be expected, not a wildnerness park. Please do not give the councillor misleading reports that will incite him to waste more of our money on traffic impediments based on hearsay and misguided opinions.