News
2026 Participatory Budgeting:
Participatory budgeting is returning to District 5 on June 2! Participatory budgeting gives residents a chance to have a direct say in how District 5’s capital funds are allocated. Together, we’ll award $50,000 to community groups that make a difference here in Dartmouth. If you haven’t been to participatory budgeting before, the way it works is groups setup science fair style and then residents circulate to hear the various pitches and decide what projects they want to support. Any District 5 resident can vote, including kids. For ballots to be valid, you must select five projects. At the end of the night, all the votes are counted and funding is awarded.
Right now the immediate task is for interested non-profits to apply! The maximum possible award is $10,000 ($5,000 if a group received funding in 2025). To ensure that people don’t vote for a project that turns out to be ineligible, applications must be submitted and vetted in advance. Funding must be clearly a capital expense, and not an ongoing operating expense. Eligible non-profits must be either located in District 5 or have some clear ties to District 5. Being located in District 5 is self-explanatory. Having clear ties is a bit fuzzier. An example of a group with strong ties to District 5 that received funding in the past would be the Dartmouth Crossing Speed Skating Club, which operates out of the 4 Pad in Burnside. The Club’s homebase is geographically very close to District 5, and a lot of the membership comes from District 5, so the Club passes the test of being reasonably connected to District 5 without being physically located in the District.
Besides the potential funding, past feedback from non-profits, even those that weren’t successful, is that the experience of getting in a room with some of the most engaged folks in District 5 had value in itself. All of the participating non-profits came away with more community awareness of their activities and, in some cases, new volunteers and program participants.
To be part of District 5’s 2026 Participatory Budget, projects must be submitted by 5:00 pm on May 29. For more information and to submit a project, please reach out to my constituency coordinator Nadine Yuriev by email at nadine.yuriev@halifax.ca or by phone at 782-200-8712.
Voting will take place on June 2, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Findlay Community Centre.
Silver’s Hill Path:
Sometimes it’s the little things that can take so much time in my job. Several years ago, I made a motion for HRM to acquire two pathways in District 5 that were being used by the public, but were actually on private property. The first joined Lynn Drive to Regency Drive across the Holy Trinity Church property. The second was even more heavily used, the pathway from the end of Canterbury Street to Silvers Road above Hawthorne Street. Staff assessed and agreed that both pathways were important connections and that HRM should formally acquire property rights to preserve them for public use. The Lynn-Regency trail was secured in 2025, but Silver’s has taken a bit longer.
The Silver’s pathway is the remains of the driveway to the original Silver’s house at the corner of Camden Street and Wyndholme Avenue. Despite always being privately-owned, the pathway has been treated as if it were public property over the years, with the old City of Dartmouth even doing maintenance and repair work at various times. That sort of informal approach to property rights doesn’t really work anymore and to ensure the path can be preserved and properly maintained, HRM needed an actual ownership stake.
The property owner, who lives in the neighbourhood, was amendable, but also wanted to explore his subdivision options. It took a while to sort out what would work for both parties. In the end, HRM didn’t take an easement in the property, but acquired a newly subdivided off portion that includes the whole trail. The deal closed in March and as a result, HRM now owns the shortcut down to Hawthorne Street.
With HRM now owning the trail, the next piece will be to figure out an approach to maintenance. No work has been done on the trail in a while so staff will need to assess the condition of the asphalt (bad to terrible!) and consider where and when repairs might happen. I know the knotweed on this section has been closing in and I’m hoping that HRM will be able to start cutting it back this season now that it’s ours. Givne the slope, it’s unlikely, however, that a change from the current “no winter maintenance” will be possible. This route won’t likely be added to the snow clearing list. I’m pleased that this is finally done and want to extend my thanks to the property owner for being agreeable to work with HRM on this.
Bayers Road Bus Route Changes
Work is about to begin on the next phase of the Bayers Road Transit Priority Corridor. Construction will get underway on Bayers Road between Connaught Avenue and Windsor Street starting on Monday, May 18. As a result of the construction, bus stops between Connaught and Windsor on Bayers Road will not be serviced. Bus routes will be adjusted starting on Monday with routes that previously travelled on this portion of Bayers Road shifting to Almon Street. Several bus stops between Bayers and Oxford are also impacted as a result of the rerouting. Transit will have new temporary stops on Almon, Connaught, and Windsor to compensate. Affected buses are the 1, 8, 192, 194, 196 and the 330. The most likely impact from a District 5 perspective would be the #1, so if you regularly travel to the Bayers Road area, check ahead to see how you might need to adjust your trip. For more information, check out HRM’s website here.
