[15:11] Thank you very much, Sergeant Adams, and welcome everyone in the gallery. Colleagues, it's nice to see you today, and welcome everyone watching distantly. We're gathered today for the Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 meeting of the Halifax Regional Council. The Halifax Regional Municipality is located in MIGMAGI, the ancestral and traditional lands of the MIGMA people. The municipality acknowledges the peace and friendship treaties signed in this territory, and recognizes that we are all treaty people. The Halifax Regional Municipality

[15:41] The faculty also recognizes the unique history, heritage, and enduring presence of African Nova Scotians, whose roots in Nova Scotia span more than 400 years.

[15:50] We celebrate the significant contributions of African Nova Scotians to the social, cultural, economic, and civic life of our municipality and acknowledge the leadership, knowledge, and excellence that continue to enrich our communities.

[16:02] This affirmation reflects our commitment to honoring the legacy and ongoing contributions of African Nova Scotians in the Halifax Regional municipality.

[16:11] And with that colleagues we'll come to order and we'll jump right oh why don't we have a moment of silence actually

[16:17] We'll start that way would invite everyone to have a moment of a silence for prayer or meditation or quiet reflection

[16:24] And

[16:58] we'll move right into item two special community announcements and

[17:04] Knowledgements and I'll just wait for any names to populate on the board and I see Councillor Gilles. Please

[17:13] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[17:14] Good morning, everyone, and for everyone watching at home,

[17:17] I'd like to announce that our MP,

[17:20] Braden Clarke, is hosting a series of town halls

[17:22] throughout the communities in HRM.

[17:24] And he'll be hosting one with myself,

[17:28] my fabulous colleague here from Fall River

[17:29] and the MLA Brian Long, this Thursday, August 27th

[17:33] at the Beaver Bank community, Kinsak community center

[17:36] from 6 to 7 30.

[17:38] Hope to see everyone there.

[17:39] Thank you.

[17:40] Thank you for that.

[17:41] and we'll move on to Councillor Degrogane, please.

[17:46] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

[17:48] For the last two or three weekends,

[17:50] I think I spent them with hundreds of volunteers.

[17:53] And so, congratulations to the volunteers

[17:57] and organizers of the Colluse Committee.

[18:00] That's in Fall River and Windsor Junction

[18:02] and to the Halifax County Exhibition.

[18:05] I don't know, well over 10,000 attendees, I believe,

[18:08] at the Halifax County Exhibition.

[18:09] So it was pretty great and NST in Waverly.

[18:12] So, that's all about working with the volunteers, but today what I really wanted to speak about

[18:17] as well was we have one of our staff who is retiring after 28 years, and I'm sorry, PJ, we got

[18:25] you here under false pretenses maybe.

[18:29] PJ Temple has been with us for 28 years and coordinating the

[18:35] grants program. And of course, having spent 40 years in the nonprofit sector, I've had a connection

[18:41] with P.J. and the work that she's done. But I also want to say that P.J. has grown the

[18:49] nonprofit sector in a way that maybe she doesn't even realize because of her work. She's

[18:54] really assisted many nonprofits in HRM to be better, to be sustainable, challenge them

[19:02] when it came to some of the financial stuff. My personal story is when we were looking for

[19:07] and land that desk. P.J., I remember this one, and it wasn't looking good in the beginning,

[19:13] but P.J. had the right questions, and because she had the right questions, it forced us to make

[19:20] an even better proposal and desk now exists, and it's a show place in Atlantic Canada, even across

[19:27] the country, as a show place for persons with disability and the kind of environment that they deserve

[19:35] need to be and PJ has played a big role in that and I think there's not enough thank you to be

[19:42] able to be said. So PJ just a small thing, just a couple of flowers for you. Thank you.

[20:13] Bravo, Pedagene. Thank you very much, Councillor David Cameron, for that beautiful acknowledgement.

[20:18] We will certainly miss you around here, PJ. Thank you. And we will move on to Councillor

[20:24] So young, please.

[20:25] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[20:27] I'd like to also acknowledge that MP Brayden Clark, MLA Rick Brayden to myself,

[20:34] will be holding town hall at the Upper Hammond's Plains Community Center,

[20:40] 7-11 Park Rock Road on Wednesday, the 26th of August from 6 to 7-30.

[20:50] All are welcome in the community to come and participate.

[20:52] Great. Thank you. Thank you very much. And Councillor Hinch, please.

[21:00] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to proudly announce my sister-in-law,

[21:06] Barbara Hamilton Hinch, who has been named 2026 Order of Nova Scotia Recipient.

[21:12] I just want to say, Dr. Hamilton Hinch is an assistant vice provost, equity and inclusion at

[21:19] at Dow Housing University and a professor

[21:21] and the Dow Housing School of Health

[21:22] and Human Performances.

[21:27] I'm so proud of my sister-in-law

[21:28] and all the accomplishments that she has made over the years.

[21:32] And what she's given to our community

[21:36] are our discussion community and we'll continue to give.

[21:39] So I just wanted to acknowledge her today

[21:40] because I'm so proud of her.

[21:42] That's wonderful, Councillor Hitch.

[21:44] Thank you very much for that.

[21:46] And we'll move on to Councillor Mancini, please.

[21:49] Good morning, Mr. Mayor. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to acknowledge that one of our own is having a big birthday tomorrow.

[21:56] Health Act Regional Council's happiest councilor Billy Gillis is going to be 51 tomorrow.

[22:02] Now, the surprising thing of that, I thought he was at least going to be turning 70, but nevertheless, just wanted since we're not going to be gathered tomorrow, which Billy happy birthday, buddy.

[22:11] And as tradition is here and council chambers, you buy the round of coffee later on.

[22:19] Happy birthday, Councilor Gillis, and we'll move on to Councillor Hensby, please.

[22:24] Thank you much, Mr. Mayor, and follow-up from Councillor Hitches. I was very proud to see

[22:28] the Dr. Am was also being acknowledged posthumously with the Order of Nova Scotia. In fact, it was

[22:34] either initiated the Order of Nova Scotia with the premier back of the days, and I'm very

[22:40] proud of that accomplishment. I'd also like to thank the organizers that we had to cancel

[22:44] also the San Castle Day on Sunday because the forecast of the

[22:48] Trenchal rains, it said that last year we had a drought and wildfire threat.

[22:53] This year we got rained out, so it seems like we get the best

[22:56] or the worst of both worlds, but hopefully the 45th

[23:01] annual San Castle Day will be three times the charm

[23:04] next year. Also the next largest event on the Easter

[23:08] shores will be this Saturday. Hopefully wildlife's open house from 12 to 4

[23:13] and C-4th. It's always been a great crowd attraction and I just hope that people respect

[23:19] the no parking signs on one side of the road to make sure we have safe travel along the

[23:24] 207 highway. Thank you. Thank you very much, Councillor Hensby. I will move on to Councillor

[23:30] Santa Monica, please.

[23:33] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I know you've had the pleasure

[23:35] of meeting Bedford's Darcy Egan. He is a young man that graduated from St. Mary's and

[23:42] over the course of 23 days ran 23 ultra-marathons in support of feed Nova Scotia. Raising $15,000,

[23:50] he had set a rather ambitious goal in taking that on, running effectively from point-to-point

[23:58] in Nova Scotia and doing a considerable distance 1,000 kilometers over the course of 23 days.

[24:06] Just a monumental achievement and a very ambitious event to undertake. So I'd like to congratulate

[24:12] him on a very successful run and thank him for the tremendous support that he has provided

[24:17] to feed Nova Scotia and trying to help those that are facing food insecurity.

[24:22] Thank you very much, Councillor Sanemond. Yes, from the tip of Cape Breton Island to the

[24:26] lighthouse in Yarmouth, quite a feat, really quite amazing. Colleagues, it's been a few weeks since

[24:33] the, since Pride Week in Hal Fax, but we haven't had a council meeting into which to acknowledge the

[24:39] the great work done by all involved in another successful Pride Festival. Pride brought as they

[24:45] always do thousands of people together across our region to celebrate to SLGBTQ and the

[24:51] growing community here in Halifax while creating opportunities for connection and for visibility

[24:56] and for celebration. And we know that events like Pride are only possible by through a tremendous

[25:05] amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. So on behalf of the Regional Council, I want to say

[25:08] thank you to the organizers, to the volunteers, to the sponsors, the performers, to the businesses

[25:13] involved, everyone who helped to make this year a success. And I would like to make sure

[25:19] that everybody knows that next year there's even more to look forward to as Halvax will host

[25:24] Canada Pride and that's going to bring many, many thousands more people from across the country

[25:28] into our municipality giving us an opportunity to showcase this amazing place that we call home.

[25:34] So again, congratulations to Halvax Pride on a great festival and we look forward to welcome

[25:38] Canada to Halifax at next year's pride. One more colleagues earlier this month we had the

[25:44] honor of welcoming officers and sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to City Hall

[25:49] during their visit to the Halifax Regional Municipality. Canada and Japan share a long-standing friendship

[25:55] built on cooperation, mutual respect, and a deep connection to the sea. As Canada's defense city

[26:02] and home to the country's largest naval base, Halifax is proud to play a role in strengthening

[26:06] in those relationships.

[26:08] The reception was followed by a concert and grand parade

[26:10] featuring the joint performance

[26:11] of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band

[26:14] and the Stata Kona Band.

[26:16] A wonderful demonstration of the friendship

[26:17] between these two nations.

[26:19] So thank you to all involved there as well.

[26:22] And I see we do have some more names on the board now.

[26:25] Councillor Kent, over to you.

[26:28] Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[26:29] It's good to see everybody.

[26:31] We don't always see each other through the summer.

[26:33] So hope you've all had a nice,

[26:34] a good rest and they're ready to rock and roll. I just want to mention that next week in September

[26:39] 5th we will be having hosting a community event acknowledging the opening of a new playground

[26:47] at Southwoodside Community School. What's particular interesting for me is that I was a counselor

[26:54] when the one that was removed was installed and this was with a significant contribution from Imperial

[27:03] real oil at the time, they had contributed quite a lot to the community school, and there

[27:09] is a little plaque there showing that one, and now this one that was replaced, I'm just

[27:16] so pleased that Parks made sure that there was another playground installed that had the

[27:26] significance of a larger space for that school.

[27:30] It's a small school, but they deserve to have something similar to what they had.

[27:35] And I'm really pleased that Parks acknowledged that with replacing it with something larger.

[27:40] So, April 5th at 4th, sorry September 5th at 430 for treats and ribbon cutting.

[27:49] Thank you.

[27:49] Thank you very much for that.

[27:51] Councillor Sanamon, back to you.

[27:54] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Now we haven't had a meeting in a little while.

[27:57] And so there are some dates that we've managed to miss, including Lafet-Nessie-Anne de la Cadille

[28:03] on August 15th. And in my role on council, I was honored to be selected as the official

[28:09] representative for HRM and for this body to the francophone and accadian communities in Nova Scotia,

[28:16] and specifically in Halifax. And so I thought since we haven't had a meeting since the 15th,

[28:21] I would share the proclamation that the mayor provided on that date when we conducted a flag raising for the Acadian community here at City Hall in Grand Parade.

[28:34] So the proclamation for the Fet National de Lacadie reads as follows.

[28:39] And forgive me, I'm going to do this one in French as seems very appropriate given circumstances.

[28:43] that the academies of their origin, their history and their development constitute the

[28:50] first French colony to establish a permanent fashion in Canada.

[28:54] And they now find in all the provinces and territories of Canada, that the people of

[28:59] Canada contribute more than 400 years to the economic, cultural and social economy of Canada,

[29:07] that since 1881, the Canadian people were 15 or as the day of the National Party,

[29:16] that the Canadian people had defined their identity by their language, culture, and customs.

[29:23] What is the interest of all Canadians to be able to share the historical and cultural heritage of Canadians

[29:33] and in the best way to understand all the manifestations as well as the old ones that are contemporary,

[29:41] that it is important to encourage the accadiens and accadiens to be proud of their heritage.

[29:47] That's why it is the resolution that I personally, in the name of Mary Andy Filmore, and the regional council of Alibis.

[30:22] »Good afternoon. Thank you for that. And we will go on to Councillor Hensby, please.

[30:26] Thank you very much. Thank you councillors. I'm on for recognizing you Katie and Heritage

[30:31] months this month as well as I want to acknowledge that that committee, the Chesa Club,

[30:35] is also recognizing its 30th anniversary this month and I want to wish them a happy birthday,

[30:40] a happy celebration. Thank you. Thank you very much for that. I don't see any other names in the board

[30:46] for announcements, so we will move along to item 3 approval of the minutes of July 14th,

[30:52] 2026, could I have a motion?

[30:54] Councillor Gillis, seconded by Councillor Sanamon.

[30:56] Is there any discussion on those minutes?

[30:59] Not seeing any.

[31:00] Show of hands and approval of the adoption of those minutes.

[31:04] And they are approved.

[31:06] Thank you very much.

[31:07] That brings us to the approval of the order of business

[31:10] and approval of additions and deletions.

[31:13] There are some things to add and some things to jostle

[31:15] around here today.

[31:17] Madam Clerk, would you like to walk us through that?

[31:19] Yes, so there is a request to add the following items item 18.1 executive standing committee

[31:27] 2027 helifax regional council in 2027 28 or sorry 2027 28 proposed budget meeting schedules

[31:38] as well as item 21.7 proclamation, national days, a cady ends, a national accordion day,

[31:46] August 15th, 2026, there's also a request that if there's any in-camera items that Council wishes to test in public to consider these items following item five consent agenda, if Council wishes to convening camera to discuss an item, they would not be moved up and remain in the current agenda order.

[32:08] Okay, thank you very much for that. I think that'll make sense. There are some other folks on the board and we'll start with the deputy mayor, please.

[32:14] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[32:18] So I have a couple of things.

[32:20] One is item 15.1.3, proposed amendments to amend order 2018-003 ADM, respecting private

[32:30] road maintenance.

[32:31] I'd like to either move a request that that be deferred to a future meeting of council.

[32:38] I was in conversation through email with Vicki several times yesterday, but looking at

[32:46] the criteria that's in the report, there is no rationale right now for the 10, and

[32:53] in conversation with some of my residents that live on private laneways and drives.

[32:59] I just, before we move this forward, I would like to have further conversations with Vicki

[33:04] so I can come up with a amendment that makes sense and can be supported. So I'd like to move

[33:10] that that be deferred.

[33:18] Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor. We will need a seconder for that perhaps.

[33:22] Okay. So I saw Councillor Steele there very promptly and all in favour of deferral.

[33:29] Show of hands please. Okay, that deferral passed. Thank you for that.

[33:32] Okay. Thank you very much.

[33:37] And I don't know if this is the time to move the consent agenda

[33:44] that's in the in-camera or to do that. Please hold.

[33:57] I guess that would move to consent.

[33:59] I'd add that to consent. We will. Yeah. We'll come back to the in-camera momentarily.

[34:06] All right. Councilor Austin, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to move that we defer

[34:11] 15-3.1, head start, tennis dome. This is in Councillor White's district and she's not

[34:16] available to join us. I think it would be better if we consider this at our next meeting.

[34:23] Councillor Hartley was quick on the second there and all in favour of deferring 15-3-1,

[34:30] show of hands please, and that passes. Okay, that's deferred. Thank you very much.

[34:36] Then we'll carry on to Councillor Mancini, please.

[34:39] I think Mr. Mayor colleagues I'm asking that item 16.1 which is Councillor Hartlings

[34:44] if we could discuss that earlier in our agenda either just before our lunch break or just

[34:49] after our lunch break. Unfortunately I have to leave early and I want to be around for

[34:53] that conversation so we can have earlier in the agenda that would be appreciated.

[34:58] Thank you very much. I don't think that requires a motion doesn't it no. How about we put

[35:04] But it's Councillor, just before 15-1, is that suit, everyone?

[35:14] Just before 15-1?

[35:17] Okay.

[35:21] Okay.

[35:21] Good.

[35:22] Very good.

[35:22] Thank you.

[35:22] Councillor Steele, please.

[35:24] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[35:26] I would like to request a presentation for, at a future meeting, for information item 21.3.

[35:35] It's the memorandum from the Chief Administrative Office concerning the Nova Scotia Capped Assessment

[35:43] Program impacts and the future meeting I was looking toward was not the September 15 meeting

[35:50] but September 29 due to staff availability.

[35:54] Okay, so the request is to bring forward the information item, which is numbered.

[36:01] all of our members.

[36:02] 21.3.

[36:03] Thank you 21.3 to a future meeting date of September,

[36:08] so I'm going to have too many pages here.

[36:11] 29.

[36:11] Yes.

[36:12] I would like a presentation.

[36:14] Presentation.

[36:14] Okay.

[36:15] We've got that noted now.

[36:17] You're welcome.

[36:19] Okay, let's just make sure we cover everything here.

[36:30] Right.

[36:30] So that looks like we have an amended agenda.

[36:35] Do I see a hand up over there?

[36:37] Okay.

[36:38] Thank you.

[36:39] Councillor Cleary has moved the agenda is seconded by Councillor Saint Le Mans and all

[36:45] in favour of that please

[36:49] and that we have now adopted that and that can we can now come

[36:53] back to the in-camera question from the deputy mayor I believe.

[37:06] Yeah.

[37:07] Thank you.

[37:08] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[37:11] I'm just trying to pull up the right item

[37:18] here.

[37:21] It's now at 17.5, I think.

[37:31] Yeah, so I know that usually we wait until we get to the end of our agenda to move in camera items

[37:41] that we'd like to pass on consent this morning I'm going to try to move 17.5 right now the

[37:53] reason being that if there is nobody who is interested in pulling this out for discussion by moving

[38:00] and approving this now then we'll enable staff to get on with their day and we won't tie them up

[38:09] waiting for us to get to this item here

[38:16] in one second? Okay, so I would like to test council

[38:21] by moving item 17.5 on the consent agenda.

[38:31] First, the motion's been seconded by Councillor

[38:33] Hinch and Madam Clerk, I will seek your guidance on that we're going to have a hand vote on this or

[38:38] if you have recorded vote. Thank you very much and so we'll proceed to a recorded vote right now.

[38:43] The

[39:01] motion carries. Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

[39:04] We will now come to the consent agenda. There are a few items on today's consent agenda.

[39:14] 15-1 centralized grants reporting concept. 15-2-1, TMR tool, I beg your pardon, TMR-2,

[39:23] to dual-band radio, 2026-2027 capital budget transfer.

[39:30] 1531 has been deferred.

[39:33] 15.3.2 affordable housing strategy.

[39:36] I would like to remove that from consent.

[39:39] 15.3.3 Dartmouth Regional Pickleball facility

[39:43] and 15.4.1 major events policy framework.

[39:48] And looking at the board, I see the deputy mayor, please.

[39:51] No, that wouldn't. I think that's left over a remnant, okay. Thank you. Any other comments

[39:58] on the consent agenda, colleagues? Okay, so affordable housing. Okay, there's a motion

[40:07] from Councillor Sway to everyone catches up. Yeah, the only removal would be 1532. And there's

[40:15] a motion from Councillor Cleary to approve the consent agenda. And there's a second

[40:19] by Councillor Steele and we will go to a recorded vote.

[40:36] In the amended consent agenda is approved.

[40:38] Thank you.

[40:40] Item 6, business arising out of the minutes, I don't believe we have any today.

[40:44] Item 7, call for declarations of conflicts of interest, colleagues, anyone seeing none.

[40:50] Item 8, motions of reconsideration, there are none.

[40:53] Item 9, motions of recision, there are none today.

[40:57] Item 10, consideration of deferred business.

[41:00] From July 14th, 2026.

[41:02] We have item 10.1, which was deferred to the request of Councillor Hinch.

[41:07] The item is dismantling racism and hate strategy.

[41:10] The purpose of Councillor Hinch's deferral was to request a presentation, which I understand

[41:16] one is forthcoming.

[41:20] Welcome, Russell, and the floor is yours when you are ready to do your presentation and once

[41:25] you're concluded, we'll ask Councillor Hinch to put the motion on the floor.

[41:28] So

[41:58] good morning Mayor Fillmore and members of council.

[42:01] I'm here to provide overview of the dismantling racism and hate strategy.

[42:07] So this serves as a coordinated municipality wide framework to advance equity, accountability, and systemic change.

[42:16] So I will attempt to proactively kind of answer as many of assumed questions that you may have throughout the presentation.

[42:26] So the first question that I'm attempting to answer for you folks this morning is why this strategy and why now?

[42:33] So Bill 96 is the legislation that became Nova Scotia's dismantling racism and

[42:39] hate act, and that act requires prescribed public bodies, including how effects regional municipality to create and maintain a plan addressing systemic racism, hate and inequity.

[42:53] And so this really serves as an opportunity for

[42:56] health, extra-general municipality to really align existing efforts.

[43:02] So there are many other pieces of work that are already within the implementation phase.

[43:08] And this is a really great opportunity for us to align and coordinate those efforts.

[43:14] Looking at ways that we can align those existing efforts around equity, accessibility,

[43:18] Inclusion, Cultural Recognition, it's an opportunity for us to also continue to address barriers.

[43:26] So we want to identify and dismantle systemic barriers looking at those barriers that we might not always see within our policies,

[43:34] our programs, services, and our organizational operation.

[43:39] It also serves us as an opportunity when we look at accountability.

[43:43] So we really want to look at how we're measuring these outcomes.

[43:45] We want to look at ways that we can improve our transparency in the ways that we communicate and update the progress to community as well as, you know, to employees across the organization and also we want to look at our reporting and ensure that we have clear oversight from leadership levels all the way down to the frontline staff across the organization and the last point that I just wanted to speak to here was just around our responsiveness.

[44:16] this requires a commitment from us.

[44:19] And we need to make sure that we're keeping community voices and

[44:23] lived to experience central as the implementation you evolve.

[44:27] So this is going to be a living strategy.

[44:30] So as things change across our municipality,

[44:33] we want to make sure that this strategy reflects those changes.

