District 8 Update #43 – Parental Leave, District 8 Participatory Budget Vote Night, 4th Annual Hydrostone Haul, Traffic Calming Assessments Map, and more!

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. With many residents throughout HRM being impacted by the recent wildfires in HRM and our Province, the Municipality moving into recovery efforts, I want to thank all of the first responders, community members, and organizations who didn’t hesitate to come to the aid of those who were directly affected by the fires. Below you will find how to stay up to date with information related wildfire recovery efforts.

On a separate exciting note, I am delighted to announce that my family has recently welcomed a precious new addition—a healthy baby boy! With this new chapter of parenthood, I want to share with you all that I will be taking some parental leave starting in June and returning the end of September. As a parent, it is important to me to be present during these formative months, and I appreciate your understanding and support during my absence from official duties.

While I will be taking a temporary step back, please rest assured that you will be able to have your concerns and inquiries answered. My coordinator Nancy, with the support of the Council support office and my Council colleges who border our wonderful district, will be available to support concerns or questions you may have during this period. I will be periodically working with Nancy and checking emails to address any urgent matters that may arise during this time.

Once again, I extend my deepest gratitude for your understanding and support during this exciting time for my family.

Recovery efforts information
Please see below for useful information and reminders, as of June 8:

• View the latest information and impacts to municipal services at ca/fire.
• We continue to lift evacuation orders to allow residents to return home as soon as it is safe to do so. Learn more about the phased recovery process on our website.
• Residents returning to homes should follow well-water safety testing. For information on well safety, please see the provincial guidelines
• The outdoor burning ban remains in effect.
• Consider donating to the United Way Halifax Wildfire Recovery Fund if you are able.

List of events and notices – here’s what is included:

Update:

• District 8 Participatory Budget Vote Night is on!
• 2023/2024 Bus Stop Construction
• Park Lighting Strategy
• Planning & Development Public Participation Policy Update
• North End Parent Resource Centre Annual Beautification Day
• 4th Annual Hydrostone Haul
• The North by Night Market
• North End Parent Resource Centre’s Annual General Meeting.
• North End Business Association Annual General Meeting
• Shelter Nova Scotia AGM

Items of Interest:

• RoadWorks Map (Sidewalk/street Closures & Disruptions)
• Sign up for hfxALERT
• New Traffic Calming Assessments & Infrastructure Web Map
• Cogswell District Project Updates
• Road Safety Dashboard
• North End Business Association
• Quinpool Road Business Association

Contact me:
Phone: 902-579-6975
Email: Lindell.Smith@halifax.ca
Website: www.LindellSmithHfx.ca

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.

District 8 Participatory Budget Vote Night is on!
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, I am excited to announce that District 8 Participatory Budget is back! Any District 8 resident in attendance can vote, even kids! There is no age limit. Voters must be present to vote. ID is not required, but voters will be asked to sign in affirming they are residents of District 8. Not sure if you live in District 8? Look up your address here: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/districts-councillors/district-look

This is your opportunity to provide input on how to spend $110,000 in the District. This process encourages great ideas to come forward from local non-profit groups, builds community support and collaboration, and gives local residents a direct say in how they want District 8 capital funds spent.
The submission date for applications and date and time for vote night are currently being finalized but expect applications to need to be submitted by end of June and vote night happening in early July. A separate email will be sent out with the confirmed dates to subscribers and to those who have applied in the past.

To apply, you must send a funding request including a letter explaining the project, how much you are seeking and how those funds will be spent and, confirmation of the group’s non-profit status to my Council Constituency Coordinator, Nancy Viner when applications are being accepted.

2023/2024 Bus Stop Construction 
As part of the ongoing bus stop improvement program and to address accessibility at bus stops, construction is planned for 2023. The work typically includes shelter replacements or installation of a concrete pad between the sidewalk and the curb.
We expect work to commence in the coming weeks and is anticipated to be complete by the end of construction season. HRM will be updating the webpage as we receive more details from the contractor about the timing of the work.

A full list of construction for each District can be found here:   https://www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/bus-stop-construction

Park Lighting Strategy
A Park Lighting Strategy is being developed to address the safe use and passageway in parks. The information gathered through this survey will help shape the process, criteria, prioritization, and design of spaces within parks that could be considered for lighting.

Take the survey: https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/park-lighting-strategy

Planning & Development Public Participation Policy Update
The Planning and Development Department (P&D) is updating its public engagement strategy to advance best practices in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The previous public participation policy dates to 1997

Learn more: https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/public-participation-policy

North End Parent Resource Centre Annual Beautification Day
Saturday June 17^th 10AM-1:30PM
5475 Uniacke Street
Get together as a community to clean up the neighbourhood while having some fun!

4th Annual Hydrostone Haul
Saturday, June 10, 2023 (rain date, Sunday June 11)
4th Annual Hydrostone Haul is on! The Hydrostone Haul is a dynamic, festive, multi-street yard sale taking place in and around one of Halifax’s most iconic and well loved communities!

The North by Night Market
June 9^th 7:00PM – 10:00PM
The Local (2037 Gottingen St) Back Patio
20+ Vendors, Art, Food, Music, FUN!

North End Parent Resource Centre’s Annual General Meeting.
Will be held via zoom on Wednesday July 12^th at 5:00 pm.  Please email Chelsie at admin_neprc@eastlink.ca to confirm your attendance.

North End Business Association Annual General Meeting
June 19^th 5-7 pm
The Marquee – 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax
Limited seating. Registration required.
Please register by June 14^th  at info@gonorthhalifax.com

Shelter Nova Scotia AGM
June 21^st 4pm – 6p, at Mount Saint Vincent University Rosaria Hall
RSVP by June 16^th to info@shelternovascotia.com
A guest speaker from Narrative Research will provide their mid term report regarding recommendations for our next project Metro Turning Point 2.0. This first part of their research represents insights from Shelter Nova Scotia service users and employees.

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the history, heritage and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada.
National Indigenous Peoples Day Flag Raising
Wednesday, June 21 from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in Grand Parade Square

Mawita’jik Pow Wow
Friday, June 23 to Sunday, June 25 at the Zatzman Sportsplex Arena, hosted by the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre