
List of events and notices – here’s what is included:
Update:
- Residential and Commercial Taxes Due June 1st
- Response to COVID-19: Halifax Mobility Response – Streets and Spaces
- Slow Street Implementation
- Updates for Parks & Recreation
- Paid parking and enforcement resuming June 1st
- Halifax Transit increased capacity
- Small Business Reopening and Support Grant
- Reopening toolkits
- Halifax Water Rate information
- Mobile Household Special Waste event and Curbside Giveaway weekend cancelled
- Case 22115: Development Agreement at 2438 Gottingen Street, Halifax, to allow a 16 storey residential building
Items of Interest:
- Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education recruitment
- Northwood is looking for more heroes
- RoadWorks Map (Sidewalk/street Closures & Disruptions)
- Sign up for hfxALERT
- Halifax Water Board Reports
- North End Business Association
- The North End Business Association (NEBA) is hiring
- Quinpool Road Business Association
Contact me:
Phone: 902-579-6975
Email: Lindell.Smith@halifax.ca
Website: www.LindellSmithHfx.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindellSmithHFX/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LindellSmithHFX
311 – HRM’s Call Centre
HRM’s call centre is open 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5:30pm weekends 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/
Please send your feedback on issues before Community Council and Regional Council – and on any municipal issue. If you would like to send your comments to all Regional Councillors please email the Clerk’s Office (clerks@halifax.ca) so that your comments are shared and are part of the public record.
If you would like to send events or information to be possibly included in my e-newsletter, please email with the subject line “E-Newsletter”
Update
Covid-19 Related Information
Residential and Commercial Taxes Due June 1st
Payment of the interim tax bill was originally April 30st, because of Covid-19 the date was moved to June 1, 2020. If you cannot pay your interim tax bill in full, contact HRM staff and negotiate a payment plan.
Response to COVID-19: Halifax Mobility Response – Streets and Spaces
The first phase of the Halifax Mobility Response plan began earlier this week with the widening of sidewalks in high traffic areas, traffic signal modification and the implementation of temporary loading spaces for businesses in downtown Halifax and Dartmouth. Learn more about these changes, here.
Slow Street Implementation:
The following streets will be designated as ‘slow streets’. They will be open to local traffic only, to reduce vehicle volumes and to create a space for residents to walk, roll and cycle while adhering to physical distancing guidelines.
Only those motorists who live, are visiting, or are accessing a business on these streets are considered local traffic.
Halifax:
- Leaman, Drummond, and Isleville streets between Leeds and Almon streets
- Connolly Street between Windsor Street and Chebucto Road
- Elm Street between Chebucto and Quinpool roads
- Beech Street between Quinpool and Jubilee roads
- Peter Lowe Avenue between William Hunt and George Dauphinee avenues
- Liverpool Street between Connaught Avenue and Windsor Street
- Oak and Allan streets between Connaught Avenue and Windsor Street
- Welsford Street between Windsor and Robie streets
- Vernon Street between Pepperell and Watt streets
- LeMarchant Street between Watt Street and University Avenue
- Norwood Street between Connaught Avenue and Preston Street
- Shirley Street between Preston and Robie streets
A Shape Your City Halifax project page has been created to provide residents with an opportunity to share suggestions on where additional actions would be helpful to help residents move safely.
Updates for Parks & Recreation
Parks, sports fields and courts
- Sport tracks and basketball courts are now open for individual, household and household bubble use. Team training and games with individuals not within your household/household bubble remains prohibited under current social distancing measures. Staff are working to open courts as quickly as possible. Your patience is appreciated during this time.
- The municipality is opening grass sport fields for bookings effective June 1st consistent with our standard schedule and will also commence bookings of all-weather fields. All field users will need to follow their sport-specific ‘Return to Play’ activity plan which meets provincial health regulations in order to book a field. The standard municipal booking process will be followed and questions can be directed to facilityscheduling@halifax.ca
- Public washrooms in parks are now open. All washrooms receive daily cleaning.
Beaches, pools and splash pads
- All beaches have reopened, however they are currently unsupervised. Residents can use beaches at their own risk.
- Lifeguards are expected to be in place beginning July 6, subject to hiring availability. The status of all supervised beaches will be communicated before July 6.
- At this time, outdoor pools and splash pads remain closed. Staff are awaiting further details from public health on the possibility of opening some of these facilities this summer.
Recreation programming, recreation centres and summer camps
- The municipality is working on a phased approach for reopening facilities to ensure public health guidelines are being followed. A reopening plan will be shared publicly once finalized.
- Staff are in consultation with public health on the possibility of offering modified summer programming and day camps. Updates will be communicated as decisions are confirmed.
- At this time, recreation staff are sharing virtual activities on our Facebook page and are looking to expand on virtual offerings.
Paid parking and enforcement resuming June 1st
The municipality suspended the enforcement of paid and hourly parking across the municipality in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. As the Province begins to ease restrictions and businesses resume operations, paid parking, hourly parking and enforcement will be resuming effective June 1st, 2020.
- Meters: All parking meters will be “on” and enforced effective June 1st in all areas across the municipality. HotSpot will be reactivated, and all meters will require payment.
- Time-restricted parking and loading: All time-restricted (1 hr., 2 hr. etc.) parking and loading zones (temporary or permanent) will be timed and enforced effective June 1st. New temporary 15-minute parking zones have been installed to facilitate the short- term pick up needs of restaurants and other business. Accessible Parking: Will continue to be fully enforced.