[44:36] So we're going to continuously engage with community and

[44:39] make sure that this is in real time responding to the nature of

[44:43] the realities of those folks that call it Halifax home.

[44:49] In terms of the structure of the strategy, so there are system-wide foundations, so we

[44:56] We have three.

[45:00] Which there are six. So under education, culture, and public awareness, this is really how we reinforce our commitment to education and continuous learning. We're looking at things like training. So we want to make sure that these things are prioritized and they will affect how we implement the actions within the strategy and how we improve the service delivery of our programs and services to all citizens and residents. So number two is community safety.

[45:28] anti-hate response and inclusion.

[45:32] So for folks that are, you know, victims of forms of hate, racism and discrimination,

[45:40] this becomes a matter of safety.

[45:43] And we need to make sure that this strategy responds to that reality.

[45:48] So we really want to make sure that we're looking at the safety and well-being of all citizens

[45:53] and residents as we continue to grow and evolve this strategy, and look at the ways that it's being implemented and the impact that it's having on the overall and well-being of all citizens and residents.

[46:06] And then we're looking at data accountability and governance, and we just really need to make sure that we're collecting the data, we're being intentional about the data that we're collecting.

[46:18] and we're then using that data to inform the actions, and we're using that to also inform

[46:25] how this strategy grows and evolves over time.

[46:29] And when we look at accountability, I think it's important that there is a shared ownership

[46:36] in this work.

[46:38] It can't be something that is just carried and shouldered by a few business units.

[46:42] This has to be a shared responsibility across the entire organization.

[46:45] So when we're looking at accountability and governance, that's how we demonstrate that is making sure that this is something that is shared across the organization, across all levels of leadership, and it's important that that cascades down through the organization things don't cascade up from frontline, truly cascades down from the leadership of the organization.

[47:06] And then when we're getting into the equity and belonging pillars, so we have African

[47:10] Nova Scotia and African descent communities and residents.

[47:14] We also have Migma and Indigenous communities and residents, newcomer and immigrants, communities

[47:20] and residents, gender equity, accessibility and disability inclusion, and Acadian and

[47:27] Francophone communities and residents.

[47:33] So what changes in terms of practice?

[47:36] So this is where we really show our commitment to moving from commitment to substantive action, substantive change.

[47:46] So through these efforts, we want to make sure that we're building capacity.

[47:49] So we're looking at training.

[47:51] And when you have training, it speaks volumes when you mandate a training.

[47:57] That prioritizes that, that puts value on that training.

[48:01] So it really shows where your priorities lie.

[48:03] So we really want to look at what are the trainings that we need to de-mandatory, what are the trainings that we need to prioritize, how we commit to our ongoing education and learning.

[48:14] We want to look at really the public awareness around different cultural festivals, celebrations, and then cross-cultural learning initiatives.

[48:23] That's really important with how we move this work forward.

[48:26] And then also we want to look at how do we deliver culturally safe and responsive service delivery at all levels of service across the organization.

[48:36] We also want to look at the use of data and equity analysis, so we're looking at intersectional data and equity impact assessments.

[48:45] And we really want to use that to identify those systemic barriers that aren't always easy to see by the eye.

[48:50] We really want to look at the policies, the processes, the mechanisms that are guiding

[48:54] all of these decisions that are being made.

[48:56] And then we want to use that to inform our decision making and measure the outcomes in

[49:01] terms of the impact.

[49:03] Looking at access, we will be looking at multilingual and accessible communications and all of the things

[49:11] that we'll be communicating moving forward.

[49:13] We want to make sure that we're looking at our service standards and improving them where

[49:17] and when we need to.

[49:18] We also want to look at accessible infrastructure and looking at engagement, it's going to be an ongoing and continuous thing, and really what we want to be able to do with the engagement and measuring the engagement or the success of the engagement is we really want all residents to feel like they're being reflected in this work.

[49:39] Often what we hear when we're, you know, developing strategies, we're implementing strategies.

[49:45] You'll always hear folks who say that they don't feel like they're seen or reflected in

[49:49] this work.

[49:50] So we want to make sure that as we continue that engagement, we continue to, you know,

[49:54] listen to that feedback so that all citizens and residents feel like they're being reflected

[49:59] and represented in this work.

[50:01] In terms of improving our response, so I mentioned earlier about coordinated anti-hate response

[50:06] And really looking at the protocol, really looking at how that's captured what happens once it's captured and ensuring that it's, you know, it's something that it's consistent.

[50:17] It's going to be something that is prioritized and there's going to be a sense of urgency and how we respond to any of those.

[50:26] You know, when there is any incident involving hate, we want to make sure that we're responding with an urgent sense of urgency.

[50:34] So then we also want to look at, you know, making sure that our reporting is accessible and it's culturally responsive when we have our supports.

[50:41] A lot of times we use and throw around a lot of language.

[50:45] But saying you have culturally responsible supports and offering them is two different things.

[50:53] So we want to truly make sure that we have those supports available so that when they're needed they can be mobilized immediately.

[51:00] and it's not something that folks are waiting for to further the harm or the impact of whatever it is that they're experiencing.

[51:06] And then looking at investing and partnership, there are a lot of great community-led initiatives, organizations, grassroots groups that are doing meaningful work with a lot of groups in our community, and we want to leverage that.

[51:21] We want to try to work with those folks, build those relationships if there's folks out there that we already have relationships with that are service providers and servicing different groups in our community.

[51:33] We want to make sure that we're growing those relationships, we're sustaining those relationships so that we can utilize that and

[51:40] leverage that to really enhance the impact and broaden the reach throughout this work as we move through this implementation phase.

[51:49] And we also want to look at procurement and inclusive procurement.

[51:54] There are so many diverse folks across this municipality that are offering great services and

[52:02] offering exceptional business and things of that nature and we truly want to provide equal opportunities for

[52:10] those folks to be able to provide those services on a municipal platform and beyond that.

[52:15] It serves as an opportunity to really amplify your business when we're able to look at the ways that we're doing procurement.

[52:22] We want to remove any barriers that exist.

[52:25] And then looking at heritage and cultural recognition, there are several initiatives that are already under way that exist,

[52:33] that are really looking at celebrating and recognizing heritage and culture across our municipality.

[52:39] And we want to continue to seek out those opportunities as well as amplify and enhance those initiatives that are already existing.

[52:48] And then the last one here around embedding accountability.

[52:52] So I think that this is critically important.

[52:54] When we look at leadership, leadership is something that you demonstrate and that you act.

[53:01] And if we are truly putting value in prioritizing this work,

[53:06] It needs to start at the CAO's level with the executive leadership group.

[53:11] And again, that priority and the value on this work needs to trickle down across all business units.

[53:19] So it's really important that that leadership starts at that table.

[53:26] And then when we look at how we'll be providing updates and

[53:31] things of that nature, like there are going to be updates that are provided to the province

[53:35] based on that schedule that they have already determined, but we're coming back to council

[53:40] annually with updates. This is where we'll provide the status of the implementation of

[53:45] the strategy, our successes, our challenges, or anything that we need to kind of rethink

[53:52] and revisit as we continue to implement this work.

[53:59] Folks always want to know how progress

[54:01] We'll be measured and reported, so I've got you covered this morning.

[54:06] So we're really looking at three main focuses or sorry, four main focuses on how we'll measure and report on this work.

[54:15] So the first one is key performance indicators.

[54:18] So we'll be working with business units and helping them shape and

[54:23] determine what those KPIs will look like.

[54:25] We wanted to make sure that we're not telling business units how to measure this,

[54:30] how to implement these things. We want to work closely in partnership and collaboration.

[54:34] And again, we're looking at that shared ownership here. So we want to make sure that we're working

[54:39] with the business units closely to determine what those KPIs look like. And we want to make sure

[54:43] that we're putting the entire organization in a position to be successful. We don't want to just

[54:49] undertake this responsibility in these actions with those having some autonomy and say and shaping

[54:55] how we measure those things. In terms of reporting, as I mentioned, we'll be doing annual

[55:00] reporting back to you folks, and we want to look at the ways that we can provide real-time

[55:07] updates to the community, whether that's, you know, a public-facing website, dashboard,

[55:12] things of that nature, these are other tactics that are being employed in other municipalities

[55:18] and places across the nation. So we'll be, you know, exploring those options to see what are the

[55:24] best ways that we can provide those updates to the community. I think it's important that when

[55:29] When we're engaging with folks that we don't wait for them to come back to us, we proactively

[55:33] bring that information back to them.

[55:36] Under the learn piece, again, we want to make sure that we're proactively committing

[55:40] to education training, continuous learning.

[55:44] So we want to make sure that we're doing all those things, and then we also want to have

[55:48] that ongoing community engagement and that feedback.

[55:51] Again, this is going to be a living strategy, so as we continue to implement this work, we

[55:58] We want to be able to go back to the community,

[56:00] hey, did we get this right?

[56:01] What is missing?

[56:02] And then take that feedback to shape

[56:03] kind of what we do next in the future phases

[56:07] of this strategy.

[56:09] And like I said, we always want to make sure

[56:10] that we're responding to the emerging needs

[56:12] in real time of all citizens and residents.

[56:15] And then when we're looking at how we will continue

[56:18] to strive for improvement,

[56:21] we'll continuously be refining our actions

[56:24] and the strategy over time.

[56:26] There will be a formal strategy review with the province and that's scheduled for the spring of 2028.

[56:35] And I just also have here that accountability needs to be built into the strategy.

[56:39] We want to measure what matters, we want to report transparently, and

[56:43] listen continuously so that we can make those adjustments and reflect the voices of all citizens and residents.

[56:52] So, before I kind of get to, you know, the motions here, I also want to kind of make

[56:58] sure that I acknowledge these pieces here too, in terms of the implementation considerations.

[57:02] A lot of times, you know, we know that money and resources is a big question that folks

[57:07] have when you're undertaking this work.

[57:11] Today, we are not seeking money, you know, to endorse this strategy as it stands.

[57:18] Following the approval, we will be working with business units to determine the timelines and the costs for a specific initiative, so there are some business units that have identified that they may have funding allocated within their budget that will be able to resource some of the actions going forward in the strategy, but we will also be applying for funding.

[57:40] A lot of the work that is being implemented under the dismantling racism hate work is being funded by grants and other funding opportunities at the provincial and federal level.

[57:55] So we will be applying for funding to fund a lot of these actions and action items.

[58:02] And the other piece there just around the community engagement it's going to be something that is continuous.

[58:06] It's not something that we're just doing one time, and you know, that's all we're using to inform this strategy, and the other thing that I think is worthwhile mentioning too is that many of the action items that are already, you know, in the strategy that's being presented here today have been shaped by engagement in the past.

[58:24] So the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, folks around cultural heritage, priorities plan, public safety, we have used the feedback that they've received that shape the existing work that they're all doing to make sure that we're not exhausting folks in terms of how we're doing engagement, but we do realize that there are folks that won't feel like they're reflected in the strategy that we're bringing before you today.

[58:50] and we have a commitment to making sure that we reach those folks and that the feedback and

[58:56] engagement that we are going to do moving forward will reflect all voices and live experiences

[59:02] of residents and citizens across our municipality. So with that, we have the two motions here that

[59:14] we're bringing forward today. So the first one is just around approving the dismantling racism

[59:18] and hate strategy as set out in attachment one, and then number two is to direct the chief

[59:24] administrative officer, the CAO, to provide annual updates on the progress of the strategy.

[59:31] Thanks very much for a thorough presentation, Russell, very well done, and all the work

[59:36] behind it as well.

[59:37] So thank you.

[59:38] We'll go to Councillor Hinch to put the motion on the floor, please.

[59:42] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[59:43] Thank you, Russell, for the thorough presentation.

[59:47] It is recommended that Halifax Regional Council want to prove the dismantling race and

[59:52] hate strategy as set out in the attachment one of the staff report and two.

[1:00:00] On progress of the strategy. Seconded by councilor Mancini.

[1:00:07] Can I still? Thank you. So again, Russell, thank you for the presentation. The one thing that always crosses my mind and continue to cross my mind is the training component of this.

[1:00:21] And I believe I've asked you before. But is it mandatory? Can this training be mandatory? And when we talk about from the top down, I believe council should be definitely

[1:00:32] actually have that type of training.

[1:00:35] So my question is is it mandatory and is council afforded that type of training as

[1:00:42] well?

[1:00:43] Thank you.

[1:00:46] So through you, Mr. Mayor, to the councillor, so thank you for the question.

[1:00:51] So the training is not mandatory and we have really explored this many times and many ways.

[1:01:02] And as it stands, it is not mandatory training, but we have an opportunity to kind of convey

[1:01:11] that message at executive leadership and hope that they can really encourage their business

[1:01:18] unit to prioritize the training, like we have had trainings in the past that have really

[1:01:22] been pushed at that level.

[1:01:24] and some executive directors and folks at that level

[1:01:30] have really encouraged their business unit

[1:01:33] to really make it a priority

[1:01:36] to complete a variety of different trainings

[1:01:40] as it relates to the work that they're doing.

[1:01:42] And we have explored ways that we can provide training

[1:01:46] to you folks, and that is something that we are very much

[1:01:49] open to and we would love to explore and see

[1:01:53] how we can bring those training opportunities to you, folks.

[1:01:57] I just hope when it does come that we all take the opportunity

[1:02:01] and take the training.

[1:02:03] Thank you, that's all I had to say.

[1:02:05] Thank you.

[1:02:06] Thank you very much.

[1:02:06] We'll move on to the deputy mayor, please.

[1:02:09] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:02:11] I happen to cross a new tool that I see

[1:02:14] on the employee website map my action plan,

[1:02:20] which is kind of looking at ways with employees can find opportunities to help

[1:02:28] advance strategic initiatives of the municipality and I thought it was a

[1:02:33] I hadn't seen it before and thought it was a rather innovative tool and I see in

[1:02:37] that in that map program that there is something for diversity and

[1:02:42] inclusion and equity and I was just wondering you know when it comes to

[1:02:47] embedding this, you talked about leadership, you talked about embedding it in the organization,

[1:02:53] but seeing it at the leadership level and then trickling down.

[1:02:59] I'm wondering are there any other tools that are in development or programs that are in development,

[1:03:05] or what is the plan for helping to support that embedding this in the organization as a whole?

[1:03:18] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the question.

[1:03:22] That is a great opportunity for us to do, you know, to really elevate and embed this

[1:03:28] work.

[1:03:29] So my action plan, your map, is something that, you know, individuals work closely with

[1:03:37] their direct report to establish some goals for them as it pertains to a variety of kind

[1:03:44] of areas that the organization values.

[1:03:47] So embedding, you know, those goals in that, you know, requires a level of accountability.

[1:03:55] So I think that that's a great strategy to explore around, you know, like I said, elevating

[1:04:01] this and embedding it in the work that we're doing.

[1:04:03] And then, at the executive level, they have what I believe is called like a mandate letter.

[1:04:10] And it's similar to your map, but it's something that is specifically for folks

[1:04:15] that are at the executive leadership level, and typically they do try to have a diversity

[1:04:21] inclusion, equity, and accessibility goal in that letter.

[1:04:25] So this is something also that we would love to see executive leaders build into that mandate

[1:04:32] letter as we move forward.

[1:04:33] So, you know, hoping to get approval around the strategy, and that could be where we start

[1:04:39] is having executive leadership, have a goal in their mandate letter that applies to the dismantling racism and hate strategy.

[1:04:48] Okay, good. Those tangible examples are kind of really, you know, good to understand, you know, in terms of how this is going to roll out and then how that gets measured against the KPIs so we can see the progress. So thank you for that.

[1:05:04] Thank you, Councillor Mancini, please.

[1:05:07] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:05:09] Councilor Hinch, thank you for bringing this forward and asking for the presentation.

[1:05:12] Russell, thank you for your leadership on this.

[1:05:16] It's interesting, colleagues.

[1:05:17] When I'm out speaking on behalf of the municipality and talking to visitors or talking to business

[1:05:22] people or just talking to the community, one of the things that I speak most highly of and

[1:05:26] that I'm most proud of is the diversity that now exists in our municipality that didn't

[1:05:30] exist that not a long ago.

[1:05:33] You know, in say that, however, you know, I do see an increase in racism and maybe even

[1:05:42] hate.

[1:05:42] You know, we've seen examples of the anti-Muslim, the Jewish, African-Nobus, kosher that continues

[1:05:48] on.

[1:05:49] You know, Councillor Austin and I have seen it against brown people recently when the discussion

[1:05:53] about the Dr. of the Commons and cricket versus baseball and ugly words being used and

[1:06:02] And it's so disappointing when I see that.

[1:06:05] However, in saying that, my daughter's visiting from away and on the weekend she came home

[1:06:09] and after taking her Uber drives.

[1:06:10] She's dead.

[1:06:11] I got to tell you about my experience as an Uber driver.

[1:06:13] He's from East India and he said he traveled, lived all over the world and he now lives here.

[1:06:19] And he says, H-R-M, Nova Scotia, has been the most welcoming place he's ever lived in.

[1:06:24] And this is now his home.

[1:06:26] And I was so proud to hear those words because at the same time talking about what we see

[1:06:30] is an increase in racism and hate.

[1:06:34] And your words about your words are easy, right?

[1:06:36] We do the acknowledgement.

[1:06:37] Now we do the African Nova Scotia announcement,

[1:06:39] along with the big modern announcement.

[1:06:40] There were words, right?

[1:06:42] And the real showing that we are a welcome community

[1:06:47] is action as you alluded to in your presentation.

[1:06:50] So the question I have is you alluded

[1:06:52] to being responsive when incidents of racism and hate,

[1:06:56] how many essential urgency, my two questions

[1:06:59] is related to that Russell, is that, is the work that you do simply internal to HRM or will you also respond to these incidents that when they happen outside of our workplace, and can you give us some examples when you say you respond to those actions when they happen in that sense of urgency, can you give me someone to an example, what does that mean, what's that possibly look like? Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:07:25] So, through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the question.

[1:07:30] So, when we're looking at the response, so hate is, you know, it's a crime.

[1:07:38] So, the reporting would be going through police, but we also want to look at the things

[1:07:43] that we can do within the organization in terms of the supports that we provide to folks

[1:07:49] that are receiving, or on the receiving end, or the victims of all forms of hate discrimination, racism.

[1:07:56] So we want to make sure that we have the supports readily available.

[1:08:00] We want to make sure that we have the culturally sensitive and responsive training for

[1:08:04] all the frontline folks that are going to be like first responders to make sure that it's not going to further the harm or

[1:08:11] the impact that's been already received.

[1:08:13] And we want to look at what we can do internally what we're exploring, how we can work with 311 in terms of how we're collecting and receiving calls, logging those calls, things of that nature to make sure that we have a consistent process in terms of how we respond, how we capture it, what we're doing with what is being captured, we want to make sure that we're using that information and that data to really inform kind of the things that we need to do better or maybe the things that we're not even doing yet.

[1:08:42] So that's really how we see, you know, the work, you know, the next kind of steps that we're going to be taking.

[1:08:51] You know, these are all new things that we'll be doing.

[1:08:55] You know, the scope of this work is continuing to grow and broaden.

[1:08:59] So we want to make sure that we're learning as we go, but we're also making sure that we're applying that learning to our programs, our services, and what is being offered under the municipal scope of services and programs.

[1:09:12] appreciate that so much. I'm thinking, you know, I'm looking at my colleagues with the Board of

[1:09:15] Police Commissioner here at Councilor Tennis Councilor Hinch. I mean, I think, you know, we may

[1:09:19] be able to discuss how you actually come and speak to the Board of Police Commissioner, the more

[1:09:23] that we talk about this topic, how it relates to first we spotted, how it relates to police and

[1:09:27] that community engagement. So I'll take that as a takeaway myself and we'll follow up with you on

[1:09:31] that. Russell, thanks for your work, man. Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:09:35] Thank you very much. Moving on to Councilor Steele, please.

[1:09:38] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thanks for the presentation, Russell.

[1:09:43] One of the questions I have when we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and anti-hate

[1:09:49] strategies, I wonder about how HRM employees reflect the communities we serve.

[1:09:57] So I do know that there is, or I understand, there's an ability to self-identify on applications

[1:10:06] or on employee profiles.

[1:10:10] Are we collecting any data on that?

[1:10:13] I know you mentioned the importance of data

[1:10:15] and collecting data.

[1:10:17] Certainly, I know that many public administrations

[1:10:22] look at trying to reflect the communities they are serving.

[1:10:27] So, if you're serving X communities,

[1:10:29] you would like to have members of that community presence.

[1:10:32] So, are we collecting data?

[1:10:34] do we have any, and I know it's difficult because people often don't choose to self-identify

[1:10:40] or choose not to self-identify. So I'm curious about where we are with this because I know we've

[1:10:48] been working as a municipality on attempting to include diversity, equity, and inclusion in many

[1:10:55] of our programs and policies for a long time. So I'm curious if we are making progress and then I have

[1:11:00] a few other questions, should there be some time remaining?

[1:11:08] So through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the question.

[1:11:11] So this is an area that we have to continuously continue to try to find ways to improve, and

[1:11:20] the thing that sometimes becomes a challenge is that a lot of times when we're engaging

[1:11:26] folks like employees, it's voluntary.

[1:11:30] So, folks aren't always comfortable with providing that feedback, and so that just shows

[1:11:36] that we need to improve the relationships that we have with our employees and ensure

[1:11:42] that they do feel a sense of security, psychological safety, and things like that in the workplace

[1:11:47] to be able to share and self-identify that information.

[1:11:51] So that's something that we're continuously trying to look at ways that we can improve

[1:11:55] how we ask those questions and again create pathways for those folks to feel safe enough

[1:12:01] to share that with us so that we can use that information to inform the things that

[1:12:06] we are going to be implementing and how we are responding to different issues that we

[1:12:11] know that are taking place in our workplaces so it's going to be an ongoing thing. We have

[1:12:21] have seen an increase in participation, but it's not nearly at the rate that we would

[1:12:27] like it to be at.