Fluoride Update
A quick update on Halifax Water’s work to restore fluoride to Dartmouth’s watersupply. The fluoride system at Lake Major failed back in 2020. Halifax Water had plans to replace the system, but space in the water plant ended up being required for additional Alum storage. Alum is a core part of the water treatment process as it allows for the removal of organics from the water. Lake Major has seen a steady increase in organics in the water, requiring much more Alum to treat the water, creating a need for more storage in the plant.
Unfortunately, the only place to put the Alum storage was where the fluoride tank use to be, which has greatly increased the timeline for the return of fluoride. Halifax Water was planning to reinstall the fluoride system alongside major plant upgrades in the next 5-10 years, but after the fluoride issue became public, the Utility revisited the matter and identified a quicker solution. Halifax Water is currently finalizing the fluoride systems design and expects to go to tender in the next few months. The Utility is on track to restore fluoride in 2027.
Real Time Transit Alerts
Transit has launched a new more responsive alert page for transit disruptions. The page is real time so as disruptions are entered, they will be automatically recorded on the webpage. I would love to eventually see more integration with mobile phones/HFX Alerts, but for now, this is a start! Visit Transit’s page here for real time alerts.
One Membership Pricing
HRM is enhancing the benefits of membership at its various recreational facilities. Members of any HRM-owned rec facility, such as the Zatzman Sportsplex, can now access any other HRM facility at a 75% discount. The idea is that if you’re a member of the Sportsplex, or Cole Harbour Place, or the Canada Games Centre etc, you should be able to reasonably access HRM’s other facilities. If you work out at the Sportsplex during the week but want to use the Captain Spry’s wave pool on the weekend, you can now at a fairly nominal cost. HRM did consider implementing a one-membership approach to all facilities, but the logistics and pricing complexities of adopting that kind of model were significant. A reduced access approach was much more doable in the here and now and better aligned with the public feedback that was collected. It also gives HRM the chance to assess usage and demand. The program is a pilot project that Council will review again in future. This is something I pushed for over the years and I’m glad to see it finally launched!
Curbside Giveaway Weekend
HRM’s annual curbside giveaway weekend is coming up. On June 6 and 7th residents are invited to put any old items that are no longer needed at the curb for others to reuse. This is your chance to free yourself of clutter, find some great free items of your own, and reduce how much material goes to the landfill. Click here for more information. Happy hunting!
Public Gardens Greenhouse Tours
HRM will be opening its municipal greenhouse to the public on Saturday, May 16. Come check out the greenhouses, meet municipal gardeners, and learn more about the plants and flowers grown for municipal parks and green spaces. Staff will be on site to answer questions about planting, growing practices and the work that goes into keeping municipal spaces looking their best throughout the season. The event will take place from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Sackville Street Greenhouses at 5711 Sackville Street. Parking is available on site. No registration is required.
Mobile Special Waste Drop-Off
After touring the Public Gardens Greenhouse, head to Mic Mac Mall to get rid of special household waste. HRM will be hodling a mobile drop-off at Mic Mac Mall on Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Here’s a graphic from HRM’s solid waste folks about what you can get rid of at a mobile drop-off.
Micro-Mobility Pilot Returns
HRM’s micro-mobility pilot has returned for a second season. Last year, there were 122,000 rides taken on Bird’s e-bikes and scooters. This is a tremendous amount of usage! I used a Bird e-bike twice last season to bike from Peninsula Halifax back to Dartmouth. It was fairly easy to sign into and out of, a nice ride, and the electronic assist made climbing the Macdonald Bridge a breeze!
Although the program has been a success in terms of usage, I and the rest of Council have certainly heard complaints about people using scooters unsafely, and about scooters cluttering sidewalks. Scooter riders and cyclists don’t have a monopoly on bad road behaviour. We have challenges with drivers too. It’s a human issue and an enforcement and infrastructure challenge for HRM (often people on scooters are on the sidewalks in situations where they don’t feel safe being on the road, which speaks more to the need for protected spaces for active transportation).
If you note issues regarding the micromobility program, Bird Canada does have a 24/7 response system for complaints. Calls or emails should be made to Bird for:
- If you see an improperly parked e-bike or e-scooter which is blocking the sidewalk, road, bike lane, etc.