- Permits: All parking permits expiring in March through to June will remain valid until customer service centres reopen. This includes monthly and residential parking permits. Parking Permit zones will be enforced. Once customer service centres reopen, next steps for parking permits purchasing and enforcement will be communicated on the website.
Halifax Transit will increase capacity
Beginning Saturday May 30th, Halifax Transit will increase capacity on conventional buses by once again allowing passengers to stand. A maximum of five passengers will be permitted to stand on conventional buses, at any given time. Standing passengers are asked to monitor physical distancing and should avoid positioning themselves immediately next to seated passengers or other standing passengers. Alternating seats will continue to be blocked off with appropriate signage.
Buses and ferries continue to operate on a reduced schedule and fare collection remains suspended until further notice.
Small Business Reopening and Support Grant
Eligible Businesses, non-profits, charities, social enterprises will be able to access the new Small Business Reopening and Support Grant, a $25 million fund that will provide $5,000 grants to help them open safely and $1,500 business continuity voucher for advice and support to become more resilient in the coming months. This program will be for businesses ordered closed and will also be for small retailers and others who were not ordered to close. More information is available online at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus and applications will begin June 1.
Reopening toolkits
The Halifax Chamber recently released a 5-step plan to help businesses reopen safely. Read the full plan here and find more resources at halifaxchamber.com/covid19.
Halifax Water Rate information
Halifax Water has recommended to the NSUARB that there be no increase in water rates for fiscal 2020/21 and 2021/22. In addition, the utility is recommending no increase in overall wastewater rates in 2020/21 and an increase to wastewater treatment/usage charges effective April 1st, 2021.
To further assist customers, Halifax Water is also withdrawing some planned increases to miscellaneous fees and charges and is recommending the current temporary customer assistance measures in place be extended to August 31, 2020. Disconnection for non-payment of service have been suspended. Customers facing economic impacts due to the COVID-19 situation that will cause them to struggle with paying their accounts are asked to please contact Halifax Water’s Customer Care Centre at customercare@halifaxwater.ca or 902-420-9287 to discuss payment arrangements.
HRM Meetings/Updates
Mobile Household Special Waste event and Curbside Giveaway weekend cancelled
In following with provincial health measures and safe social distancing, the Curbside Giveaway Weekend on June 6th & 7th and the Mobile Household Special Waste event at Mic Mac Mall on June 13th have both been cancelled.
Residents are encouraged to hold on to any items they wish to giveaway or donate in the future until donation centres have reopened. If an item is unable to be donated, residents can place it for collection in keeping with curbside collection limits.
The Household Special Waste Depot program is also suspended until further notice. Visit the website for information on safe storage of household hazardous waste and alternate locations and programs for proper disposal.

June 2th Halifax Peninsula Planning Advisory Committee (Special)
Case 22115: Application by Ekistics Planning & Design, on behalf of Joseph Arab, to enter into a Development Agreement at 2438 Gottingen Street, Halifax, to allow a 16 storey residential building.
The applicant has requested to enter into a Development Agreement with the municipality for the subject property. The lot is a registered heritage property and is currently developed with an existing three storey building, Victoria Hall. The requested Development Agreement would permit the construction of a 16 storey residential building on the property. The major aspects of the proposal are as follows:
- 16 storey building located on the Creighton Street side of the property (behind Victoria Hall)
- 137 units with a mix of bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom units
- Two levels of underground parking
- Major rehabilitation of the Victoria Hall building
Application details: https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/applications/case-22115-2438-gottingen-street-halifax
Items of Interest:
Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education (NSCECE)
The NSCECE is looking for community-minded individuals to join their organization by contributing as an Independent Director on the NSCECE Board of Directors.
More information: https://www.nscece.ca/board-of-directors/
Northwood is looking for more heroes
Do you have transferable skills for Long Term Care or Home Support? They are looking for Daycare Workers , Hotel Staff, Physio and Occupational Therapy Aides, CCA/HSW/Care Aide, Screening Officers and Scheduling Officers. To view their current click HERE. For more info contact Northwood’s Human Resources Department by phone 902-454-3369 or email at hr@nwood.ns.ca
RoadWorks Map (Sidewalk/street Closures & Disruptions)
View the RoadWorks map to see current and upcoming sidewalk and street closures.
Sign up for hfxALERT
hfxALERT is our mass notification system for the municipality, keeping residents informed about emergencies and operations updates. Sign up here
Halifax Water Board Reports
Please find below the link that will take you to the location where all of the Halifax Water Board meeting reports are posted (with the exception of In-Camera reports
https://www.halifax.ca/home-property/halifax-water/about-your-water/board-commissioners
North End Business Association
For an update on what is happening with businesses in the north end please visit the North End Business Association http://gonorthhalifax.ca/ and sign up for their monthly email.
The North End Business Association (NEBA) is hiring two summer students this year. They’re looking for a Marketing Coordinator and a Street Activator. The Street Activator will help NEBA with various beautification and street programming projects. More info about that role is coming soon. You can find out about the Marketing Coordinator role HERE. Knowledge and connection to the North End is considered an asset.
Quinpool Road Business Association
For an update on what is happening with businesses on Quinpool Road please visit their website: www.quinpoolroad.ca/
Many of Quinpool’s shops and services have moved online to serve you safely. https://quinpool.shop/