[1:12:28] Okay. Okay. I have a few more questions. One relates to how do you know about the hate

[1:12:37] incidents that are occurring in the municipality? Do you find out from community safety, from police,

[1:12:43] and then when you say, and this is building on Council Mancini's question, then when

[1:12:49] Can you say you support, provide support?

[1:12:52] Do you provide support to external stakeholders or is it to internal staff?

[1:12:59] I was curious who receives the support.

[1:13:05] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the councillor.

[1:13:07] So when we're looking at the response, so, you know, like I said, those, you know, complaints

[1:13:16] go typically, they're going to go through to the police, but there is collaboration there.

[1:13:22] So, community safety, public safety work closely with HRP, so that information does get shared.

[1:13:28] And through those partnerships and relationships, that information is shared with us as well.

[1:13:35] So that we can consult and advise on best responses and things of that nature.

[1:13:42] But in terms of the support that's being offered, that initially is something that we're focusing on with our employees,

[1:13:50] like our front line staff, our first responders folks, so we want to make sure that when they're engaging

[1:13:57] with folks in crisis and things of that nature, that they have the, you know, the most up-to-date

[1:14:04] training as possible to ensure that they're providing a level of service to whoever that they're

[1:14:10] in contact with. So your target is the internal employees who are front line? Okay, I have a couple more

[1:14:16] things. You mentioned, you referenced the mandate letters for senior leadership. I

[1:14:24] think that's the CAO's territory, but you mentioned that you thought that there were

[1:14:30] requirements to undertake action related to diversity and equity and inclusion, but that

[1:14:37] we're not sure that that's in the letter. Is that the case?

[1:14:44] Oh, I'm out of time.

[1:14:47] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the councillor, so I believe that this is something that, you know, the CAO would, you know, determine.

[1:15:09] Thank you.

[1:15:15] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Through you to the Councillor. I just wanted to pick up on that question raised by Councillor Steele just to confirm that diversity inclusion considerations are mandatory part of the mandate letters. I think what Mr. Brooks said is right.

[1:15:32] was referring to is specifics around the implementation of the strategy itself.

[1:15:41] Thank you for that clarification.

[1:15:43] We'll move on to Councillor Young, please.

[1:15:45] Thank you.

[1:15:46] Pardon me.

[1:15:47] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:15:48] Thank you, Russell, for the presentation.

[1:15:50] I have three questions.

[1:15:52] In Attachant 1, Pades 5, paragraph 3, it reads municipal policies are aligned with the

[1:15:58] equity-based best practices to ensure that organizational structures and decision-making

[1:16:05] processes actively address racism discrimination and exclusion.

[1:16:13] In saying that, does this include the MPS, land use bylaws, service boundaries, and current

[1:16:21] and new development agreements in historically black communities or

[1:16:27] African Nova Scotia communities, especially if the African Nova Scotia community

[1:16:31] committees are currently working with the ANSCAP team. Number one, number two,

[1:16:36] the grant program that is under the anti-black racism, what are you putting in

[1:16:46] place for legacy is your grant program looking into legacy for recording and data collecting

[1:16:55] for future generations. Number three, what is being done to avoid duplications of services

[1:17:07] by other stakeholders in the community for accountability purposes and this is under your

[1:17:13] in bidding accountability section.

[1:17:16] Thank you.

[1:17:22] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the questions.

[1:17:26] So I want to do my best to go through your three questions.

[1:17:29] So the first question regarding the bylaws and the things around planning and development,

[1:17:38] so provided the strategy gets endorsed, we will move forward with the implementation of the

[1:17:48] the action items and so we will start, I shouldn't say start, we'll continue working closely

[1:17:54] with ANSCAP and looking at the ways that we can improve the work that they're doing.

[1:18:00] That initiative is fairly new and it's doing some great work and so we'll look at ways

[1:18:07] that we can leverage and amplify those efforts as it moves forward.

[1:18:11] Okay, to your second question regarding the anti-black racism grants program.

[1:18:19] Right now as it sits the program has priorities that are making up the program and there's

[1:18:31] eligible expenditures and ineligible expenditures so right now if the application falls under

[1:18:39] those guidelines, then it would be considered.

[1:18:42] So as long as the applicants can work within those parameters, and like we've really worked

[1:18:46] closely with, you know, even Peta Jane and her team, the community grants folks to really

[1:18:52] look at ways that we can remove some of the barriers that existed in other grant opportunities

[1:18:57] and funding opportunities.

[1:18:58] So we really wanted to try to remove those as much as we can, but also make sure that it aligns

[1:19:04] with the work that we're undertaking and trying to advance here.

[1:19:07] So like I said, as long as it fits within those requirements,

[1:19:12] checks the necessary boxes in terms of, you know,

[1:19:16] the categories that we're looking to address,

[1:19:18] then we would consider funding any application that we receive.

[1:19:22] Okay.

[1:19:24] Third question was around accountability.

[1:19:30] The duplication of services via the stakeholders and the community.

[1:19:33] So what's being done based on accountability?

[1:19:36] ability to put the roadblocks in, so we're not

[1:19:41] doing the same services in particularly in the African

[1:19:47] Nova Scotia community.

[1:19:48] So as much as we can, we always try to be mindful of that.

[1:19:54] There are things that are beyond our influence

[1:19:59] that we don't have control over, but we do try to make sure

[1:20:02] that we're not reinventing the wheel, so to speak,

[1:20:04] when there's already, you know, meaningful initiatives and programs and

[1:20:10] things of that nature that are already addressing certain things, but if

[1:20:13] there's ways that we can try to collaborate with folks to enhance the impact

[1:20:18] and broaden the reach, then we'll explore the ways that we can do that when we

[1:20:22] can, but there are always going to be external folks that are doing work that we

[1:20:28] don't have any influence over, and you know, we can't really hold those folks

[1:20:32] accountable outside of, like I said, our municipal scope.

[1:20:36] Okay, thank you.

[1:20:38] Thank you very much and we'll move to Councillor Santamon, please.

[1:20:42] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, Russell, for your leadership on this and your thoughtful

[1:20:47] responses to all of the questions that have been asked thus far.

[1:20:50] I wanted to pick up on what Councillor Hinch asked about with respect to, you know, whether

[1:20:56] training is mandatory or simply available.

[1:20:59] There are some limitations that even I've bumped into, I mean, in taking on this job, I

[1:21:04] quickly become very aware of what I don't know.

[1:21:09] And so as empathetic as I am and as progressive as I feel, I know there's lots of room

[1:21:15] to improve.

[1:21:16] And I think your training that would be available from your department would help every

[1:21:21] counselor around the table be better at their job.

[1:21:23] And I've asked about training that is made available to HRM employees before and it was

[1:21:30] not available to Council and that to me meant that we've got a little bit of gap filling

[1:21:36] to do because there are some great opportunities for training that are made available to HRM

[1:21:42] employees that are arguably I guess the thinking would be their frontline employees, but so

[1:21:47] or we, we're just in a completely different capacity.

[1:21:51] And so I would love to have the opportunity to take some of the training that's available

[1:21:55] from your team.

[1:21:56] So, and maybe the requirement is broader.

[1:21:59] Maybe it's that the training that would be made available to council would be so specialized,

[1:22:04] so unique because we are a unique body among HRM's team.

[1:22:08] We're not the typical employee.

[1:22:10] We interact with the public in a very different way and Councillor Mancini referred to that.

[1:22:14] that, you know, we wind up in community facing some of the unique challenges that are presented

[1:22:20] by our residents, particularly when it comes to fighting racism that, you know, we may

[1:22:27] or may not all universally come to this job with the tools to combat.

[1:22:31] So I think your team would be able to provide us with tremendously valuable insight into how

[1:22:36] to manage expectations with the community, what kind of information would be valuable for

[1:22:41] the community to connect with in an effort to provide the community with a better sense

[1:22:47] of what it is that the municipality is doing or not doing, I think there may be a missed

[1:22:54] opportunity there, and I'm eager to weigh in on this idea that whether it's mandatory

[1:22:58] or not, even if it's just available to council, to learn from at least access some of the resources

[1:23:05] that are available to quote unquote traditional HRM employees so that we have some of that insight and not to mention the fact that we will then have an awareness of what our teams that are interacting with the public are learning and therefore able to implement.

[1:23:21] So the one thing that I would want to put on your radar is give some thought as to what the unique nature of training might be that would be applicable to council, whether it's exactly the same as what frontline employees at HRM and various different business units would wind up needing.

[1:23:35] or whether there's some other type of training that you would feel from your position of expertise would be beneficial for council to be able to take in that would make us better at our job because you will be able to help move the needle on that front in a way that we would never be able to achieve on our own.

[1:23:52] Thank you.

[1:23:52] Through

[1:23:59] you, Mr. Mayor, to the councilor, I don't really feel like it was a question, but I appreciate

[1:24:04] You know everything that you shared and

[1:24:06] You know through the leadership of Tracy Jones Grant the managing director working closely with HR and just looking at you know

[1:24:12] What we might be able to do in terms of providing those training opportunities?

[1:24:18] I think that there's immense value in it

[1:24:20] So I think that you know we can take it away and see what we might be able to do to provide that training to you folks

[1:24:30] Okay. Thank you very much, Councillor Devil again, please.

[1:24:33] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councillor Hinch, for requesting the presentation.

[1:24:38] It was much needed and much appreciated. Thank you, Russell, very much. You know, they

[1:24:46] always say that it's the details that scare you. And the strategy and the presentation, you

[1:24:58] unit within HRM and you know I know that right now it's not the financial

[1:25:03] ask and that following this it says no the business units will determine the

[1:25:08] timeline and the cost for any specific initiatives. This is a huge piece of

[1:25:14] work that is in front of you now and I guess I'm kind of wondering how long do

[1:25:20] you think it will take the business units or is there any estimate from today to

[1:25:26] when we might see a timeline and the cost? Is this something that we're going to see in this budget

[1:25:31] year maybe or is it going to be something that we see in the next budget year?

[1:25:37] And just if I may, Councillor Young, one of the items on consent today was around the centralized

[1:25:46] grant concept. So, you know, PGA has very nicely given us a parting gift of some homework,

[1:25:52] And within that concept of developing the centralized grant, we might see there where maybe there might be duplication services.

[1:26:00] We'll see duplication or where there is complimentary funding available to different service providers so that actually might be something helpful.

[1:26:10] But back to my question really about this timeline and how the business units will do it.

[1:26:15] One of the words that I caught in the presentation was inclusive procurement as well.

[1:26:22] I know that we have worked really hard for our social procurement policy, and so I'm

[1:26:28] wondering how you're seeing an evolution of the social procurement policy to something else.

[1:26:33] We have to be so careful when we call something inclusive that it has in different genres,

[1:26:39] a specific definition. So I was just thinking about that. So timeline and then social procurement

[1:26:47] and inclusive procurement, there was probably two items that might be made of response on, thank you so much.

[1:26:58] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, again, thank you for the questions.

[1:27:03] So to the first question around the timeline, so it's laid out in attachment to, so we have already engaged with every single business unit across the organization, and we have shared the action items with those business units.

[1:27:20] and we've worked with those business units on those timelines.

[1:27:24] So initially when we did the outreach,

[1:27:27] you know, we had the conversation around, is this realistic?

[1:27:30] Because we do want to ensure that these timelines are realistic.

[1:27:34] So we had conversations, some of the timelines increased,

[1:27:37] some of them decreased, like, you know, those are things that are going to happen.

[1:27:40] You know, and we, as much as we are subject matter experts on,

[1:27:44] you know, the work that we lead, we're not subject matter experts on

[1:27:48] the things that are being led by other business units.

[1:27:50] So again, we had those conversations with those folks to determine if these timelines were realistic.

[1:27:57] So based on what we have here in attachment to, those timelines have been agreed upon by the business units.

[1:28:04] And it's something that they believe that we can successfully implement within that timeframe.

[1:28:10] To the question around the budget or financial implications, there is a likelihood that we

[1:28:22] will come back at some time seeking funding, whether or not we get it.

[1:28:26] That's to be determined, but we will be trying to explore as many opportunities as possible

[1:28:31] to apply for funding.

[1:28:33] the province is really working at developing a list of available funding and resources

[1:28:41] that is being shared with everyone that's undertaking this work.

[1:28:46] And so like I already have started some applications, but seeking the approval and the endorsement

[1:28:53] of this work is required before I can actually submit those applications.

[1:28:57] So we'll have some work ahead of me to try to secure funding.

[1:29:01] Thank you. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you for that. Councillor Morse, please.

[1:29:08] Thank you, Mr. Marin. Thank you, Russell, for the report and presentation and all the work

[1:29:12] that you've done to bring this forward. I'm wondering if you could say a little bit more about the

[1:29:19] 311 enhancements, maybe a bit more detail around those recommendations you have, how we can improve 311.

[1:29:28] one. And just similar to Councillor Degro Gammon, I'm concerned, you know, I've seen over

[1:29:33] the years we have wonderful strategies, wonderful plans, but we don't always resource them.

[1:29:41] And until we have some finances attached, some resources attached, we can't make a lot

[1:29:46] of progress. So I'm just a little bit worried about that end of things. And you know, when

[1:29:52] And we might see, you know, sort of a financial plan.

[1:29:55] You mentioned that there will be...

[1:30:00] But will it be advancing the same priorities that you have and your team has and council has? So I just like to know a little bit more about how we're going to match the strategy with the financial resources that are needed. Thank you.

[1:30:19] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor. Thank you for the questions. So regarding the first question around the 311b, so that is something that we'll be working with those folks with to determine kind of what

[1:30:33] But what can be captured, you know, what are the things like, you know, we're exploring

[1:30:39] like is there additional training?

[1:30:41] Is there additional, like if we're talking about like translation services and things

[1:30:46] like that?

[1:30:46] Because those have been barriers for people to even call 3-1-1, so we want to look at like,

[1:30:51] what are the things that we can develop so that they're available and that folks are able

[1:30:57] to respond, whether there's a complaint or concern, that they feel like they have the

[1:31:01] proper channels to be able to do that, so those some of the pieces that will be working closely with 3-1-1.

[1:31:07] I just trying to assess what's not available, what needs to be available, and then how do we bring that to life.

[1:31:14] And to your second question around the funding and resourcing around this, the

[1:31:25] small but mighty diversity and inclusion team will be

[1:31:28] We–shouldering a big brunt of the heavy lifting here but we will be, you know, working

[1:31:34] closely, like I said in partnership with all business units and determining kind of

[1:31:39] what this looks like and how do we – and ensure that we are actually able to advance

[1:31:44] this work, and advance it in a way that results in impact, it results in folks fuelling a sense

[1:31:51] of psychological safety, belonging, inclusion, you know, all of these things that we really

[1:31:57] we hope to accomplish through this work and through the funding that we'll be seeking externally,

[1:32:07] they're already looking at ways to, or sorry not ways to, but they're looking at the

[1:32:13] eligibility requirements.

[1:32:15] So we'll be looking at those same eligibility requirements, so we'll be looking at the action

[1:32:20] items and determining what action items fall under this funding opportunity.

[1:32:26] So, you know, it very well may look like we're applying for multiple grants, multiple, you know, funding opportunities to resource and to back the work that we're undertaking.

[1:32:41] So, like I said, we're really looking at, you know, surveying what's out there and then seeing where it applies, what it applies to.

[1:32:50] and then ensuring that we get our application in.

[1:32:53] We work with the province to help strengthen those applications.

[1:32:58] Because obviously we really hope to secure that funding to take some of that financial burden

[1:33:02] and responsibility off of future budget considerations.

[1:33:07] Okay, thank you very much.

[1:33:08] Thanks.

[1:33:09] Okay, thank you, Russell.

[1:33:10] I don't see any other names on the list.

[1:33:12] I'll just jump in and say on behalf of the council, tremendous thanks to you and Tracey and

[1:33:17] team for a very substantial and timely piece of work here. This is really important. I was listening

[1:33:23] very carefully to hear how the community will continue to be involved in making sure that this

[1:33:29] is a live document and that evolves as it needs to. And I heard that in sections three and four of

[1:33:35] your action plan, listen and learn. So thank you for that. And I think we're all really excited about

[1:33:43] those two forward facing pieces, the dashboard and the report card and how that can also continue

[1:33:47] to include community and keep a solid price. So I don't have a question. I just wanted to share

[1:33:51] those thoughts with you and again to say thanks for the incredible work. Thank you. And colleagues,

[1:33:57] with that, what is your pleasure? Question is called in

[1:34:15] the motion carries. Thank you very much.

[1:34:19] Okay, colleagues. We will move on then to item 10.2, proposed amendments to administrative order 29,

[1:34:35] I can put the motion on the floor, Mr. Mayor,

[1:34:42] I move that Halifax Regional Council adopt the proposed amendments to administrative order 29, respecting civic addressing policies that set out an attachment a of the staff report dated June 9th, 2026 to approve one.

[1:34:55] The renaming of Garden Court, Dartmouth, to Barry's Run Court, Dartmouth, and to the renaming of Linwood Drive Halifax to Rockingham Drive Halifax.

[1:35:07] I think I saw Councillor Steele's hand up there on the second.

[1:35:16] So I think what I'm going to do is recommend that we vote for an alternative and I'll just give a little bit of a preamble before that and hear what my colleagues have to say.

[1:35:30] Just to recap, about Linwood Drive, I don't think there are too many issues about Garden

[1:35:35] Court changing the name to Barry's run, but about Linwood Drive.

[1:35:40] This is one of three Linwood drives in HRM.

[1:35:44] It has to do with after a malgommation, having a lot of duplicate street names, and we're

[1:35:50] in the process of changing them to avoid confusion mainly for first responders.

[1:35:57] Linnwood Drive in my district was chosen for the name change because it has the fewest

[1:36:01] residents, which is part of our protocol when changing street names.

[1:36:06] We choose to impact the fewest number of residents as we can.

[1:36:11] So when this was first proposed about a year ago, there were strong objections from some

[1:36:17] residents on heritage grounds, and I did not understand how the name Linnwood had a heritage

[1:36:24] connection. So I asked our heritage staff to look into it, and they did a very extensive

[1:36:32] search of archives, old newspapers, and that sort of thing. And they were not able to

[1:36:38] find a clear connection. Since then, about 750 people have signed a petition objecting

[1:36:48] to the name change. And I think that we have to consider what it would mean if we changed

[1:36:54] to the name against the wishes of so many people.

[1:37:00] Linwood Drive was the first home for some of HRM's earliest immigrants from Lebanon.

[1:37:06] And the objections are mainly coming from Sister's Petition Paula Arab, whose family made

[1:37:12] their first home on Linwood Drive.

[1:37:15] And their home became a welcome center and an orientation center for dozens of families

[1:37:23] from Lebanon, you know, through their openness and their generosity, Linwood Drive became

[1:37:32] kind of a community center for the families who followed.

[1:37:37] And so that kind of history isn't really written down or always documented in archives.

[1:37:44] It's, you know, can be oral history, can be history found in the hearts and minds of people

[1:37:51] who left a home in Lebanon and chose Halifax as their new home with the help of their new community.

[1:38:00] So it's been an education for me and I would say Linwood Drive holds the name, holds a special place in the hearts and memories of many people in HRM.

[1:38:12] And we do not as a council have a process as yet for how to take this history into account.

[1:38:19] And when there are so many objections to a street name, I think we need to maybe look

[1:38:25] at a different process, and staff have suggested one in alternative two.

[1:38:32] So that's my preamble and I can, I think what I'm recommending is that we vote down

[1:38:38] the initial motion and go with alternative two, but I welcome my colleagues comments on

[1:38:44] this.

[1:38:44] Thank you.

[1:38:45] Thank you very much and we'll go to Councilor Mancini, please.

[1:38:48] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:38:50] You know, this is why we bring things like this to Council because typically 95% of the

[1:38:57] time, 99% of the time we see these name changes and we give it a thumbs up and away we go.

[1:39:04] The question I have for staff and I support what the Councilor is going to do in recommending

[1:39:09] the alternative.

[1:39:10] But, you know, what's the definition of historic?

[1:39:13] What's the definition of heritage, right?

[1:39:16] So when the councilor went away and said,

[1:39:18] look, there's a claim of heritage here, status,

[1:39:22] staff went away and didn't, couldn't find anything, right?

[1:39:25] There's a claim by the Arab family

[1:39:27] that there's a historic presence to this address,

[1:39:31] to the street.

[1:39:32] And so I would hope when staff,

[1:39:34] if we approve, it would turn down the emotions

[1:39:37] in the floor and approve the alternative, that part of it is coming back with a definition

[1:39:43] to understand this. So again, this is why we do it. I know Councillor Borson and I have

[1:39:49] many conversations on this topic, we're a little concerned, it's the right thing to do,

[1:39:52] because the process is if there's multiple streets to pick the street with the fewest residents

[1:39:58] on it, and that's typically our process, but this is worth while a second look.

[1:40:03] And I'm also appreciative, we're not making the decision today, yay or nay.

[1:40:06] All right, let's go forward, let's fly more information, let's bring that back and then

[1:40:11] have a discussion at that point in time.

[1:40:13] So I support the intent to turn down the motion of floor and then support the alternative

[1:40:18] that will be posed.

[1:40:20] I just asked the Heritage Historic Definition to be part of it.

[1:40:23] Thank you.

[1:40:24] Thank you.

[1:40:25] Councillor Young, please.

[1:40:27] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:40:29] I just have a little question.

[1:40:30] So what was the alternative to Councillor Morrison's referring to?

[1:40:37] I could read the alternative if I was helpful.

[1:40:41] The councillor is proposing that we accept Part 1, reject Part 2, and then move alternative

[1:40:48] 2 on page 5 of the staff report as the alternative to Part 2, which is approve the renaming of

[1:40:54] in court Dartmouth and reject the renaming of Linwood Drive Halifax under this alternative

[1:41:00] staff will reassess the proposed renaming of Linwood Drive at such time that a broader

[1:41:05] asset naming policy review has been completed.

[1:41:09] Okay.