- If you see someone riding an e-scooter improperly (e.g. without a helmet, on the sidewalk, doubling up, intoxicated, or under 16 years of age). Unsafe or intoxicated riding can also always be reported directly to law enforcement.
- If you see abandoned Bird helmets
- If you would like to report a damaged/vandalized e-scooter or e-bike
Bird can be reached at 1-866-205-2442 or by email at 311_halifax@birdcanada.co. If the issue isn’t resolved within one business day, you can escalate to HRM by calling 311.
Scooters on the Ferry
One other bit of micromobility news. Halifax Transit has recently updated their rules for scooters on the ferry. Privately-owned scooters are now allowed on board. Transit is in the process of updating its website policies and guidelines to reflect the change. The ferry has the capacity to carry 11 e-bikes and three e-scooters. One thing to note, Bird scooters, are not permitted on board. Space is limited on the ferry and, given that there are Bird locations on both sides of the Harbour near the Ferry Terminals, HRM expects folks using Bird devices to sign out on one side and sign back in on the other side rather than bringing their rented Bird device on board.
Secondary Suite Program Extension
Have you considered adding a secondary suite to your property? As part of the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund, HRM has a grant program that can help. The program offers eligible residents up to $13,000 per unit to help reduce building expenses related to water and wastewater. HRM has recently adjusted the program and now it’s possible to apply for more than one unit, and eligibility has been extended to non-profits and housing co-ops. HRM has also extended the deadline for the program to October 11, 2026. For more information and to apply visit HRM’s page here.
Home Energy Upgrade Program Launches
As part of HRM’s climate change plan, HalifACT, the municipality is launching a Home Energy Upgrade program. The program is designed to help homeowners cut their energy use by 50 per cent, providing both savings and a more comfortable home environment. The program provides both financing and technical support. Often knowing what to do and how to do it is a barrier for homeowners. The idea here is to make that process as frictionless as possible by providing expert advice. Eligible properties include homes built before 2000, and homes heated with oil. The current financing rate is 4.75% over 10 years. For more information and to apply visit HRM’s website here.
Census Jobs
The 2026 federal census is underway and Statistics Canada is hiring. To complete the census every four years, Stats Canada hires over 30,000 Canadians. Positions are available May through July. Folks are paid $25.87/hour for about 20 hours of work per week. For more information and to apply, visits Stats Canada’s website here.
So Long and Thanks for all the Fish
A bit of a sad day in March. Councillors aren’t like MPs or MLAs when it comes to staff support. We don’t have constituency offices and each of us shares a constituency coordinator with another Councillor. We have a 1/2 employee to help us with whatever non-political stuff needs doing! That half an employee though can make a big difference.
For the last four years, I have had the pleasure of working with Michelle Egan in the Council Support Office. Michelle has provided me with a lot of help, making things like Participatory Budgeting possible, helping with phone call returns, chasing down nuisance issues for residents, managing the administration of my district funds, booking meetings, and generally just keeping me on track. Nothing lasts forever though. Michelle has accepted an assignment elsewhere in HRM so its time to say goodbye. It’s a bittersweet sort of moment! I wanted to acknowledge Michelle’s contribution to District 5 over the last several years. She’s been a joy to work with and I know she dealt with many of you directly. Thanks for everything Michelle!
As of Monday, I have new coordinator. Nadine Yuriev will be helping out with everything District 5 related. Nadine is a long-time employee in HRM’s Council Support Office who is just returning from a multi-year secondment. Given Nadine’s past experience, I’m confident she will be able to hit the ground running and continue the excellent support that District 5 has always received. You can reach Nadine at nadine.yuriev@halifax.ca or by phone at 782-200-8712. Special thanks to Chris Newson for helping out over the last several weeks during this staffing transition.
Thanks Michelle, thanks Chris, and welcome Nadine!
E-Mail Provider
One other bit of administrative news. I have switched e-mail services from MailChimp to EmailOctopus (why they’re both animal names, I don’t know!). I think this should be seamless for all of you. If you’re reading this in your inbox and have any problems or note anything really different, please let me know.
Public Consultation
Open Hour
The February – April period is the most demanding time in the City Hall calendar, with budget deliberations filling up most days. As a result of the time committments of budget season, I had to pause Open Hours at the end of January. With budget deliberations now behind me though, I’m going to be restarting Open Hour.
The idea of Open Hour is I plop myself down on at a local coffee shop and anyone who wants 5-10 minutes of my time is welcome to pop by, no appointment necessary. It’s a way of making myself available to constituents who mightn’t want to schedule a formal meeting. Here’s what I have for Open Hour over the next few weeks:
- Friday, May 22, Marco Polo
- Wednesday, May 27, North Grove
- Friday, June 19, Port City
My job is such that sometimes, stuff that I can’t control comes up so please check my bluesky or facebook page the day of to make sure Open Hour is indeed a go!
Centre Plan Design Review Survey
The Centre Plan came fully into effect five years ago in 2021. There has been a lot of new development since then and so it’s a good time to review how the plan’s design requirements have been working. HRM is collecting feedback to assess how new housing can better reflect the look and feel of existing communities. The goal is new development that complements and fits into existing neighbourhoods. HRM has a survey open on the Municipal website to gather public feedback. You can take the survey anytime up until Sunday, May 31 by clicking here.
Policing Survey
The Board of Police Commissioners (BoPC) are looking for feedback on policing in HRM. The Board has launched a survey to assess community perceptions on policing, crime and more. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed here.
Parks and Rec Youth Services Plan
Every three years, Parks and Recreation completes a Youth Services Plan to identify issues relevant to youth aged 13-24 and to respond to their changing needs, values and priorities. A new plan is currently being developed for 2026–2029 and Parks and Rec is looking for feedback. If you’re between 13-24 you can take the survey online here. If you’re more the “young at heart” demographic, but do have someone in your circle in this age bracket, please pass the survey link onto them. There is a prize draw from the completed survey applications (Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch, Apple AirPods). HRM will also be completing in-person engagement so stay tuned for opportunities to discuss the Plan in person. For more information and to complete the survey visit HRM’s webpage here.
Road Safety Survey
HRM is inviting residents to share their feedback through its annual Road Safety Survey. The Road Safety Survey helps HRM understand how safe residents feel using roads allows HRM to track changes in feelings over time. Survey results are used alongside collision data and technical analysis to help inform road safety priorities, including infrastructure improvements, education initiatives and enforcement efforts. The survey is open to all residents, regardless of how they travel and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The survey will be open from May 14 until June 5 at 11:59 pm and can be completed online here.
Active School Travel Survey
HRM is looking for input on active school travel. The Active School Travel Baseline Study will help HRM better understand opportunities and challenges for safer school travel routes across the municipality. Input from students, parents and caregivers, school staff and the broader community will help inform future planning, infrastructure improvements, and education and promotion programs that support safer and more active school-based travel. The survey is open from May 4 to 29 and will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. To complete the survey, visit HRM’s website here.
Council Updates
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, May 12
A catch-up edition covering Council’s decision on supplemental funding, the building with extra floors on Wyse Road, and the approval of the M District redevelopment at Mic Mac Mall. Read it here
Events
Downtown Dartmouth Food Crawl
Thursday, May 21, 5:30 – 8:00 pm (or till the food is sold out)
Come discover all the good eats in Downtown Dartmouth! The Food Crawl is a self guided sampling tour through Downtown Dartmouth, showcasing the locally owned and operated food and retail shops. Participating shops offer a small, sample size food item, for a low dollar amount. Visit the Downtown Dartmouth website for more info, including a listing of participating restaurants.
Downtown Dartmouth Spring Clean-Up
Thursday, May 28, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Tim Hortons, 207 Portland Street
The Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission’s annual spring clean-up will take place on Thursday May 28. The Commission provide materials and disposes of all the collected garbage. All you need to do is show up ready to help make a difference in our Downtown. This year’s event begins at the Tim Hortons at 207 Portland Street. Please RSVP to info@downtowndartmouth.ca.
Grace United Plant and New To You Sale
Saturday, May 30, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
It wouldn’t be spring without Grace United’s annual plant sale! Swing by Grace United for some new plants for the garden.
Scan-a-thon
Saturday June 6th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Keshen Goodman Library
The Municipal Archives will be holding a scan-a-thon at the Keshen Goodman Library. If you have old photographs, slides or negatives showing what your neighbourhood used to look like, bring them to this drop-in scan-a-thon. Archivists will record everything you know about the images, then carefully scan them so you and future researchers will have a digital copy to share. Contributors can either donate the original photograph and keep a digital copy, or can donate the digital copy to the Archives and take the original back home. This is a great opportunity to leave a lasting record of our local history!