[1:41:11] Oh, thank you.

[1:41:13] Okay.

[1:41:13] Thank you.

[1:41:14] I commend Councillor Morse for doing that.

[1:41:17] Thank you very much.

[1:41:18] I've been speaking back and forth with Paula and Patricia as well.

[1:41:20] And based on the information that they provide with me, it's to them, it is historic, it's a historical

[1:41:32] Lebanese community with the Lebanese families that moved in the early 1960s.

[1:41:39] And it's a legacy to the community that they would like to continue.

[1:41:44] Thank you. So, with the alternative, I agree with Councillor Morse on that, and I just

[1:41:54] want to let Paul and Patricia know that I agree with what they conveyed to me in

[1:42:01] our conversations. Thank you. Thank you, and we'll move to Councillor

[1:42:06] St. Monter, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I've heard from residents as

[1:42:10] well, and I'm appreciative of Councillor Morse of her sensitivity on the subject and taking

[1:42:15] the time to reach out to the community to better understand what the origins of this historic

[1:42:20] nature would be. I'm supportive of the alternative as well. I do still have a follow-up question

[1:42:25] for staff. I'm wondering what are the implications of what would ostensibly be a remaining duplication,

[1:42:32] not just of Linwood Drive in triplicate form, but we also noted in the staff report, and

[1:42:38] not specifically addressed as a principal concern, is the duplication of Linwood as a name

[1:42:45] with drive and lane in the same community and actually touching one another.

[1:42:49] If the premise is that this duplication represents a challenge to first responders, for example,

[1:42:57] might we look at the renaming of Linwood Lane, or is there some other consideration here

[1:43:02] that we need to try to afford to the naming of the streets in this area in order to solve

[1:43:08] that particular problem while we look at the longer-term implications of keeping three

[1:43:13] Linwood drives around. I'm just curious whether or not that represents a challenge going forward.

[1:43:36] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the question. The recommendation that was

[1:43:41] brought forward today was considered kind of an initial step in resolving the exact duplication issue.

[1:43:47] So there is a case where there is an exactly duplicated straight name across three different

[1:43:54] communities in HRM, so Lim would drive duplicated indictment as Halifax.

[1:44:00] And the intent with today's recommendation was to reduce the number of exact duplicates.

[1:44:07] We will be returning to the Civic Addressing Public Safety Committee meeting this fall with

[1:44:13] update on council's decision today and we'll be reassessing kind of potential future recommendations

[1:44:18] to address the existing duplicates for Limwood Drive as well as potentially a correction of Limwood

[1:44:26] Lane within the same community. However, if Limwood Drive Halifax were to be corrected,

[1:44:31] the existence of just Limwood Lane within the same community differentiated by street type and

[1:44:36] community name would be seen as a lower priority as kind of a standalone issue. So,

[1:44:42] So we'd be looking at considering corrections there in relation to kind of other high priority projects.

[1:44:47] All right, okay.

[1:44:49] Yeah.

[1:44:50] All right, well, I mean, I can imagine that there are at least some instances where when someone calls 911, for example, they just ref-

[1:45:00] On, driver, lane, and so I imagine that winds up potentially complicating things, and so first responders would wind up looking for some clarity before they respond. So it's good to know that it's on the radar. I'm just looking forward to staff's recommendation on how that particular facet gets solved when we hang on to the existing duplicate of the prefix. Thank you. Thank you very much, Councillor Austin, please. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you, Councillor Morse, for your work on this.

[1:45:31] Um, you know, I'm just going to note that like, you know, the work of civic addressing

[1:45:37] here is important. Um, like, you know, having duplicate names is an issue. Um, I recently

[1:45:43] was contacted by one of my residents who's day ended up in complete turmoil because her

[1:45:49] excess of, well, excess of us went to Highfield Street in the, uh, Springfield, rather than

[1:45:55] Highfield Park Drive and Dartmouth. So, you know, it does happen over the years. I have heard

[1:46:00] from people, you know, it's kind of within a neighborhood, Louise Court and Lois Court

[1:46:06] and Dartmouth. That's one where people, they're used to seeing each other's parcels from time

[1:46:11] to time. And so, you know, these are the nuisances of life that, you know, impact people's day to day.

[1:46:18] But, you know, the last thing you want is for these sort of mistakes to occur in a 911 sort of

[1:46:23] situation. So the work here is important. The only kind of question I have for staff, you know,

[1:46:28] So if we're going to vary from policy, typically we would rename the one that's least impactful.

[1:46:35] Maitlunch Street and Dartmouth became Scotia Mole, for example, right?

[1:46:38] Because only had two, and two, I think, houses on it compared to many dozens compared to

[1:46:47] the Maitlin over in Halifax.

[1:46:48] So I mean, that's generally a sound approach to these things.

[1:46:51] But every now and then there might be reasons to deviate and say, well, the Linwood with

[1:46:56] the smaller number of homes, maybe that's the one that we should keep for other reasons,

[1:47:01] and look at renaming the other ones.

[1:47:03] And so just my question for staff would be, if council goes the route of kind of kicking

[1:47:07] this back to you, is that the implied message that you take from this is to look at the other

[1:47:15] linwoods? Because I mean at the end of the day, this is kind of a zero sum decision, only

[1:47:21] one of you gets to keep linwood.

[1:47:22] Through you, Mr. Mayor, to the Councillor, thank you for the question.

[1:47:29] Our immediate action wouldn't be in this specific case to immediately pursue a renaming

[1:47:35] exercise on one of the other limo drives that exists.

[1:47:39] Administrative order 29 is being reviewed as part of a broader asset naming policy review

[1:47:44] that's upcoming, so we will be reviewing the criteria in our street naming and renaming

[1:47:49] policy starting this year.

[1:47:53] So the intent would be that we would review the project kind of more holistically again

[1:47:58] once the criteria within administrative order 29 have been reviewed specifically in this case.

[1:48:04] The section within the policy that references the historical significance piece and how that should be considered when streets are being renamed for safety purposes.

[1:48:13] So in short, we would be essentially holding another recommendation on the renaming of

[1:48:19] Limwood Drive or any naming of any Limwood Drive until the outcome of the broader policy review is completed.

[1:48:26] Okay. Can I ask, how did this originate from the committee, because it's my understanding

[1:48:33] that usually these things arrive at the committee, because you've had an incident like the excess of us going to the wrong place,

[1:48:39] mail going to the wrong place or 9-1-1, running into some issue.

[1:48:49] Go ahead.

[1:48:50] To the councillor, thank you.

[1:48:54] This case originated from public feedback regarding ongoing continuous mail and delivery

[1:49:01] mix-ups between the various Limwood drives.

[1:49:04] So at committee meetings, we typically prioritize reviewing cases brought forward by emergency

[1:49:09] the responders, so that could be incidents which have occurred due to street name duplication

[1:49:14] such as is the case with a garden court that we're recommending today.

[1:49:19] But we also review essentially complaints that have been submitted by the public in reference

[1:49:24] to specific issues they're experiencing.

[1:49:27] So Forelin would drive Halifax, it was resident driven relating to parcel and mail delivery

[1:49:33] mix-ups.

[1:49:34] Okay, so I think we should just sit with that folks that, you know, if we do alternative

[1:49:41] to, it doesn't remove the issue that has come from a place like this isn't staff going

[1:49:46] out trying to find a problem, this is a reported problem that's come into us.

[1:49:50] And so if we're going to do alternative to my mind anyway and I'm kind of okay with it,

[1:49:56] you know, there's an inherent to me around if you actually want to fix this, then the

[1:50:02] The other lindwoods are going to have to have their names changed eventually.

[1:50:05] They're not the first and they're not the last, but we've run into some particular

[1:50:10] circumstances here.

[1:50:11] That's my take.

[1:50:12] Thank you.

[1:50:13] Thank you.

[1:50:14] It's Marie, right?

[1:50:16] Marie, thank you, Marie, for answering the questions.

[1:50:19] It looks like this is heading in the right direction.

[1:50:21] I did just want to add my own thought here.

[1:50:24] Beginning with acknowledging the work this staff has done, as Councillor Austin and others

[1:50:28] There's a point out this work to eliminate duplicate streets is really important around emergency

[1:50:33] response.

[1:50:35] Balancing that, we've heard this really clear and compelling feedback about the changing

[1:50:40] of Linwood Drive residents and their families, the Canadian Lebanon Society of Halifax, the

[1:50:46] honorary consulate of Lebanon, has chimed in on this.

[1:50:51] And they've all made the case that connects the street name to a deep history and heritage

[1:50:56] in the kind of deep identity in the Lebanese community that Councillor Morse has highlighted

[1:51:02] through her conversations and reporting back on that today.

[1:51:07] So I think we've heard a really clear message from community on what their preference.

[1:51:14] And I think the way that Councillor Morse has asked us to proceed or one way that would

[1:51:20] achieve what her intention is would be to split the motion, approve part one, decide

[1:51:28] not to approve part two, and then Councillor Moores could move the alternative. So are there

[1:51:33] any other names popping up? I don't see any others. Does that sound like a good word? I see

[1:51:39] Councillor Delegane.

[1:51:43] Just for clarity, the alternative to

[1:51:47] who does say approve the renaming of garden courts,

[1:51:49] so it doesn't look like we need to.

[1:51:53] Yeah, I had a short conversation with our solicitor

[1:51:56] about that, and it came down 50-50.

[1:51:58] It doesn't matter either way if we can do it either way.

[1:52:02] It's tantamount to the same outcome.

[1:52:04] We still get a approval of one and a denial of the other.

[1:52:07] Thank you.

[1:52:08] OK, you're welcome.

[1:52:12] I got a clear answer.

[1:52:17] Okay, let's proceed to the vote, shall we? And this will be, we'll split it and this

[1:52:21] will be on part one.

[1:52:53] Part one of the motion carries. We'll now vote on, we'll now Councillor

[1:53:00] Mancini, if it's okay with you, we'll vote on part two of the motion. And as you would

[1:53:05] call Councillor Morris as asked us to vote against this one.

[1:53:27] Part two fails.

[1:53:43] Councillor

[1:53:43] an error, please. Councillor Hinch would like to change her vote.

[1:53:47] Change my vote to no. Thank you.

[1:53:49] Yes, so the clerk's office will record that as I know vote, so that the outcome does

[1:53:56] not change, the motion was defeated.

[1:54:01] And now Councillor Morse, would you like to move the alternative?

[1:54:07] Thank you. I move that we approve the renaming of Garden Court Dartmouth and reject the

[1:54:13] renaming of Linwood Drive Halifax, Rockingham Halifax.

[1:54:16] under this alternative staff will reassess the proposed renaming of Linwood Drive at such

[1:54:22] time that a broader asset naming policy review has been completed.

[1:54:29] I'm sure somebody was recorded as the seconder there. That was a three-way tie as far as

[1:54:34] I could see. And so the motion is on the floor and I see Councillor David Cameron has her

[1:54:42] light on. Thank you very much. I have a question about

[1:54:46] the alternative, I wasn't sure if we were supposed to speak to that before when it came

[1:54:51] on the floor, but does I guess I'm just wondering about what is the future impact of this because

[1:54:59] it seems like we're now using or taking in an oral history as part of our decision making

[1:55:07] process when we're looking at street names. I'm a cake right nurse, so of course oral histories

[1:55:13] are part of how we grow up, right, Councillor Mancini? But oral histories can be very subjective

[1:55:22] and sometimes it depends on who you ask on which side of the street and who married

[1:55:27] who and who didn't marry who. So when you look at that kind of oral history, I think

[1:55:33] we have to be very careful. So I agree with the alternative, but I just

[1:55:40] a caution about if we're going to use oral histories. Where does that reside? Does it have a different

[1:55:49] kind of criteria? And where does it reside in any kind of futures of it addressing? I think that's

[1:55:55] very important for us to look at. So thank you for allowing me the comment. Thank you.

[1:56:00] Thank you very much. And let's see, no one else on the board shall we proceed to the vote?

[1:56:05] And

[1:56:33] the motion carries.

[1:56:36] Thank you very much, colleagues, for that excellent discussion.

[1:56:40] In our enthusiasm, we move quickly past something we said we were going to do during

[1:56:45] the order of business part of our discussion, which was to test a number of the in-camera

[1:56:50] items before we actually get to item 17, as you may recall, and we did approve that reordering.

[1:56:59] The deputy mayor did bring forward 17-5 and that was in the list of ones to be tested

[1:57:04] where we were intent to test 17-1 through 17-5.

[1:57:08] Obviously, we've already done 17-5, but I wonder if perhaps Councillor Mancini would like

[1:57:16] to do some testing.

[1:57:19] Oh, okay.

[1:57:20] Very good.

[1:57:21] Oh, there we go.

[1:57:22] Oh, in fact, I beg your pardon.

[1:57:23] I was on the wrong screen and I actually see Councillor Hensby in the list first, so we'll

[1:57:27] go to Councillor Hensby.

[1:57:28] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to move the in-camera minutes of July 14th, 2026 to be approved and circulated.

[1:57:36] Seconded by a Councillor Kent and all those in favour of the hand vote for the minutes, right?

[1:57:51] Yes? Okay.

[1:57:57] Show of hands on favour of approving the in-camera minutes. Very good. Those are approved.

[1:58:01] The subsequent votes will be recorded, and would you, Councillor Austin, 17-2?

[1:58:08] Yes.

[1:58:08] Thank you.

[1:58:09] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[1:58:11] I'll test 17-2.

[1:58:13] I move that Halifax Regional Council 1 adopt the recommendations as outlined in the

[1:58:17] Private and Confidential Report, dated July 30th, 2026, and direct the private and confidential

[1:58:24] report, dated July 30th, 2026, be maintained private and confidential.

[1:58:28] Second. Seconded by Councillor Kent. And this will be a digital vote, Colleague.

[1:58:54] And the motion carries. Thank you very much. And we'll go back to Councillor Mancini,

[1:58:58] please. Oh, no, I'm good. Oh, you're good. Well, would anyone like to test 17-3? Councillor

[1:59:05] Councillor, was that, was that you, Sean? Oh, Councillor Daugherment.

[1:59:12] I would test 17-7. 17-7.

[1:59:25] Let's, let's, well, thank you, Councillor

[1:59:29] Hinch. One at a time here. Let's just, I'm just going to make sure I understand this one.

[1:59:43] Okay, yes, Counselor Dale Yemen has asked to test 17-7. Is there a seconder for that?

[1:59:50] Counselor Hensby on the second and we will go to the vote on that.

[2:00:00] There's some names on the list here. I beg your pardon. I would like to discuss that in camera. Okay. All right. So that's not going to work. Let's let's then go back to.

[2:00:12] It didn't fly. No. So we will discuss 17 seven in camera. Then I believe Councillor Hinch was going to offer to test 17 three.

[2:00:31] I move the Hello best regional council one adopt the recommend. Sorry. Oh, adopt the recommendation.

[2:00:39] As outlined in the private and confidential report dated July 30th, 2026 and to direct the private and confidential report dated July 30th, 2026 being maintained private and confidential.

[2:00:52] Seconded by Councillor Cleary. Is that a discussion on the motion?

[2:00:58] I would like to discuss 173 and 174 on camera please.

[2:01:04] Okay, all right, so that that fails seven looks like 17 3 and 17 4 will stay on the agenda. We've already done 17 5.

[2:01:15] Any other ideas folks for testing?

[2:01:21] Okay, so we've successfully dispensed with 17 2 17 1 and 17 5.

[2:01:29] Thank you for that.

[2:01:30] We can get through a couple more things here before the mid-day recess.

[2:01:42] Notices of table, item 11, notices of table of matters, I don't believe there are any.

[2:01:47] We do not, item 12, we do not have a public hearing today.

[2:01:51] Item 13, correspondence, petitions and delegations starting with correspondence, Madam Clerk.

[2:01:56] Yes, correspondence has received and recirculated items 10.2, 1532 and 161.

[2:02:03] Thank you very much and colleagues any petitions today Councillor Mancini.

[2:02:10] Mr. Mayor, I'd like to present a following petition with regard to ongoing traffic

[2:02:16] concerns at 6, 12, windmill road, specifically regarding access to a little Picasso, daycare

[2:02:23] and surrounding plaza, so I submit this petition.

[2:02:26] I'm wondering since I do have the floor, Mr. Mayor, you know, come to the petitions, we're

[2:02:32] be in residence and say, oh, what can we do? Should we do a partition? And it really depends on what

[2:02:39] the item is. I'm quite frank with them saying, you know what? I'm not going to do any good. And

[2:02:43] sometimes in May, as we saw happened earlier with Councillor Morris's item on the Lindwood property,

[2:02:47] but I think we need to do a better job of managing expectations. Just because the

[2:02:52] petitions presented, it doesn't mean action of any kind, other than it's been presented. Typically,

[2:02:56] if action is needed, you know, a motion has to come from the

[2:03:01] Councillor or from the floor at the time. With regard to this item here, staff, we're

[2:03:06] already working on this intersection and examining it and they need to be done. I just state

[2:03:13] that we need to do some education with residents. Residents want to do something so this is something

[2:03:20] easy for the doom, but it's work, right? They have to get out there and talk to people. It's

[2:03:23] lot of work, and I want to just manage your expectation well. And so, you know, I'm not

[2:03:28] suggesting any action at this point in time, Mr. Mayor, I'm just thinking we could probably do a

[2:03:32] better job when someone says, should we do a petition or when they reach out to the clerk's office,

[2:03:39] the clerk's office, you know, maybe they can bring it up to another level, okay, here's what happens

[2:03:43] when you present a petition, or here's what may not happen, just so that we're managing their

[2:03:49] So it's just my two cents worth I want to share at this point in time thank you.

[2:03:54] Thank you very much and let's just see.

[2:04:00] We're on petitions deputy mayor.

[2:04:04] Thank you. I just wanted to have a response to support councillor Mancini's points about petitions.

[2:04:13] That I agree that we do need to educate the public on petitions.

[2:04:17] So I also want to note that I think that they are a better vehicle for communicating to council on items of significance than mass email campaigns.

[2:04:28] And I think when there are significant issues that the public want to bring forward, organizing a petition with the proper information and postal codes is more effective than sending us hundreds or thousands of emails.

[2:04:44] Thank you.

[2:04:46] Thank you very much for that.

[2:04:49] You'll remember in the order of business we agreed to move Councillor Hartling's

[2:04:54] motion 16.1 to the slot directly before item 15 and so that would be now.

[2:05:03] We've had about nine minutes, I'd suggest we get started and perhaps beginning with Councillor

[2:05:07] Hartling getting the motion on the floor and see what we can accomplish Councillor Hartling.

[2:05:12] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

[2:05:13] I move that Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to one write a formal letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting the immediate reconsideration of the 30-meter Coastal Buffer Policies, draft Regional Plan June 2025, section 6.5.7, Coastal Protection, EN-47, and EN-58 as approved by Regional Council in the June 2025 Regional Plan.

[2:05:40] Two, including the correspondence, the formal support from the Urban Development Institute of Nova Scotia regarding the 30-meter coastal setback alongside an urgent appeal for Municipal Regulatory Tools following the Abandonment of the Coastal Protection Act and three pending confirmation from the minister that the 30-meter coastal buffers or coastal buffer policies are acceptable, prepare a staff report and return with recommendations on establishing the 30-meter coastal buffer as a standalone coastal amendment package.

[2:06:11] Seconded by Councillor Mancini.

[2:06:16] Love it.

[2:06:17] The only thing that I would like to add, and thank you very much, colleagues, is that

[2:06:23] in addition to what I've already included in the rationale, what we are asking for is

[2:06:27] neither radical or untested, I would just like to note that the municipality of the district

[2:06:31] of Loonenberg, as well as Cumberland County, have already established similar 30-meter coastal

[2:06:39] buffer policies, and as I understand it so has the entire province of New Brunswick, I would

[2:06:45] just like to add that the coastal buffer was previously approved by this council.

[2:06:49] The intent of this motion is to advance sound policy back by science to the province with

[2:06:54] documented industry support. Thank you very much. Thank you, Councillor Mancini.

[2:07:01] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councillor for bringing this forward. You know,

[2:07:06] So my interest in this topic is around the 30 meters set back for lakes and water courses

[2:07:15] within the municipality.

[2:07:17] You know at the time when the regional plan, our most updated regional plan was presented,

[2:07:22] this got rejected by the province.

[2:07:25] And it's interesting because my understanding is it didn't get rejected until the representative

[2:07:31] of ADI and former councilor Steve Adams made a stink with the problems.

[2:07:36] And went out and said, hey, wait a minute, you know, this is going to prevent us from building

[2:07:39] units.

[2:07:40] Plus, there's no evidence.

[2:07:42] Wow.

[2:07:43] I beg to differ, Mr. Adams.

[2:07:44] There's tons of scientific evidence out there.

[2:07:47] The further away we are from a water course or further away we are from our lake, the better

[2:07:52] it is for that lake.

[2:07:53] Our lakes, you know, we're so lucky, you know, it's all over the municipality of the number

[2:07:58] lakes that we have, and particularly in Dartmouth, the study of lakes that Councillor Austin

[2:08:01] and the other Dartmouth Councilors and I represent, our lakes are stressed. They're stressed

[2:08:06] because of climate change, they're stressed because of development. A 30-meter buffer

[2:08:12] is just good climate strategy. Now I spoke to our staff and they said, you know what?

[2:08:18] I think we should push this through right now and they explained to us. She shared with me,

[2:08:21] they agreed that it's important to do this, but they said, if we go back to the province with

[2:08:26] There's no new additional information, their interpretation is still to get kicked back.

[2:08:32] So I respect that advice from our staff.

[2:08:36] I disagree that it should be kicked back, and I think the province respectfully have dropped the ball on this one.

[2:08:44] And if they're worried about units right now, when we talk about units, we need to be talking about,

[2:08:49] So, really, what was the number, Mr. Mayor, that you mentioned in your address as a chamber

[2:08:55] number units we needed?

[2:08:57] So, you know, what is that number we need, 10 to 10 to 10 to 1,000, where are we today?

[2:09:01] When do we need those by?

[2:09:03] We should be discussing that every time we're talking about a development.

[2:09:06] And my concern is, are we saying that it's more important to put up a unit versus the

[2:09:14] health of our lakes?

[2:09:15] And in Dartmouth, I say to all the developers out there and to our provincial colleagues,

[2:09:21] if you're going to be developing near Lake and development, we don't want it unless

[2:09:26] 30 meters away from that lake.

[2:09:28] Simple as that.

[2:09:29] And if you can't figure out how to change your design, we don't want it in Dartmouth.

[2:09:33] 30 meters just makes perfect sense.

[2:09:36] The science is there.

[2:09:37] I won't follow suit and staff will investigate.

[2:09:40] I think their intent is to hire a consultant to look at this further.

[2:09:43] Great.

[2:09:43] Okay, when that happens, we'll come back and have that discussion even further.

[2:09:47] I just wanted to be on the record today.

[2:09:49] 30 meters from a lake is responsible, responsible work.

[2:09:54] We should be doing that.

[2:09:56] Developers have to figure out how to do the development.

[2:09:58] 30 meters from our lakes, particularly in dark, but I thank you for that, Mr. Mayor.

[2:10:02] Thank you, and move to Councillor Austin, please.

[2:10:06] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[2:10:08] I won't belabor the point.

[2:10:09] I very much agree with my colleague, Councillor Mancini here on this.

[2:10:12] Um, you know, but I'm also very much a pragmatist and I think council

[2:10:17] Hartling has put in a lot of work on this in terms behind the scenes, um,

[2:10:21] trying to set out, you know, well, is there an actual objection to the coastal

[2:10:25] piece of this?

[2:10:26] And, you know, I think sometimes, uh, take the bird in hand versus, you know,

[2:10:31] continuing to be around the bush.

[2:10:32] We have one that might go through.

[2:10:34] It's very clear that they would reject the lakes piece.

[2:10:36] Again, if we try it, so, um, you know, there needs more work on that.

[2:10:41] And so I support Councillor Hartling on getting the measure that is actually doable within the constraints that we have.

[2:10:48] Thank you.

[2:10:50] Thank you very much. Moving to the deputy mayor, please.

[2:10:55] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[2:10:58] I agree with Councillor Mancini in terms of looking at this for water course step-backs, lakes and rivers.

[2:11:06] You know, the health of those water bodies is critically important.

[2:11:10] But another thing that we're seeing across the country is the trend of using our natural assets for storm water management.

[2:11:19] And we've seen changes in our climate, changes in our precipitation levels.

[2:11:25] And when this occurs, it really impacts our rivers, our lakes, our water levels and increases, you know, flooding risk.

[2:11:34] And so as we're looking ahead at building better climate resilience in our city, having

[2:11:40] stronger water core setbacks is critically important, but also looking at the value

[2:11:46] of these natural assets, whether it's a lake, whether it's a river, whether it's a wetland,

[2:11:53] as being a critical piece of our natural infrastructure to help us deal with storm water management,

[2:12:00] because putting in storm water infrastructure is incredibly costly.

[2:12:06] So, you know, while we're looking at it one way through the lens of development,

[2:12:11] I think the other way we need to look at it is, you know, for the integrity of the environment,

[2:12:15] but also for the resilience of our city as a whole when it comes to storm water.

[2:12:21] I do want to commend Councillor Hartling on looking to quickly, you know,

[2:12:27] retract the set course for ocean for coastline. I to think that that was a bit of

[2:12:34] overreach in how the province applied the taking away the 30 meter setback. I do

[2:12:45] agree it doesn't really have a major impact on development and you know there's

[2:12:52] opportunities to, you know, look at it on a more specific level.

[2:12:57] What I do have concern about is that when they initially did the Coastal Action Plan,

[2:13:05] the draft Coastal Action Plan for Nova Scotia, the one that the province did not adopt

[2:13:10] per claim, there was a variation in setback for coastal properties around the province

[2:13:16] based specifically on the geography.

[2:13:22] So if you were situated in an area of high erosion,

[2:13:26] there was a greater setback than if you were situated on a granite headland.

[2:13:32] There was a difference if you were in an area that was exposed to the elements

[2:13:36] versus if you were on an inlet or an estuary area.

[2:13:42] So it wasn't, there was a group A and a group B and there was never the intent to apply a uniform setback across the board to postal properties.

[2:13:55] It was really based on risk.

[2:14:00] So, I appreciate that the motion has been revised and is looking for staff report on

[2:14:08] this as opposed to, you know, writing a letter without the report, because I do think

[2:14:14] we have to consider, you know, the risk of properties not just doing a uniform setback

[2:14:22] for the sake of having a uniform setback and it being more of a performative measure

[2:14:26] than an actual effective measure. So those are things I think that we really need to take

[2:14:33] a close look at and put some consideration into. Thank you.

[2:14:40] Thank you very much Councillor Delegane, please.

[2:14:45] Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Councillor Hartley. You've done so much work on this.

[2:14:51] And you have stayed vigilant on the issue and the face of some of the things that most people

[2:14:56] all might have.

[2:15:00] Congratulations on sticking with this wholeheartedly agree with the 30-meter setback. And, you know,

[2:15:06] like Councillor Mancini said, our legs, I mean, HRM is full of legs, not just the city

[2:15:13] of documents, right? So we recently had a change in the development agreement that treated

[2:15:18] effluent was going to go into the lake, and now the developer is making a change. I think

[2:15:22] what really is scary for us when we're looking at development is that, you know, the life's

[2:15:28] fall under the Nova Scotia environment and climate change.

[2:15:31] The zoning in the by-law falls under us and sometimes we're in a bit of a battle because

[2:15:38] the province approves something where we may not or the community may not think it's the

[2:15:45] right thing to do and the one measure that is a little bit within our control is that

[2:15:50] meter set back from the water courses.

[2:15:52] So I really hope that everybody votes in favor of Councillor Hartling's motion.

[2:15:58] Thank you.

[2:16:00] Thank you.

[2:16:01] For that, Northern Ames on the list, I'm just going to share my own thoughts, colleagues,

[2:16:05] I understand why Councillor Hartling has brought this motion forward.

[2:16:09] I share your objective and the Council's objective in strengthening water course protections.

[2:16:15] This intervention is about the fact that the motion is asking us to act before the analysis

[2:16:21] that Council has already commissioned of SAF is complete, and as a reminder of what

[2:16:27] that work was during our most recent budget process, we approved a comprehensive assessment

[2:16:31] of potential changes to watercourse buffers supported by technical analysis and meaningful

[2:16:36] engagement with industry and other stakeholders, and that works not done yet.

[2:16:41] So it just seems, you know, we might want to wait for that to be in hand to make a more

[2:16:50] solid case back to the province. I think if we go back to them now without any new evidence,

[2:16:56] I would imagine it's unlikely to produce a different result, but if we went back to them with

[2:17:02] a stronger case that involves scientific analysis, stakeholder input, and what's important

[2:17:09] for the province to hear is a clear understanding of not just the environmental issues that play,

[2:17:14] but the ability to continue to build homes. I don't think we need to be making choices,

[2:17:19] between building homes or protecting water courses,

[2:17:22] but I do think we need the evidence to determine

[2:17:24] how we can best achieve both of those objectives.

[2:17:27] So I wouldn't, I'm hesitant to cancel voting

[2:17:32] against Councillor Hartling's motion.

[2:17:34] I think it may be a deferral until such time

[2:17:36] as that analysis that's underway would perhaps be in order.

[2:17:42] But I'll just offer that for your consideration today.

[2:17:45] Thank you.

[2:17:46] Councillor Hartling.

[2:17:48] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.

[2:17:49] The only thing that I would say in responses is that I initiated that conversation when

[2:17:56] I asked for a supplemental staff report, understanding the cost-benefit analysis of building

[2:18:03] housing and units vis-a-vis the provincial rejection.

[2:18:09] That was on October 7th.

[2:18:11] It was actually October 25th that UDI came back to the table with their letter of support.

[2:18:16] So I would say that the landscape has already changed.

[2:18:20] It's not that we have nothing new on the table.

[2:18:22] I, in my view, and I think that the motion that I have represent or that I have put forward today really speaks to that, that we have the information that we need.

[2:18:31] So I will leave it there.

[2:18:33] Thank you very much.

[2:18:35] Thank you.

[2:18:36] The question has been called.

[2:18:57] And the motion carries.

[2:18:59] We are at that point, but we did skip over item 14, which is information items brought

[2:19:09] forward.

[2:19:10] There are none, but now we can put a check mark next to that.

[2:19:13] So with that, we will have our midday recess, and we will be back and pick up the agenda

[2:19:19] at item 15.1.

[2:19:21] Thank you, and we'll see you at one o'clock.

[3:16:30] Okay, colleagues, it's a few minutes after one, and we do have quorum, and we've got quite a bit to get through still. So, I think we'll resume where we were, which was at item 1511 centralized grants reporting concept, and that was passed on consent. And then that brings us to item 15.1.2, proposed amendments to administrative order 29, respecting HRM Civic addressing policies, CA 148.

[3:16:58] and there is a motion and I wonder I see Councillor Hensby place.

[3:17:04] I thank you Mr. Mayor that the motion is that the Health Act dreams of Council adopt

[3:17:09] the proposed amendments of Administrative Board of 29, respecting civic addressing policies

[3:17:13] of settlement A of the staff report date August 6, 2026 to approve one, the naming of 19 private

[3:17:21] roads to the naming of one public street and three, the renaming of three private roads.

[3:17:26] Second.

[3:17:27] Second.

[3:17:31] Councillor Gag Concert.

[3:17:32] Do

[3:17:39] the move, sir.

[3:17:41] Call the question.

[3:17:42] Call the question.

[3:17:43] The question is called.

[3:17:43] We'll go to the electronic vote.

[3:18:31] Oh.

[3:18:32] That's what it is.

[3:18:35] How are we doing on the vote there, Madame Clerk?

[3:19:09] Just Mr. Mayor, we would like to know Councillor Austin's vote is also a yes, and that does not

[3:19:14] change the outcome of the vote.

[3:19:16] Okay.

[3:19:16] Thank you very much.

[3:19:17] The motion carries.

[3:19:19] Then we get to item 15.1.3, which was also respecting private roads, but that was successfully

[3:19:27] deferred, bringing us to 1521, the dual-band radio budget transfer, which passed on consent.

[3:19:37] And this brings us to 1531, the Head Start, Tennis Dome at Goresbuck Park, which was deferred

[3:19:42] that Councillor Austin's request, and that brings us to 15.3.2, the affordable housing

[3:19:49] strategy, which I have asked to have removed from the consent calendar. So the deputy

[3:19:54] mayor and I are going to quickly change positions here, and then I will buzz in, and we'll

[3:20:01] be on our way.

[3:21:23] Yeah, it looks like I am, I'm not even quick, it looks like I am ticking

[3:22:01] Okay, so we are moving to item 15.3.2 and that is the affordable housing strategy, and I'm going to hand this over to the mayor.

[3:22:15] Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor and Madam Clerk, I think there we go, thank you.

[3:22:19] So I'll start with putting the motion on the floor.

[3:22:22] I move that Halifax Regional Council 1 endorsed the Affordable Housing Strategy as provided

[3:22:27] in attachment A of the staff report dated August 5th, 2026, to direct the Chief Administrative

[3:22:34] Officer to include funding options for actions contained in the Affordable Housing Strategy

[3:22:38] in future years, commencing in the 2027-2028 budget and business plan for Council's consideration

[3:22:45] And three, direct the CIO to provide the committee with an update on the implementation

[3:22:50] of the strategy every two years.

[3:22:52] So colleagues, I just want to begin by-

[3:22:55] Can we get a second for that?

[3:22:56] Oh, yeah, let's do that.

[3:22:57] That's a good-

[3:22:57] Councilor Steele?

[3:23:00] Okay.

[3:23:01] Thank you.

[3:23:01] Go ahead.

[3:23:02] I'll start just by being so clear about my support for the Affordable Housing Strategy and

[3:23:08] the role that we all have collectively, the Council and our staff, and enabling more affordable

[3:23:13] housing.

[3:23:13] The reason for my intervention today has got nothing to do with that.

[3:23:17] It's all about a concern, about approving two permanent staff positions outside of the

[3:23:24] budgeting process.

[3:23:26] So that's my concern before council has the full financial picture.

[3:23:31] I noted that several members of CPED raised the same concern last week and I note that the

[3:23:35] recommendation before us today from CPED was not unanimously approved by CPED for this

[3:23:40] very reason.

[3:23:40] Staff indicated that not approving these hires would primarily affect the efficiency of the surplus lands for housing program.

[3:23:48] A program that has great merit, but we should be able to consider this investment alongside our other housing tools and priorities, including those that provide for more immediate housing support.

[3:23:59] We're not immune to the fiscal pressures facing the other orders of government and like them, we must focus our resources and find ways to do more with less.

[3:24:06] The two positions may seem modest within a billion dollar budget, but permanent positions create permanent obligations, housing accelerator fund money may cover some initial costs, but that funding is temporary.

[3:24:19] When it ends, municipal taxpayers inherit the full expense, and in about five years, the cost of those two positions will be approaching $300,000 per year and will continue to escalate to year over year.

[3:24:31] If Council moves forward with these positions today, they'll be incorporated into the planning

[3:24:36] and development budget as Council approved positions.

[3:24:39] In a constrained fiscal environment, Council should consider new permanent positions alongside

[3:24:43] the proposed tax rate, other staffing requests, service enhancements, and all of our other competing

[3:24:48] priorities.

[3:24:50] I'm not proposing that we reject these positions.

[3:24:52] I'm proposing that we consider them through the budget adjustment list process with the

[3:24:56] full financial picture before us.

[3:24:57] that is precisely what the ballot process is for.

[3:25:01] For that reason, I would like Madam Deputy Mayor to move

[3:25:07] that recommendation to be amended to read.

[3:25:13] Direct the chief administrative officer to include funding

[3:25:16] options for actions contained in the affordable housing

[3:25:19] strategy in future years as a budget adjustment list request

[3:25:23] within the 2027, 28 budget process for Council's consideration.

[3:25:29] And thank you, thank you very much for that.

[3:25:32] And I think Madam Clerk, you have the wording, it could go on a screen.

[3:25:36] Okay, thank you.

[3:25:37] So this amendment preserves the staffing request and

[3:25:40] Council's ability to approve it.

[3:25:42] It simply ensures that we make that decision transparently alongside and in the context of our other priorities with a clear understanding of the trade-offs.

[3:25:50] I believe this is the fiscally responsible approach and should be our standard practice

[3:25:54] when considering permanent increases to municipal staffing.

[3:25:59] Thank you.

[3:26:00] And I think I heard that second from Councillor Perty.

[3:26:03] Okay.

[3:26:03] Very good.

[3:26:04] So, I see the board lining up and this is on the amendment, Councillor Austin.

[3:26:11] Thank you, Ms. Deputy.

[3:26:16] So I'm not going to support this amendment because I think of the direction that—

[3:26:23] Mr. Blackwood has given us in the past and some of the concerns that were raised at Executive Committee regarding the length and detail of our budget process.

[3:26:33] If you can hear Jerry now, like if something is important, you know you're going that you're in favor of doing it.

[3:26:40] You should just do it and build it into the and have it built into the budget.

[3:26:44] Where we are regarding housing and homelessness, I mean this has been one of the absolutely

[3:26:50] major issues that we have faced as well as previous Councillors.

[3:26:55] The staffing request to actually do this work properly is not a big ask.

[3:27:00] It's a small increase.

[3:27:02] And so I'm comfortable having staff go off and prepare the budget with this built in.

[3:27:07] I think this is an important enough priority that it is worthwhile doing that.

[3:27:11] we've done this in the past with other items. We can refer it to the bowel and still consider it, but I think I think there's enough here that I'm comfortable just having this built in. I think that the housing file is important enough to warrant it. Thank you.

[3:27:27] Thank you, Councillor Austin, Councillor Perty.

[3:27:32] Thank you, Deputy Mayor, and thank you, Mr. Mayor, for this amendment.

[3:27:36] I asked at CPED for this to be broken out so we could vote on the point separately because

[3:27:43] I also felt uncomfortable basically pre-approving positions before the budget process was happening,

[3:27:51] and I just don't want to do that.

[3:27:53] so I didn't want to vote in favor of the positions at this point, so I'm happy to support

[3:28:00] this. I think this is reasonable and it addresses the very serious budgetary issues and constraints

[3:28:06] that we are all feeling so happy to support. Thanks,

[3:28:14] Councillor Steele.

[3:28:16] Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I have a question for Jerry. Jerry, just explain the difference between

[3:28:23] the the emotion that's proposed by staff and the motion that's brought forward by the mayor.

[3:28:33] I just want to make sure I understand. One is we're baking it in. The other is an add-on. It's the

[3:28:39] valve, right? Is that like how does this treat it by staff, I guess, if we were to adopt the mayor's

[3:28:47] motion.

[3:28:51] Thank you, Chair Blackwood-CFO. So I think what's important here for context? And certainly,

[3:28:59] you know, this is, this is advice. So we were given very early in the process some ratification

[3:29:06] day, a motion that Council approved, right? For staff to go away, build up the 2728 budget based on

[3:29:15] And like no increases, only contractual inflationary and approved by Council.

[3:29:23] We did debrief sessions with Council.

[3:29:26] One of the things we heard was let's try to streamline the process.

[3:29:33] A lot of the feedback that we got was around the bowel process and how that prolonged the

[3:29:39] budget process.

[3:29:41] What staff has done and implemented and what we talked about yesterday and executive is we've put a deadline to staff.

[3:29:50] Any things being brought forward that have budget implications, you need to get them in front of.

[3:30:00] That is so Council can have a Folsom staff report, Council can have a Folsom debate, and that's

[3:30:07] what's here today. So I think it's 0.02% of our overall budget. It doesn't move the

[3:30:18] dial on the rate. So if it is important to Council, I mean Council can approve this today.

[3:30:26] It's direction to staff that we can put this into the budget, you know, it was brought up at, you know, executive yesterday about staff time.

[3:30:35] So when this comes back for the bow, this group that's sitting behind me are going to have to come back and be here for however long that day for this to happen.

[3:30:47] So that's just a little bit of context in terms of the motion is fully in order and council has full

[3:30:55] purview to do what they want when it comes when it comes to the budget.

[3:31:00] But this will add more time. It's a bowel item that will have another debate on the funding

[3:31:09] for these housing or housing strategy positions.

[3:31:13] Okay. Thank you, Jerry. The reason I asked this question is, at CPED last week, I voted against

[3:31:23] clause two of the motion. I know that housing affordability is very important. I know that

[3:31:33] other orders of government have been investing more and more in housing affordability,

[3:31:38] and I'm not comfortable investing incremental resources in this going forward.

[3:31:46] I think we saw the number over a 10-year period what this means.

[3:31:52] The municipality is involved in a myriad of ways supporting housing affordability.

[3:32:00] And one of the things that troubles me, not only about this particular ask,

[3:32:04] about everything. And maybe we are short of resources everywhere. But one of the things that

[3:32:11] I always thought it might be possible is, do we not have any resources within HRM that could pivot?

[3:32:19] Is everything we take on? Do we need to have incremental resources to do it? So that's kind of my bottom

[3:32:27] line here. The strategy is well written. It's excellent. It doesn't address overall affordability,

[3:32:33] which troubles me, but I understand that we chose that path and gave that guidance to

[3:32:40] our staff to look at affordability for a very small portion of our residents, albeit those

[3:32:47] in greatest need perhaps, but I'm not comfortable with incremental resources at this time for this.

[3:32:56] Yes.

[3:32:56] Thank you.

[3:33:00] All right.

[3:33:00] Councillor Kent.

[3:33:02] Thank you, Madam Deputy.

[3:33:04] I can't support the potential amendment as well for the fact that I absolutely and I appreciate

[3:33:14] Councillor Austin bringing out that the amount of energy and effort that we have and commitment

[3:33:20] to housing within our municipal mandate, even though we know that there has not been

[3:33:28] and a lot of support for it until more recent years,

[3:33:31] but through other levels of government,

[3:33:33] I don't think we can take the foot off the pedal right now.

[3:33:37] I, we still are in a significant crisis.

[3:33:42] And I think it's a responsibility of every level

[3:33:44] of government to participate in some way.

[3:33:46] This report, I was pleased with it.

[3:33:49] I think that staff did a great job with it.

[3:33:52] We got to remember that we as a council

[3:33:54] last for this strategy to be developed. Now, we have it. We have it here. But also the

[3:34:03] point of putting it on to a budget, an adjustment list, to me, that just doesn't make sense. We're

[3:34:08] not debating. We're not debating the full budget in this period right now. The ballot list

[3:34:15] is there for gaps or reconsiderations when we're going through the large budget. That's what

[3:34:21] is there for. It's like a parking place for something to be looked at differently and

[3:34:27] it could be within the context of the large budget that staff bring forward. I would

[3:34:31] want to see that in this in the budget. So we have all that information. Our staff here

[3:34:37] can go back and do it and present it within the larger budget. And then if it needs to go

[3:34:44] to the ballot, let's do it then. This is not the time. I'm supportive of it. I think that

[3:34:49] But we should go forward and then see the full extent when Jerry and his staff come back

[3:34:57] in early December.

[3:35:00] Thank you.

[3:35:03] Thank you, Councillor Kent.

[3:35:06] Councillor Hensby.

[3:35:08] Thank you much, Deputy Mayor.

[3:35:10] I'm supportive of the amendment because I believe that we're getting ourselves a little

[3:35:14] entrenched into housing.

[3:35:15] Like I said before, this is the provincial housing responsibility, not municipal.

[3:35:20] But we have some opportunities to assist and participate with our various programs we have for tax relief and possible surplus properties and stuff.

[3:35:28] But for unless we're going to get external funding guaranteed for these positions, I'm a little skeptical of us entrenching these positions and ingrained into our workforce.

[3:35:40] Unless we got assurances from the federal provincial government that this fund is going to be absolute for the period of a decade, whatever we anticipate in this budget,

[3:35:48] I might be a little more comfortable with it, but it stands now to the pre-improvement now before the budget process.

[3:35:55] I feel a little uncomfortable about it, and I'll rather wait until the debate starts to ensure that we do have funding from our provincial and federal counterparts who are supposed to be responsible for housing.

[3:36:06] Thank you.

[3:36:11] Thank you, Councillor Morris,

[3:36:15] thank you, Deputy Mayor.

[3:36:16] And, you know, housing is a responsibility of all three levels of government, and HRM's

[3:36:23] responsibility is mainly on the planning and infrastructure side.

[3:36:27] But that's a complex side, and, you know, you need staff with the continuity and the expertise

[3:36:33] to manage that side of things so that we can participate in partnerships with the federal

[3:36:39] and provincial governments.

[3:36:40] You can't just pop people in and out of those roles and expect they're going to be able

[3:36:45] to take full advantage of whatever funding is available from those levels of government.

[3:36:51] What I understand our staff do to a great extent is help the nonprofit organizations who

[3:36:58] are building housing find ways to move through the planning process.

[3:37:04] That's another important role that they have played.

[3:37:08] I think that these positions are important to keep on as a minimum that we do for affordability.

[3:37:15] otherwise it's just left completely to the market and we know there are a lot of gaps when it's

[3:37:22] completely left to the market. We need to provide some support for the nonprofit organizations

[3:37:27] that are providing the housing on the ground that is deeply affordable. So I would rather see this

[3:37:33] baked into the budget rather than discussed on the bell. Thank you.

[3:37:39] Thank you, Councillor Clary.

[3:37:42] Thank you, deputy. So everyone's right.

[3:37:47] We need these two planners. I don't know if we need to,

[3:37:50] but certainly we need one, maybe two planners. But we also can't keep adding folks

[3:37:58] to the compliment and keep paying for more and more and more whether it's police, it's fire,

[3:38:02] it's planners.

[3:38:05] I think it all support the mayor's motion here because I think

[3:38:10] this needs to be kicked up to the CAO's level. And we need to look at organization what?

[3:38:16] How many folks do we have? We need to review, is everyone doing everything we need?

[3:38:25] And if we've got capacity, whether it's because we can't find somebody we're not hiring or

[3:38:30] priorities have changed, we could slip two positions over into planning or reassign people from

[3:38:36] planning to these rules, but we really do have to stop hiring people just because, hey,

[3:38:43] we need more people. We need to figure out through business analysis, through technology,

[3:38:50] are there ways that we could be doing things better with the same or fewer resources?

[3:38:56] And so I support 100% the affordable housing strategy, although more or less what it says

[3:39:03] is status quo. We're going to keep doing the things we're doing. It's not like we're adding

[3:39:06] anything new. And so I think we need a good hard look at what the actual need is and if

[3:39:14] we have this capacity somewhere else we could reassign temporarily or permanently. But

[3:39:20] I can't have bacon in the budget at this point in time without knowing have we done a deep

[3:39:26] dive to say can we move some folks? Do we have some FTEs somewhere that we could reassign?

[3:39:32] I'll support the mayor on this one.

[3:39:34] Thank you.

[3:39:38] Everyone's spoken once on the list there.

[3:39:42] Oh, no, Councillor Dagle-Gammon's not in there.

[3:39:44] Go ahead, Councillor Dagle-Gammon.

[3:39:47] Thank you very much.

[3:39:49] Deputy Mayor, Madam, in term chair here.

[3:39:53] You know, it's interesting.

[3:39:54] And, you know, Councillor Cleary, when you said everybody's right, I agree.

[3:40:00] We gave direction to staff, the direction to staff was if when you're looking at building

[3:40:08] a budget that there's going to be an ask that you get it done beforehand.

[3:40:12] So in some ways, I think no matter which way we go, we're going to be discussing this

[3:40:16] again at budget, right?

[3:40:18] It's quite possible that on either way that we look at it, somebody might pull it away

[3:40:24] from the business unit presentation and ask for it to be put on the bow and then it becomes

[3:40:30] a discussion there. The only thing that really concerns me at this point, I think, Mr. Mayor,

[3:40:39] has corrected an statement that it wasn't unanimous. And sometimes when I look at our motions

[3:40:43] and our minutes, it says motion put and passed, but we don't say if it's unanimous, we don't say how

[3:40:49] many for or against. And this was a good conversation at CPED, that's for sure. And when it was

[3:40:56] put in the past, it is that it comes to regional counsel. So that regional counsel gets to make

[3:41:02] you know, the decision. But we have to be very careful if we're giving direction to staff. And

[3:41:07] then all of a sudden, we're turning around and saying, well, you took the direction, but now we want

[3:41:11] you to do something different. So I, yeah, we want to be consistent with that. We want our budget

[3:41:18] process. We've talked about it. We want our budget process to be a little bit more timely. We want

[3:41:23] it to be more seamless. So I'll vote for the original motion because I think that if it gets

[3:41:33] defeated, then it goes to the bell. Either way, we're going to meet it. But I support the work that the

[3:41:38] staff have done and in the way that the motion was presented. I think that the follow direction we

[3:41:43] gave them. Thank you.

[3:41:50] Thank you. Okay. I do not see any other first-time speakers on the list.

[3:41:56] I can either change spots, the mayor, or the past deputy mayor, or I can speak from the chair.

[3:42:04] Chair is fine. All right. Thank you. So, you know, I just want to maybe get some clarification on

[3:42:14] the requirements here because when I read the report, we know that the city has been promised

[3:42:23] through the Housing Accelerator Fund close to $80 million and in order to access that $80 million,

[3:42:30] our final requirement is to have an affordable housing strategy and it says in the report

[3:42:39] with staff to implement it.

[3:42:42] So I'm wondering if that is a condition

[3:42:46] of receiving our final installment of the half funding.

[3:42:52] And while I'm talking about half,

[3:42:55] I want to just put into context how important it is

[3:43:00] that we have affordable housing strategy

[3:43:03] and that we have staff who are dedicated to ensuring that is implemented.

[3:43:08] When I look at my community in Spryfield, I had over 26 projects through half approved through spot zoning.

[3:43:17] As a result, I've seen the loss of a lot of existing affordable housing,

[3:43:22] whether that was affordable single-family homes or affordable multi-units.

[3:43:29] And we don't have housing to replace that affordable housing.

[3:43:35] So the work that's being done through bonus density and looking at preserving existing

[3:43:42] housing through renovations, through supporting offer profits, that is critical to ensuring

[3:43:49] that we have a continuum of affordable housing for our residents.

[3:43:54] It is true that, you know, we, you know, people are being asked to do more with less, but

[3:44:04] there's a lot of people out there in housing situations where they can't do any more because

[3:44:10] they don't have affordable housing.

[3:44:12] It's one of the biggest crises in our country at the moment is housing affordability.

[3:44:19] And I agree that this is a responsibility of all three levels of government.

[3:44:24] We all have a role to play here.

[3:44:27] And the cost of two additional staff people is such a minimal investment for seeing our

[3:44:36] affordable housing strategy implemented.

[3:44:39] And we're doing this based on the fact that we've received $80 million in housing accelerator

[3:44:46] fund funding? That this to me seems like this shouldn't even be a discussion. We

[3:44:52] should this was a commitment that we're going to have an affordable housing

[3:44:55] strategy and that we're going to implement it.

[3:45:00] We made those commitments, and we need to see them through. And it is the people who need affordable housing, the most, who are helping here. And I think we need to keep our focus on that. So for those reasons, I'll be supporting the original motion, and I won't be supporting the amendment. Thank you. And if I could get an answer to the question about the requirement to have the strategy.

[3:45:28] and the ability to support implementing it.

[3:45:35] Certainly, thank you, Madam Deputy,

[3:45:37] through to Council, my name's Aaron Murnahan.

[3:45:40] I'm Manager of Culture Heritage and Planning Information

[3:45:42] Services, also overseeing the completion of half.

[3:45:47] So I would say it was anticipated

[3:45:49] when the application was first sent from HRM

[3:45:52] and endorsed by this council to CMHC

[3:45:56] that there would be permanent staff created

[3:45:58] to implement the affordable housing strategy. However, I can confirm that that language

[3:46:04] does not exist within the contribution agreement that we have at CMHC and that it's anticipated

[3:46:09] that if Council endorses the strategy in its past, that would be the final initiative

[3:46:15] that needs to be completed as part of our agreement. We would then get our final installment

[3:46:21] of 19.7 million dollars sometimes before Christmas is the hope so before the

[3:46:29] budget would be debated in the spring. So I would say no it's not a hard

[3:46:34] condition but there is an expectation from CMMC that there would be staff in

[3:46:37] place to actually implement the strategy from a practical sense.

[3:46:43] Thank you Aaron.

[3:46:44] Okay, for, oh, let's say, Virginia, Councillor Hinch.

[3:46:52] Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

[3:46:56] You know, in my district, especially in my district, there's a lot of the affordable

[3:47:02] housing that has been torn down, displaced, not, you know, nothing is being, you know,

[3:47:16] built to the to the to the level that it should be built for deeply affordable housing that is you know it is all three levels of government that should be taken this on it just doesn't have to be the province.

[3:47:29] We do have a role here to play and I like to continue on seeing the work that the affordable housing strategy has so whatever you guys need.

[3:47:41] And unfortunately, I cannot support the mayor's motion.

[3:47:47] I will support the original motion going forward because again, this is tangible work

[3:47:55] that can be done and hopefully we can see affordable housing.

[3:47:59] I mean, we're seeing some progress, but we need more progress.

[3:48:02] So that's what my hope would be.

[3:48:05] So yes, I will be supporting the main motion.

[3:48:08] Thank you.

[3:48:09] Right,

[3:48:15] Councillor Austin. Thank you, Ms. Deputy. I just follow

[3:48:20] a question there for Jerry. You know, if Council proceeds with the original

[3:48:24] motion instead of accepting the mayor's amendment here, it would get built into the budget.

[3:48:30] But then that budget committee does Council not have the ability to move anything like we

[3:48:36] want related to the budget?

[3:48:42] Thank you, yet. That's correct. If you vote it for the original

[3:48:48] no motion, that can always be adjusted at the time.

[3:48:53] So when we bake something in, we're sending a signal, but, you know, Council always retains

[3:48:59] the ability to change our mind if we're in the middle of budget deliberations, and we

[3:49:03] look at the amounts and everyone's kind of losing their minds, right?

[3:49:08] We could, it could be reversed,

[3:49:12] that's, that's correct.

[3:49:14] Okay, and what is the rate impact?

[3:49:16] I thought I heard 0.02, I think 0.02 on a billion dollar budget, but I think it's like less than a dollar on the average bill.

[3:49:33] So folks, even if we accept the original amendment, if we get into the budget process and we need to go find money, we could take a look at this.

[3:49:43] right? We've talked about the budget process being lengthy. If, you know, you look at this and

[3:49:48] it's like, this is a good idea, we should do the thing. Let's do the thing. Let's build it in now.

[3:49:55] The amount here is small. And, you know, at the end of the day, I know there's a lot of talk of,

[3:50:01] well, we need to do less, you know, more or less. And, you know, it's kind of a nice slogan,

[3:50:07] but at a certain point, it just breaks down. You do ultimately, you do less with less.

[3:50:12] And here is an area where we are being tasked and asked to do much more, all orders of government are.

[3:50:20] And it's a small example, but the one that kind of registers to me most of all, because I've seen the difference, different space, but park naturalization.

[3:50:31] We originally that program, it started, someone was trying to do that off the side of the desk, and we had a couple of very early pilot projects, but it really didn't go anywhere.

[3:50:40] Dedicating just one staff person to that has made such a world of difference.

[3:50:45] We have a whole program now.

[3:50:46] You know, this is not a big staffing ask, this is not a big dollar amount ask.

[3:50:51] We've committed to this in a strategy.

[3:50:53] And even if we build this in, we can always reverse it.

[3:50:56] If we really get into the budget process and are really scrounging for 0.02 percent, I think

[3:51:01] this is worth doing.

[3:51:02] I think we should just proceed and not blow to our bowel and budget process with something

[3:51:06] that we should just really be doing.

[3:51:09] Thank you.

[3:51:14] Mayor Philmore. Thank you. Just a very brief close.

[3:51:21] I would say that, of course, the council

[3:51:23] is in control of its own destiny and at the time of the budget could delete positions

[3:51:29] that it created today. I've never seen it happen. I've not seen one position ever deleted,

[3:51:35] only at it. So I would just be reminded of that. And there may be a logical fallacy at work

[3:51:42] year as well. You know, if I could draw an analogy, the argument that I've often heard

[3:51:48] from folks who don't want to take action on climate change is that, oh, well, HRM is

[3:51:54] small or Canada is small. It doesn't really matter what we do. So we shouldn't do anything.

[3:51:58] We don't have to bother. That's the same logic we're getting into when we say, it's only

[3:52:03] a .02 on the mill rate. It's only a $200,000. Every dollar matters. Every single dollar

[3:52:09] or matter, somebody's paying for it.

[3:52:11] So I just would remind us of that as well,

[3:52:14] and I'll leave it there, thank you.

[3:52:18] Okay, so with that, the question has been called,

[3:52:21] we have no more speakers on the list.

[3:52:23] The vote will be on the motion, as amended,

[3:52:29] the amendment, okay, so be on the amendment

[3:52:34] and commence voting.

[3:53:02] It's a tie vote, so that fails.

[3:53:05] So the amendment does not pass.

[3:53:07] We

[3:53:11] are now back to the main motion,

[3:53:25] waiting for my screen to clear there.

[3:53:28] On the main motion, Councillor Steele,

[3:53:36] thank you Deputy Mayor, I just like to reiterate

[3:53:41] how important affordable housing is, however, unlike many other municipalities across the

[3:53:48] country, that are more active and affordable housing than we are. We don't receive the

[3:53:54] same level of support from our provincial government to support this type of work.

[3:54:00] Municipal taxes were never intended for broad social programs and we have moved into this space

[3:54:07] and we're now beginning to move even further into this space. I'd like to see this $200,000

[3:54:15] or whatever it is, spend on things like infrastructure renewal, transit, public safety,

[3:54:21] some of the things that I'm hearing from my residents every day.

[3:54:25] I'll just give you a concrete example, and it's actually a boat concrete as well.

[3:54:30] I live in Clayton Park West, the street near to me, actually it's a street I walk my dogs on,

[3:54:35] so I get to discuss this every evening almost.

[3:54:39] We did some maintenance work to replace a failed curb.

[3:54:45] And we left a small, we did about 98% of the street.

[3:54:50] We left a few properties where the curb wasn't fixed.

[3:54:55] So, and the reason why we couldn't do that was for $28,000.

[3:55:00] So the whole street was done except for one,

[3:55:02] except for the curb in front of one property.

[3:55:06] And so, you know, I face that every day,

[3:55:10] there's many countless places like that in my district.

[3:55:14] and that's why I and and I want them to fix the curbs and all your districts and make the sidewalks safe. I'd like to see bears late made accessible.

[3:55:24] We need money to do that. I I walked with one of my residents last Friday who was in a wheelchair and I walked around and tried to see how things look from her point of view and they are extremely unsafe.

[3:55:38] I felt unsafe and I wasn't I'm not in a wheelchair.

[3:55:42] So that's why I hate to see us migrating into these areas that I believe other levels of

[3:55:49] government could and should be funding.

[3:55:52] I think it's a fantastic strategy, but I want I wish to vote separately an item number

[3:55:57] two.

[3:55:58] Thank you.

[3:56:04] Thank you, Councillor Steele.

[3:56:06] Councillor Perty.

[3:56:07] Thank you, Deputy Mayor.

[3:56:09] And I couldn't agree more with Councillor Steele's assessment of things financially, absolutely.

[3:56:16] and when I spoke to this at CPAD, I'm not going to go into everything that I said there,

[3:56:23] but one thing that I did say that I do want to reiterate today is I feel like we had

[3:56:35] unfulfilled promises from the Housing Accelerator Fund that this money from the federal government

[3:56:41] did not actually improve affordability for anyone. And in fact, we've seen prices just continue

[3:56:47] you to climb costs of living, continue to climb, has not produced affordability.

[3:56:53] So just kind of dashed expectations and has done other zoning changes in our municipality

[3:57:03] that have not been in the best interests of our residents either.

[3:57:09] So I'm not sure I'm sure some good has come from it and we've heard it and we see the affordable

[3:57:15] while housing strategy, but I agree we are spreading ourselves too thin over things that

[3:57:25] are not core municipal issues. When we have so many, so many core municipal issues that

[3:57:33] do need to be addressed in all of our districts. And I'm going to ask also if we can do what

[3:57:39] we did at CPED and vote on these points separately if we could vote on one and three together

[3:57:44] and then vote on number two separately because I do not support moving forward staff

[3:57:50] at this point in our budget process.

[3:57:56] All right so it's been requested when we vote that the

[3:58:00] vote is split one and three and two separately. Councillor Austin.

[3:58:07] Thank you, Ms. Deputy, and I want to ask staff about the piece about support for non-profits

[3:58:20] through the tax program because we did have some council motions on that and, you know,

[3:58:25] as far as I understand it from reading the strategy, this work looking at that question of

[3:58:32] HREM's program, that would still be looked at in the future through a report to be prepared

[3:58:39] by finance.

[3:58:40] So, am I reading that correct?

[3:59:03] Planner.

[3:59:04] Sorry, Dave Patterson, Principal Planner for Regional Committee Planning.

[3:59:07] Thank you through the Deputy Mayor to the Councillor.

[3:59:11] The action on tax relief, it's a bit of a two-parter.

[3:59:15] One is to continue with the current program as it's currently provided by finance for

[3:59:22] all nonprofits, but also to review that program moving forward in the in the short term for

[3:59:29] the overall sustainability objectives of that program. Looking at the range of affordable

[3:59:34] housing projects and sites that are supported really just maybe distinctly from the other

[3:59:42] nonprofits that are also supported in that program. So that work is ongoing in the next few

[3:59:47] years is led by finance. So led by finance, does planning come into it? Because I mean, I think

[4:00:00] On this question, in the, when I made that motion back, geez, I can't remember, 2024, on the initial report that came back really only had the dollar value kind of piece on it. It didn't have the planning lens on it. And I think for us to make any decisions, we actually need both. We need to be looking at the financial viability of the program from the grant perspective, but we also need to have the lens around what does this program mean from a planning perspective in terms of encouraging more housing.

[4:00:29] And so, you know, I'm fine with this action if it's a both sort of piece because I think both perspectives need to be there for Council to be really making a good decision on it.

[4:00:45] Yeah, thank you. So, that is something, you know, we brought that up last budget session about the, you know, the increase in our grants program from our redesign.

[4:00:59] And one of the things that, you know, we did with the redesign was put more weight on the housing component to provide more grants in that area, right, which is schedule D, I believe what we're seeing in that space affordable housing is nonprofits have become very active in that space.

[4:01:26] the YWCA, which is, will there 100% exempt from taxation through legislation, but as nonprofits

[4:01:36] come in like, for example, if Killam is getting rid of old stock, nonprofits are buying up that

[4:01:43] stock, and then they're getting eligibility for the grants program. So from a sustainability point

[4:01:53] of you were really seeing profits become very active in the affordable housing space,

[4:01:59] which is creating, you know, an additional pressure on our grants program.

[4:02:06] So overall, I mean, I think one of the things we really need to look at is really where does

[4:02:14] council want to put that overall grants envelope in the future. Is it more around

[4:02:22] supporting affordable housing? You know, I know we moved away a little bit from supporting more

[4:02:28] athletic associations and things like that, but that is a review that you know certainly will

[4:02:34] will need to undertake. I think it's were two years and since the last grants review.

[4:02:42] Thank you, Jerry. I just have about 20 seconds left here, so I just pose the question.

[4:02:47] In that review, is there going to be an outcome-oriented thing? Because consistently what

[4:02:52] I hear from the nonprofits out there is, it's not glamorous the way you get to cut a ribbon

[4:02:57] on a new project, but that ongoing funding, because it's predictable and ongoing, is actually

[4:03:03] among the most important supports that we actually provide. I'm just wondering if in that program

[4:03:09] in those considerations, whether or not that sort of perspective is going to be captured as well.

[4:03:18] I hear what you're saying about the financial piece.

[4:03:20] That's important, but I really, that planning part, I think, needs to be part of that work too,

[4:03:26] to assess what the outcome could be of additional support or not.

[4:03:34] I agree, the finance and planning need to work together on that whole grand piece.

[4:03:47] Okay, thank you, Mr. Deputy, thank you, Jerry.

[4:03:51] Thank you, Councillor Steele, sorry,

[4:03:56] Mr. Mayor, do you want to close or do you want to speak

[4:03:59] now?

[4:04:00] You want to close?

[4:04:00] Okay.

[4:04:00] Councillor Steele. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. A couple of questions I think for Dave. The Affordable

[4:04:08] Housing Grant Program, a certain portion of it, of course, has been funded through density

[4:04:14] bonuses, another portion funded through half. We're coming to an end of the half funding,

[4:04:21] so what's the plan there? Do we have a plan?

[4:04:27] Thank you, through the deputy mayor.

[4:04:31] Really, the plan is going back to where we were prior to half.

[4:04:34] So prior to half, the affordable housing grant program was really built around the density

[4:04:40] bonus program, density browsing was originally in the regional center.

[4:04:45] It's now expanded to the suburban area.

[4:04:49] And we're starting to see projects and funding come in through the suburban areas as well.

[4:04:53] So half has provided a chance to sort of fridge some of that funding and extend that funding in the last three years.

[4:05:01] But the plan for the grant program is to really go back to where we were as a public benefit coming out of the density bonusing program.

[4:05:11] Okay. And I don't have the corporate memory here.

[4:05:16] In terms of the density-bonusing, have we ever provided any funding to anything other than affordable housing such as, you know, recreation, I don't mean clubs, but I mean, you know, parks, you know, trails, community centers, that kind of thing that, you know, increased population bills, have we, has that ever been done through our grants program or through the density-bonusing funding?

[4:05:49] I'm sorry, referring back to Kate Green back there, but the vast majority has been through affordable housing. Also, other work goes into public, public urge as well as heritage.

[4:06:01] Okay.

[4:06:02] But the requirement right now is that at least 60% of the contributions go for affordable housing.

[4:06:08] By the practice, we've seen a higher amount than that.

[4:06:10] That's a policy decision that was taken by this council or a previous council.

[4:06:15] That's correct.

[4:06:15] Okay. Thank you.

[4:06:20] Thank you. Councillor Austin.

[4:06:24] Thank you, Mr. Chair. And so the other piece I wanted to ask about is regarding public

[4:06:30] housing. I mean, I note the report talks about, you know, the option of each room creating

[4:06:38] a housing corporation. We really aren't contemplating any discussions with the province under

[4:06:49] this about taking on public housing because of course that was uploaded to the province in 96.

[4:06:56] I'm assuming we're not there's there was no real dive into looking at that question.

[4:07:11] Yeah. Well, I mean, I'm not going to I'm not going to be to dead horse here on this one.

[4:07:17] I mean, I would just say in a perfect world like when I look at this, if you were setting up

[4:07:21] responsibilities for government. The order of government that does planning probably

[4:07:26] should be the order of government that's doing public housing because then when applications

[4:07:29] come in and you have your own housing authority that's sitting right there at the discussions,

[4:07:34] you could actually get projects done in a much more effective way and we might not have gone

[4:07:39] through basically 30 years of public housing being basically abandoned because we were in this

[4:07:45] new liberal sort of age where the idea that government could do things was kind of

[4:07:51] pass A, but down at our level, that never really went away because we build and operate stuff

[4:07:56] all the time. It's what we do. So, you know, just philosophically. I mean, I think public

[4:08:01] housing belongs at the municipal level, but that's a perfect world type solution, and we

[4:08:06] don't live in a perfect world. We live in Nova Scotia, and that's not about to change, so I think

[4:08:10] I will leave it at that. Thank you.

[4:08:15] Thank you, Councillor Austin. Mr. Mayor, before you close,

[4:08:18] I have a few comments.

[4:08:20] Thank you.

[4:08:21] So I am a little bit confused about this conversation because having an affordable housing

[4:08:28] strategy, seeing a municipal role in this was part of the half agreement.

[4:08:33] We talk about support from other orders of government and we have received $80 million from the federal

[4:08:38] government.

[4:08:40] 11 million is tied to this last piece.

[4:08:42] So when we say we're not being supported by other orders of government, this was a targeted

[4:08:48] initiative specifically to address affordable housing and to Councillor Perty's points

[4:08:54] that half hasn't delivered on affordable housing is promised. This is the promise and

[4:08:59] implementing this strategy is part of that promise so we can start to see an increase

[4:09:04] in affordable housing. So this is it. This is the piece that you're looking

[4:09:08] for. I would have some questions about how we manage the half money and when we get that

[4:09:16] that final installment, how it's used, and how it would continue to support housing initiatives.

[4:09:22] I don't know if we ever got to the point where we've created investment funds to help fund the continuation of programs,

[4:09:30] or if we just put that into our coffers and spend it on other things.

[4:09:36] But I think if we have a strategy, we also need to have a financial strategy on how to do this in a sustainable, financially responsible way.

[4:09:44] I feel we have done that so far by using density

[4:09:48] bonuses in supporting affordable housing initiatives,

[4:09:52] where people get extra development rights in exchange

[4:09:55] for money that goes into support affordable housing.

[4:09:59] But the ongoing implementation of the strategy

[4:10:03] and given that we've had this money from half,

[4:10:06] I'm wondering as any thought gone into how we can sustainably

[4:10:11] continue to fund these initiatives. I also want to talk about how we add positions

[4:10:18] but we never take them away. That's not necessarily true. We've looked at vacancy positions

[4:10:26] that we haven't filled and that's essentially not filling positions. It becomes a net benefit

[4:10:35] because we're not adding positions. We're using vacancies. We also have attrition and we've

[4:10:41] talked a great length about that, where, you know, through natural retirement or people

[4:10:46] may be resigning or moving on to other other jobs, you know, using those positions to kind

[4:10:52] of keep our workforce in check. So it's not just about removing positions. It's about looking

[4:10:57] at the whole picture and managing it from that perspective. When we are adding these positions

[4:11:05] in at this point into the budget, but until we get to the budget, we don't know what the

[4:11:11] full departmental ask is going to be when it comes forward, and there's opportunities

[4:11:15] to manage it at that level too. And again, these are like many of us have said. These are

[4:11:20] discussions we can have when it comes to budget time. I think this is a critical piece of work,

[4:11:27] and I'm very, very happy to finally see it come forward, and I know a lot of effort has gone into

[4:11:32] it. I know there's a lot of support in the community for it, and there's a lot of need amongst our

[4:11:37] residents for affordable housing.

[4:11:40] So I will be supporting the motion as presented by staff.

[4:11:45] With that, I'll pass it back to the mayor to close.

[4:11:49] Thank you.

[4:11:50] Okay, thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

[4:11:53] And I have to say, make a few points here, but just to be really clear in

[4:11:57] the way I close, as I was in the way that I started that my intervention has

[4:12:03] nothing to do with lack of support for affordable housing and

[4:12:07] we have in front of us. My concern is around staffing levels and the affordability of residents

[4:12:13] in nature. It's my position that we need to get away from the idea here that every new

[4:12:20] priority necessarily requires new permanent staff sometimes it will, but before adding positions

[4:12:25] we should also be asking whether the work can be done differently, whether there are resources

[4:12:29] other in other places in the organization that can be redeployed, whether processes can be

[4:12:34] simplified, whether we're getting the best value

[4:12:37] from the organization we already have.

[4:12:39] And that is exactly why we've asked the organization

[4:12:43] to undertake the core service review.

[4:12:46] At the same time, our staff and complement continues

[4:12:48] to grow.

[4:12:49] You will have read that this year, 300 more

[4:12:52] additions to the Sunshine List were now over 1600 people

[4:12:55] making over $100,000 a year at HRM.

[4:12:57] People are noticing this.

[4:12:59] They're talking about it.

[4:13:00] They're holding us accountable for that.

[4:13:02] and so we want to be aware of that, it should cause us to look very seriously at the size and the structure and the cost of the organization, particularly when residents are telling us they cannot simply cannot continue to absorb escalating costs.

[4:13:17] This isn't about diminishing the work around employees or suggesting that individual positions are not valuable at its core, it's about discipline.

[4:13:25] Adding staff can not always be our first response to a problem or to a new priority.

[4:13:30] As others have said today, we need to focus on what municipal government needs to do and

[4:13:35] what we can do better and where our existing resources should be refocused and re-concentrated.

[4:13:41] And that's why I believe permanent staffing increases should, as a matter of course, be

[4:13:45] considered through the budget process to see the whole picture at one time.

[4:13:50] And why the course service review needs to meaningfully inform those decisions going forward.

[4:13:54] We can always support ambitious priorities we can that can include affordable housing but at the same time

[4:14:00] We can still ask about how we can deliver them as efficiently and as responsibly as possible. Those two priorities

[4:14:07] Can not only can but should go hand in hand. So I'm going to ask that you defeat item two and emotion and

[4:14:14] Prove the very important affordable housing strategy. Thank you.

[4:14:21] Okay. Thank you

[4:14:23] question

[4:14:25] Okay, questions being called and we'll vote first on 1 and 3 and there we go,

[4:14:55] that passes.

[4:15:19] And that passes.

[4:15:22] Thank you. Next.

[4:17:26] We are now ready

[4:17:33] to go in camera.

[4:17:48] 15.1 now.

[4:17:54] Okay.

[4:17:57] Okay. We are at 15.5.1, deputy mayor Cuddle, HRM parks, washrooms and drinking fountain strategy. And the floor is yours, deputy mayor. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Okay. So we've had a few discussions.

[4:18:11] questions of this meeting about strategies that we have that aren't funded and are implemented

[4:18:18] and also questions about priorities. One of the strategies we approved was the HR and

[4:18:28] parks washrooms and drinking fountain strategies. I have one of those parks that was promised

[4:18:34] of bathroom, a washroom that hasn't been delivered yet and it's I'm coming up to six

[4:18:41] years coming onto my seventh year on council. So sometimes we can do things and build things

[4:18:47] and deliver things and sometimes we can't. In this case I'm really looking for an update

[4:18:55] on the implementation of our washroom and drinking fountain strategy which was approved

[4:19:02] in 2020 and to get a sense of what projects are being prioritized and what the next steps are

[4:19:09] so we can continue to see this move forward. There is a larger discussion that happened over

[4:19:14] the summer around access to washrooms and drinking fountains. Some of it is a human right.

[4:19:21] Some of it is about wayfinding. Some of it about being able to enjoy our recreational spaces

[4:19:31] through having access to a washroom.

[4:19:36] I've been to many other cities where I've seen washrooms.

[4:19:39] They don't all need to cost millions of dollars.

[4:19:42] There's out-of-the-box solutions that we could be considering.

[4:19:47] I don't really know where we are on this strategy.

[4:19:51] And I thought this was an opportune time for us to take a look

[4:19:55] and get a sense of what the next priorities are

[4:19:58] and where we are in implementing our strategy and what's needed.

[4:20:03] So, this is looking for an information report and I hope you support the motion.

[4:20:09] Thank you.

[4:20:13] Table of motion.

[4:20:15] Yeah.

[4:20:16] Thank you.

[4:20:18] Thank you, Councillor Steel.

[4:20:20] I'm getting ahead of myself here.

[4:20:22] So, with that, I move that Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer

[4:20:29] to prepare an information report, providing a progress update on the implementation of

[4:20:35] the H&R on Washrooms and Drinking Fountain Strategy approved by Regional Council in September

[4:20:40] 2020, an update on Washroom and Drinking Fountain projects completed underway or approved since

[4:20:46] the adoption of the strategy. Three, an update on the status of the projects identified in the

[4:20:52] strategies, implementation plan, and subsequent staff.

[4:20:56] The dendoms and four recommendations,

[4:20:58] respecting the next priority washroom

[4:21:00] and drinking fountain projects for consideration

[4:21:02] through future business planning and capital budget processes,

[4:21:07] including any revised prioritization criteria,

[4:21:10] funding opportunities, or implementation considerations.

[4:21:17] I think that was Councillor Steele there.

[4:21:19] Would you like to, have you already said you're introductory piece, Deputy Mayor?

[4:21:25] Okay.

[4:21:25] Then we'll go to the board and I see Councillor Austin, please.

[4:21:29] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[4:21:30] And I support the deputy's request for review on this.

[4:21:33] It's probably actually, it's about time.

[4:21:36] The original strategy was 2020.

[4:21:39] It was on something that I'd originally asked for in my first term on council and it kind

[4:21:43] of came at the very end of it.

[4:21:45] And now we're basically five years on, five years is probably a good time to sit down

[4:21:51] and kind of do a report as to, well, what's worked, what hasn't, how are we doing?

[4:21:56] So I think the time for this is good.

[4:22:00] The only thing I'll just add, the main disappointment when the strategy first came forward to us was

[4:22:07] how bloody expensive washrooms are and how little your dollars actually get you.

[4:22:13] And, you know, there's certainly, I think there's things you can do to reduce that, but

[4:22:17] it's financial is still going to be the main limitation on this no matter how we look

[4:22:21] at it.

[4:22:22] And so it really, it's not so much, I think, a strategy question as a budgetary question

[4:22:28] we can have the washrooms we want to pay for.

[4:22:30] So I think getting that sort of question and seeing what our wish list now looks like,

[4:22:35] what has been accomplished and what we've learned is a good idea at this stage.

[4:22:40] So I think this is a good time for a review.

[4:22:42] Thank you.

[4:22:43] Thank you, Councillor Hinch, please.

[4:22:46] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[4:22:48] I just want to thank Deputy Mayor for bringing this forward because I do have an area that

[4:22:55] I do believe is a priority which is out fromville Park.

[4:22:58] The fact that they are still with a porta-party at this point is baffling to me.

[4:23:06] So I'm getting ready to meet the staff with regards to out ofville Park and I'm hoping that

[4:23:12] it can be a priority at some point in time and yeah I just want to say thank you for bringing this

[4:23:18] forward.

[4:23:21] Thank you Councillor Hartling please. Thank you very much Mr. Mayor and thank you to

[4:23:26] the deputy mayor for bringing this forward. I just want to chime in really quick about the

[4:23:31] drinking fountain strategy.

[4:23:35] I just want to call it that there might be funding opportunities elsewhere

[4:23:38] for a waste diversion when it comes to drinking fountains because if we have drinking fountains in there fewer people purchasing water bottles and, you know, fewer bottles end up in the landfill and there's less recycling.

[4:23:53] I believe that there is actually some funds available depending on the time of the year and that I think is something that we should be pursuing obviously using a drinking fountain to refill your cup.

[4:24:05] is a zero-way strategy. So I think it's helpful on many levels. Yeah, I just

[4:24:11] thought I'd leave that there. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Morse, please.

[4:24:16] Thank you. Yeah, I support this as well. I think it's very timely. One thing that's

[4:24:20] changed since we first started looking at this a number of years ago is I think our

[4:24:24] parks are working a lot harder than they used to. You know, we're having more

[4:24:28] events at our parks. We're having bigger events at our parks. Our population is

[4:24:33] grown and each park is doing more than it ever did before. And we need to have washrooms

[4:24:39] who kind of people are using the forest as they were doing in my district at an event

[4:24:43] last summer. So anyway, I think it's very timely. So thanks for bringing it forward.

[4:24:48] Thank you. Councillor Hensby. Thank you much, Mr. Mayor. I've seen in my particular district

[4:24:55] some of these washrooms being converted to some of our community facilities and actually

[4:24:59] that are working progress at the present time,

[4:25:01] they're not completed yet.

[4:25:02] The St. Tres Center and Grand Desert,

[4:25:05] the Bulkham Center and Port Duffron,

[4:25:07] and the Mojah River Community Hall.

[4:25:09] We're looking at doing bathroom motivations,

[4:25:11] but the problem now is we aren't converting it

[4:25:14] to the gender neutral design.

[4:25:17] There's no way we know male, female,

[4:25:19] washrooms anymore, it's all gonna be gender neutral.

[4:25:22] And there is some opposition, some community members

[4:25:26] in regards to how these things change.

[4:25:28] But it also may be difficulty with the building design or what confined spaces are in the building.

[4:25:34] So I'm kind of curious how staff are trying to adapt to those situations and

[4:25:39] hopefully that could be part of the report.

[4:25:41] And also when it comes to drinking water, I'm not just thinking about fountain projects.

[4:25:45] I'm thinking about access to water.

[4:25:47] I've been working with my community groups for organizations and look at what facilities have adequate water supplies like the Legion and the Cheat Harbor.

[4:25:54] We just drilled the well for the council's rescue groups and sheet harbors well and looking at the port Dufferin and an emotional river

[4:26:02] Community halls that they have adequate water all we need to do is have an outside tap for the communities access the water when the wells are going lower dry

[4:26:09] So we have opportunities there to provide water

[4:26:12] We just need to have the infrastructure proper infrastructure in place and also with that which also requirement of

[4:26:19] of testing the water to make sure it meets environment standards for

[4:26:23] product water use.

[4:26:24] So, but I want to make sure that's also part of the information report that

[4:26:28] comes forward with regards to the, if we're providing drinking water,

[4:26:32] how are we testing it to make sure it's safe for our residents to use?

[4:26:36] Thank you.

[4:26:38] Thank you very much.

[4:26:39] No other names on the list?

[4:26:40] What's your pleasure?

[4:26:41] Question is called.

[4:26:54] The motion carries.

[4:26:55] So, that brings us to item 16.2, my own motion regarding fairies, so we will switch seats

[4:27:02] again.

[4:27:03] Bear with us, please.

[4:28:12] Okay.

[4:28:13] We are now on item 16.2, which is a motion by Mayor Fillmore and the floor to you, Mr.

[4:28:21] Mayor.

[4:28:22] Thank you very much, colleagues, as we know, Halifax and HRM are growing very rapidly right

[4:28:29] now recent federal announcements reinforce our role as Canada's defense city and we'll

[4:28:34] bring more jobs, more businesses and more residents to the region and increasing numbers.

[4:28:38] That growth is an opportunity but it also requires us to plan for the infrastructure and

[4:28:42] core services that people depend on and our fairies system is a very clear example of that.

[4:28:48] The fairies connecting DARPA and the NALFACs move thousands of residents every day.

[4:28:52] They provide a reliable alternative to driving.

[4:28:55] they reduced pressure on our bridges in roads, yet for much of the past year, service frequency

[4:29:01] was reduced from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. In fact, in Q4 of last year, as many as nearly 4,000

[4:29:09] trips were canceled due to unplanned maintenance, and that resulted in a loss of about 21 percent

[4:29:15] of scheduled service. And riders correctly told us that that's not good enough. And interestingly,

[4:29:22] that's at a time when ferry ridership is up 3% over the last year and over the

[4:29:26] same year bus ridership was very hardly down 3% so ferries are in demand

[4:29:32] right now. The ferry fleet hasn't not expanded since 2018 but since 2018 our

[4:29:38] population has by 100,000 people and right now all five vessels are

[4:29:43] approaching a mandatory midlife overhaul those overhauls will take vessels out of

[4:29:47] service potentially placing further pressure on a system that already lacks

[4:29:51] sufficient redundancy and resiliency, excuse me we've already started addressing the investments.

[4:30:00] Last month, we passed Councillor Austin's motion to bring options for recapitalizing our existing

[4:30:04] ferry system into the 27-28 budget process. This motion is the next step. As we plan to

[4:30:11] maintain the system, we have, we also need to understand whether we have the fleet capacity

[4:30:15] and resilience, a growing municipality will need in the years ahead. We should assess that

[4:30:20] risk before another disruption forces our hand. Therefore, I move that Halifax Regional

[4:30:26] Council, Director Chief Administrative Officer, to return to Council by November 2026 with

[4:30:31] options to purchase one new passenger ferry servicing Aldermy Landing and Woodside

[4:30:36] routes.

[4:30:39] Thank you very much, Councilor Hensby. I would point out colleagues that this motion

[4:30:44] today clearly does not authorize a purchase. It simply asks staff to identify the options,

[4:30:49] the costs, the potential service benefits, so that Council can make an informed decision during

[4:30:54] the upcoming budget process. This motion also does not prioritize purchasing a new asset over

[4:30:59] Council's previous to examine infrastructure, direction to examine infrastructure renewal options

[4:31:05] for the Halifax Dartmouth Fair Service. It's a logical companion to that decision and will provide

[4:31:11] Council with a complete picture of the available options and their associated costs. The motion is

[4:31:17] also in line with the Acting CIOs request the Council table any motions impacting but budget before

[4:31:22] the end of this calendar year to allow staff to do their work and would return to council.

[4:31:28] This will also align with the expected delivery of the service review.

[4:31:32] I have consistently argued that we cannot do everything at once.

[4:31:36] Physical discipline, however, does not mean avoiding investment. It means concentrating

[4:31:41] limited public dollars where they have the greatest impact. Transit is a core municipal service.

[4:31:48] You have a sixth fairy could improve reliability, protect service during scheduled

[4:31:51] with overholes and support future growth, Council should understand that business case

[4:31:56] and weigh it against our other priorities through the budget process.

[4:32:00] Major infrastructure takes years to plan, fund, build and put into service.

[4:32:04] The prudent time to assess our needs is before they become a crisis and I hope that you

[4:32:08] will support this motion.

[4:32:10] Thank you very much.

[4:32:13] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and that was seconded by Councillor Hensby.

[4:32:20] First on the list, we have Councillor Mancini.

[4:32:23] Thank you, Deputy Mayor, so fairies. Well, no surprise around these chambers who loves the fairies.

[4:32:29] Definitely I do, and as many of you do. You know, I've always been a strong supporter of the

[4:32:34] fairie. Actually, I've really believed this meeting here, this before-goating camera, I'm

[4:32:38] hitting on the fairie. So, you know, the fairie is really key to our municipality.

[4:32:43] We need to take all the transfer and including fairie to the next level.

[4:32:51] And the

[4:32:51] opening comments about his motion, you know, the 4,000 trips canceled reduction of service

[4:32:57] this past year because of staffing and because of maintenance and mechanical breakdowns.

[4:33:02] And you all know my opinion of the delay in the tap and pay, you know, it just goes on

[4:33:06] and on and on, our frustration, when it's working, man, it's the best ticket in town.

[4:33:12] And we need to get our ferry and our bus service to the next level.

[4:33:16] We need more people out of their cars and going into transit.

[4:33:20] But until it's reliable, they're not going to do it.

[4:33:25] And so, you know, to add fairies, to add buses, as I supported, when Councillor Morris

[4:33:29] brought up the 10 buses, I think we added it at budget time, fully supported that.

[4:33:33] We had a purpose for it.

[4:33:35] There was an application right after that for it, previous of that, the buses we were going

[4:33:39] to retire.

[4:33:40] We didn't retire because we still needed to use them.

[4:33:43] So I'm all for looking at this, but I have some questions, Mr. Mayor, on it.

[4:33:49] My question to staff is we had a ferry today, a brand new one just arrived, and we're launching

[4:33:55] to tell you how it would be used.

[4:33:56] How would it help to address the challenges in service, would be one question I have?

[4:34:03] The cost is not only the purchase of the ferry, it goes along with that, too.

[4:34:10] It also means more personnel, so let's make sure we include the cost of the bodies their

[4:34:16] associated with it. But the main thing, Mr. Mayor, that I want to see that we include in this,

[4:34:21] it's we also need to make sure we have a place to dock the ferry. Right now, my understanding,

[4:34:26] we have one place that we lease, and I'm not even sure how that leasing works, but it's only one

[4:34:32] ferry. So we need to make sure we have a place to dock this additional ferry, and the maintenance that

[4:34:38] goes along with it. Our biggest challenge now with all the challenges we have our ferries is maintenance.

[4:34:42] We don't have our own maintenance facilities, so when we have to go to maintenance for our ferry, it has to go elsewhere to sometimes even leave the harbor, so that just causes that pain when it comes to service.

[4:34:54] So I'm hoping Mr. Mayor that you would include the not only the cost of the ferry but the staff at the docking location and the maintenance associated with that.

[4:35:02] But that has sort of staff come back, they said, okay, it's going to cost ex-several dollars

[4:35:06] of the ferry.

[4:35:07] We need this number of additional staff if any.

[4:35:10] And we also have to include the docking location and the maintenance associated with it.

[4:35:15] So hopefully you could include that with it.

[4:35:17] And if you can, then I support it.

[4:35:19] But there's a lot of questions here that I have, but I'm always game to have another ferry,

[4:35:24] or another bus, but I'll miss.

[4:35:26] If that's a free, can I make that friendly member include that it's Madame Madame Madame

[4:35:32] Madame Madame.

[4:35:32] Could you provide the wording to the board?

[4:35:34] To also include and may help you with the wording to make sure we include the cost associated

[4:35:40] with finding a docking location and the cost associated with that staffing and any additional

[4:35:46] maintenance is required.

[4:35:48] I don't know if we capture that Madame Clerk but the variation of that and who seconded

[4:35:54] That motion was Councillor Hensby second the motion I think.

[4:36:01] Are you okay with that front name?

[4:36:03] Yep.

[4:36:04] Do we have that capture?

[4:36:05] Yeah.

[4:36:08] Sorry about that.

[4:36:24] And docking location.

[4:36:27] It may not be right to your terminology, but nothing

[4:36:33] like trying to write and having thousands

[4:36:35] of people watch your writing.

[4:36:38] Add a pressure, right?

[4:36:39] Thousands?

[4:36:40] Thousands of millions of watching at home.

[4:36:58] I guess we assume that includes costs with that I'm looking at Jaclyn so I'm okay that if Mr. Mayor you're okay with that and David's looking for that is the staff

[4:37:18] etc. Maintenance I'm looking at the acting CAO that's my intent here is to make sure we're considering

[4:37:25] the docking location to be fine one and the cost associated with that, along with any additional staff needed to add another ferry.

[4:37:33] Well, we're amending this. There's also additional suggestion from the city solicitor.

[4:37:39] Sure.

[4:37:42] Thank you. Mr. Rang, it's just for clarity if we could refer to a staff report.

[4:37:48] In there just as after the words November, there we are. Clerk's putting it in. Thank you.

[4:37:59] So I look like Madam Deputy Mayor, that's a friendly everyone accepts that, and I'm

[4:38:04] good with that.

[4:38:05] Thank you very much for your time.

[4:38:08] Thank you.

[4:38:09] Next on the list, we have Councillor Hensby.

[4:38:14] Thank you much, Deputy Mayor.

[4:38:17] I'm an advocate of having more ferries for our harbor.

[4:38:20] I always felt that we should have two ferries per terminal.

[4:38:24] Each of our terminals can house two ferries.

[4:38:26] So therefore we have six parking spots for each of our fairies.

[4:38:30] We have five now I believe fairies and a six one will fill that capacity.

[4:38:34] I also believe we should have a seventh fairy in rotation because we always have one

[4:38:38] fairy or maybe two at a commission for the standardized transport Canada in inspections

[4:38:44] that has to go through after so many hours of operation.

[4:38:48] So I think that down the road as we bring on the the the Bedford terminal and stuff and

[4:38:53] other ferry terminals, which we ramping up the amount of boats that we have.

[4:38:57] And also it's good for our local economies, our latest ferry has been built, I believe,

[4:39:01] by the tarot shipyards down in South Shore, in the Shelburne, the armored area.

[4:39:08] And so I'm hoping that they can continue on with that shipbuilding legacy that they have

[4:39:14] with us.

[4:39:15] But I believe that if we talk about how important our harbor is, regardless of transportation,

[4:39:20] you know, we don't need to pave it. We don't need to snow plow it. Occasionally we have a nice flow jam from time and time, but I think that's an important way to boost our capacity on the harbor, and then I'm full support of this motion. Thank you.

[4:39:38] Thank you. Councillor Austin.

[4:39:42] Thank you, Mr. Deputy, and Councillor Hensby built locally with Canadian steel.

[4:39:56] I mean, I'm supportive of taking a look at this, but right now, I think it's an unknown

[4:40:06] as to whether actually this is what we need.

[4:40:09] Because the operational review into the ferry service hasn't been completed yet, right?

[4:40:14] like we still have that work to come back to us and part of that work is looking at the

[4:40:19] asset management of the boats that we have. Would we have had the service disruptions that

[4:40:25] we've been through from a maintenance point of view if we were doing our jobs properly with

[4:40:29] the fleet we have? And I think that's the first and foremost question that we have to have answered

[4:40:33] before we jump to the idea of we need another ferry. I'm happy to see this request from the

[4:40:44] Because we are, you know, my understanding that work is coming back this fall anyway.

[4:40:49] And so then the two things would align.

[4:40:52] I know we don't normally ask staff.

[4:40:54] I was trying to find that.

[4:40:56] What's the deadline for the operational review?

[4:40:59] I'm pretty sure they were working to the fall.

[4:41:03] Deputy Mayor, I can speak to this.

[4:41:07] Yes, Deputy Mayor, through you to Councillor Austin, the very service review is underway and

[4:41:13] And we'll provide that more holistic look at service, the state of the service and potential

[4:41:18] service expansion.

[4:41:20] We are looking at a later fall timeline than the motion.

[4:41:27] So certainly, staff can endeavor to provide information at a higher level.

[4:41:32] I think the rail challenge will be around some of the cost estimates, but certainly we can

[4:41:38] provide some preliminary information to council if that's the wish at this time?

[4:41:44] Yeah, that would be good. I think that's good advice. I wonder, Mr. Mayor, whether you consider it

[4:41:49] friendly, if instead of by November, so I'm just reading Christus over the shoulder here,

[4:41:54] to return to council by November 20, 1026, whether instead it could be to return to council alongside

[4:42:00] the operational review so that we get both pieces of info at the same time. Because I think I don't say

[4:42:06] that we can make one decision without the other.

[4:42:13] Mr. Mayor.

[4:42:14] Thank

[4:42:17] you.

[4:42:18] It seems to make sense to me,

[4:42:19] I would just maybe look to the acting CAO

[4:42:23] to see if that is a complicating factor

[4:42:26] or a simplifying factor if that's knowable today.

[4:42:32] We will certainly endeavor to have it to you by November.

[4:42:35] I am mindful of the budget timeline as well,

[4:42:38] which I know was the spirit of the mayor's motion

[4:42:40] to try to get some information to counsel

[4:42:42] ahead of the budget process.

[4:42:44] And I think we can make the November timeline doable and we may not have the level of detail on the cost estimates at that point, but we would certainly have information flowing on the context of the service review.

[4:43:06] I think the Mayor's question was more, could the two things come together?

[4:43:15] Councillor Austin is proposing a friendly amendment that would have the two come back together

[4:43:21] and I just wanted to make sure that didn't create a hardship or make something harder

[4:43:25] for you for the staff rather than easier.

[4:43:28] I think from a staff perspective the November timeline and having the two aligned is likely

[4:43:37] I just don't want to, I guess, commit that we will have full blown analysis of all the aspects that I know have been referenced around the maintenance costs and all of that, you know, with the report, but we will certainly endeavor to provide it.

[4:43:55] Well, the ferry service review and the in the November timeline, okay, then then yes, it seems a friendly amendments in order

[4:44:04] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, as long as I

[4:44:09] Alongside a review

[4:44:17] Okay,

[4:44:23] so that's considered a friendly amendment. We'll move on to the next speaker

[4:44:27] Councillor Kent. Yes, thank you Madam Deputy Mayor

[4:44:31] I am I can support this at this time

[4:44:34] I might too think that the most important piece I think that will come out of the operational

[4:44:40] review would be something identifying this. I've always been in favor of more fairies

[4:44:46] with now with my connection back to Woodside. Most of my concerns around fairies for just

[4:44:52] three come through the woodside avenue for

[4:45:00] An extra ferry, when it's related, it says, you know, to support the two ferries, but one ferry to me just complicates it. Having two ferries, because there's, where does it go? What's the schedule? Where's, you know, who's gone, which, which avenue will it take? That's information that has to come forward before we can decide whether one or two or whatever. The other piece about this is the, is the importance of parking. And I know we want to get people out of,

[4:45:29] vehicles, 100%, but there is part of this municipality that it's just not probably not

[4:45:35] going to happen without more parking that they could park and then use another mode

[4:45:41] of transportation, which would be fairies. Perhaps there would be more parking rides

[4:45:46] that have to come in so people can get other cars as they enter into a suburban area, but

[4:45:51] that also is another part of transit that has to support these kinds of things.

[4:45:57] The requests come in regularly for more service at Woodside, and I know Councilor Austin would

[4:46:04] agree.

[4:46:05] You know, people are people want to use it, but don't always have the capacity mostly

[4:46:10] for the Woodside Fairies around parking.

[4:46:13] So I can support this as well for now.

[4:46:17] The operational review will be very interesting to see.

[4:46:20] I know I've had some conversation with Robin Girouce, and I think that he is committed

[4:46:27] certainly to finding resolutions to our transit and our very operational and our infrastructure

[4:46:35] and all of those layers, it's complicated.

[4:46:38] Transportation and municipality like this is complicated.

[4:46:41] And one thing can have a trickle effect into the complexity.

[4:46:47] city. So we have to be mindful of that. I'm okay with asking for something to come back

[4:46:53] in November, but I don't necessarily think that, as Jacqueline mentioned, that they're

[4:47:02] going to have all the information that is going to go to it. We as a council have supported

[4:47:07] buses and ferries from Bedford, then we send them back and say, okay, now get the real

[4:47:14] information that has to come forward. So, this is a long process to go forward. So, it has to start somewhere. So, I'll support this.

[4:47:24] Councillor Hartling. Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

[4:47:29] I'm not going to lie. I really struggle with this one. I understand the importance of fairy service

[4:47:35] for folks in, you know, folks across the municipality, but I understand why there's so much support

[4:47:40] on that side of the horseshoe and the Dartmouth side. And I really appreciate that. I understand that we did

[4:47:46] have some significant issues and real challenges with reliability in a pretty recent past around

[4:47:55] fairy service. However, you know, based off of my understanding, we had pretty significant

[4:48:02] parts problems that were aggravated by a supply chain problem. I'm not convinced that, you

[4:48:07] know, having one new fairy will solve the problems that we experience and I think it's really

[4:48:12] important that we get that addressed before we look at investing in a new one.

[4:48:18] The other thing is, and I know that there is this very operation review going on, and

[4:48:24] I appreciate that there might be an opportunity for that to come back in advance of budget.

[4:48:29] I'm also thinking very long and hard about the core service plan that, you know, from transit,

[4:48:36] I don't recall asking for a ferry being part of that, being part of that.

[4:48:40] So I think, you know, for me, I have much more confidence in putting my vote behind things

[4:48:53] where I understand where the net benefit to our residents will be and that net benefit

[4:49:01] is weighed against all of the potential benefits that we could be putting, we could be putting

[4:49:06] tax dollars towards them and where we could be investing. And I don't have that confidence yet.

[4:49:12] So, I appreciate that this is only for a staff report, but I'm just putting those

[4:49:17] hesitations out there that I don't see the immediate value add based off of the information

[4:49:22] that I know today. Thank you.

[4:49:28] Thank you. Councillor Steele.

[4:49:31] Thank you, Deputy Mayor. My comments are similar to Councillor Hartlings.

[4:49:36] things. I was looking forward to receiving the operational review. I should say at front,

[4:49:44] though, rapid and reliable public transit is super important. It's important for the

[4:49:48] municipality and, yes, Councillor Kent, we need to get people out of their cars. We need

[4:49:53] to have good bike lanes to get them to the ferry. But I do have some hesitation about this request

[4:50:03] for an additional ferry because I think something else that has been brought up is the overall service levels.

[4:50:10] What service levels are we ideally trying to achieve? I know when the re-decking took place on the

[4:50:17] Macdonald Bridge, there was enhanced service levels were brought to bear and some of those service

[4:50:24] levels were retained. Well, perhaps the ridership justifies this but I'm hopeful that some of this will

[4:50:30] will be looked at to be identified.

[4:50:34] And we currently have five fairies.

[4:50:36] One is a backup and we've had a lot of issues

[4:50:38] and maybe we'll have a future year similar to this year.

[4:50:43] But I do have some hesitation with this request

[4:50:47] and I don't really understand

[4:50:50] sort of what's driving it mayor Philmore with all due respect.

[4:50:56] I, it wasn't part of any of our capital budgeting

[4:50:59] or I didn't see it identified in the core service review or other identified needs and

[4:51:06] I haven't heard it from our staff as being one of the needs.

[4:51:10] Although I do know there's a lot of maintenance being scheduled for the paris that we have,

[4:51:15] so I'm hesitant.

[4:51:19] Thank you.

[4:51:22] All right.

[4:51:22] Thank you.

[4:51:23] Councillor Morris.

[4:51:26] Thank you.

[4:51:27] And similar to Councillor Hartling and Steele.

[4:51:30] I'm not sure where this is coming from and whether it will address the reliability concerns

[4:51:36] that I've heard this afternoon.

[4:51:39] Just a reminder, it wasn't in the core services plan.

[4:51:43] It took about a year to develop the core services plan for transit and it was a three year plan.

[4:51:49] So it just, you know, we don't tend to put a major capital item with big implications

[4:51:56] for our operating budget in on such short notice with just a few months notice, especially if it hasn't been put forward as part of a broader transit plan through the core services plan, so I'm having trouble supporting this as well.

[4:52:14] All right, thank you.

[4:52:16] Councillor Dagle-Gammon.

[4:52:19] Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor Madam Chair.

[4:52:22] where the theme continues with me about where has this come from. You know, even when

[4:52:32] we do notice, the notice of motion was there at the last meeting I believe, so we did

[4:52:37] know that this was coming. I don't know if it came through transportation standing committee

[4:52:43] if there was any conversation there. I'm not on that committee, so I'm just curious if

[4:52:47] there was any conversation there or not.

[4:52:50] It's interesting that nobody from transit is here.

[4:52:54] And we're talking about a report for a new ferry.

[4:52:59] So there's so many questions.

[4:53:01] The original motion, I absolutely knew

[4:53:04] that I wasn't going to be, that I would have grave concerns

[4:53:07] over and I was looking forward to this conversation.

[4:53:10] The additions to the motion make it a bit better

[4:53:16] because there are so many other costs besides just one ferry.

[4:53:19] I'm glad to see the solicitor said a staff report,

[4:53:22] because otherwise it looked like it was just options for funding.

[4:53:26] And I was like, how do we know we need one?

[4:53:29] And there have been so many issues with transit.

[4:53:32] And it's not a surprise to anybody around this room that,

[4:53:36] you know, I've voiced concerns about we need a real review of transit.

[4:53:40] that there are some issues within that department that need to be addressed and I was hoping the operational review will put a light on that.

[4:53:51] The operational view might even tell us that we want to see maybe the AG to look at transit and what's happening and what's not and what we're doing and what we're not doing and what we're following, what we're not following.

[4:54:02] but there are a lot of issues here and I'm like, you know, the end of last budget last minute,

[4:54:09] we threw ten buses at a problem. Now, are we throwing a ferry at a problem that I don't understand

[4:54:16] where it is a problem or how it is? So, like I said, even though the amendments to the motion,

[4:54:22] you know, they make it better, but I still struggle to figure out

[4:54:26] an especially thinking that it's going to come before this budget. There's a lot to look at.

[4:54:32] to get all of that information in front of us before budget time, even just the cost

[4:54:40] of a ferry.

[4:54:40] How many staff are required per ferry?

[4:54:45] That's an interesting thing.

[4:54:46] We just debated two staff for affordable housing, and we talked about affordability as

[4:54:50] being one of our core mandates, and so we debated for an hour or more on two staff for that,

[4:54:57] but we don't even know how many staff are required for servicing a new ferry and whether or not

[4:55:03] the docking location is there and the costs and the maintenance. So to me there's just so much

[4:55:09] work that needs to be done before we get to this kind of emotion. We may get here in a

[4:55:15] years' time, but I'm not sure that we're ready to be here now. Thank you.

[4:55:22] All right, thank you.

[4:55:23] Councillor St. Amal. Thank you Madam Chair. Councillor Vigil Gammon you kind of read my mind.

[4:55:30] I mean I was thinking exactly that same thing. I mean we spent a considerable amount of time debating

[4:55:35] whether or not it was warranted to look at two permanent staff in order to stop doing napkin

[4:55:41] math on the side of a desk in order to provide resources to our affordable housing strategy.

[4:55:47] This would, I have to think, involve more than just two people.

[4:55:51] I mean, anytime I've been on a ferry, there's been more than two people on board, and there's more

[4:55:55] still on the shore. But at the same time, you know, the value proposition of a service enhancement

[4:56:02] is a little bit easier to articulate to residents and when we get staff reports back on one subject

[4:56:09] versus another sometimes it illuminates the path that we shouldn't take as opposed to the

[4:56:12] path that we thought we were going to take when requesting the information. So I'm comfortable

[4:56:17] supporting this motion particularly in light of the revisions that have been already made to it

[4:56:23] that allow us to look at the comparison with other reports that are in flight and I will note that

[4:56:31] the Milco Ferry Project next report, the next update is due to come back sometime around

[4:56:37] that same time as well. And for anybody that needs a reminder, that too had an operational

[4:56:44] maintenance bay as part of the capital project. And so some of the things that Councillor

[4:56:50] Mancini asked to be included to ensure that operational costs associated with the maintenance and

[4:56:58] looking at having somewhere to dock the various different vessels, some of that may be incorporated within that future capital project even though it wouldn't be something that would be initiated right away.

[4:57:09] So it's good to have some of these three related projects coming back to us with at least a degree of crossover.

[4:57:15] And I just wanted to voice my support for the mayor's motion here for that reason and to have Jacqueline make a note that at least there's some connective tissue between those.

[4:57:27] Those three that we would ultimately want to have looked at, and in particular, I am curious

[4:57:33] to know whether or not, as part of this motion, whether the analysis will include a degree

[4:57:39] of lens coming from transit side, because as some of my Councillors have already noted, and

[4:57:45] in particular, Councillor Degrogane, and we, you know, pulled the trigger on looking for buses

[4:57:51] is in part because more buses were raised as a prospect within the core services plan

[4:57:57] coming from transit. This is a little bit of an outlier that wasn't specifically requested,

[4:58:02] but I think it's important that we look at the analysis through that same lens to understand

[4:58:07] what kind of relationship, an investment in a new ferry for the Halifax to Dartmouth crossing

[4:58:13] would wind up meaning to that overall network.

[4:58:20] Thank you. Councillor Perty.

[4:58:22] thank you Deputy Mayor.

[4:58:26] Yeah I I'm going to support this I and I think where

[4:58:33] this is coming from is is the five months of impacted service with our

[4:58:40] ferries so that's I think responding to a need and obviously the many

[4:58:45] residents who reached out with concerns affecting their commuting.

[4:58:53] I'm wondering, the cost

[4:58:57] analysis, Jacqueline,

[4:59:01] I mean, kind of earned uncertainty. So even if we did get a report with

[4:59:05] accurate or accurate to the day cost analysis, I mean in five months, six months, one year,

[4:59:12] that could completely change and be completely thrown off anyway.

[4:59:16] So any numbers we get, we have to take with a grain of salt, I think, with where we're

[4:59:23] at, unfortunately, but if it could be pushed out another month to get a more accurate understanding

[4:59:33] of the financial impact, I'd be happy to wait the month to get a more accurate view.

[4:59:43] even if it's not going to be accurate in the long run I guess, so I will be

[4:59:50] supporting this and happy that the amendments, the friendly amendments were

[4:59:54] added because I think it gives them more fulsome.

[5:00:04] Thank you. Councillor Hinch.

[5:00:12] Thank you, Deputy Mayor. I'll support the motion with the amendments as well. My only concern is that with getting a new ferry and still having the old ferries that are hardly ever working. Is that going to is it going to make anything any better? I feel like once we get a new ferry, if we get a new ferry,

[5:00:36] then we have these O-Feries that are going to remain O-to-commission and not fully be repaired in

[5:00:44] a timely manner. That's my only concern about this because, again, they get a new ferry so

[5:00:50] oh well we don't have to rush to fix the ferry that's O-to-commission right now. So those are my

[5:00:55] concerns and I feel that we're going to go back into that same predicament that we're in right now

[5:01:02] with the lack of service, that would be my only concern.

[5:01:07] But I will support the motion going forward.

[5:01:10] Thank you.

[5:01:14] Thank you.

[5:01:15] And everyone on the list has spoken once,

[5:01:18] if I could make a few comments from the chair.

[5:01:22] Yeah, so just so you know when those fairies leave,

[5:01:26] the harbor, to go get repaired, they end up in Sandbro head

[5:01:29] in District 11.

[5:01:31] I don't think people quite realize how industrialized

[5:01:33] it is out in San Mar. There's a lot that goes on there and you can often see our fairies

[5:01:38] like hoisted up getting repaired and I always love seeing that. So I had a friend once who

[5:01:45] said that she hated projects that continued to have babies. And I feel that this motion here

[5:01:51] is one of those motions that's continuing to have babies because there's a lot of things wrapped

[5:01:57] around this ask that weren't considered in the original motion that we're now adding

[5:02:04] on and even though I agree with the comments that it's making the motion better, I do

[5:02:09] think that there's an opportunity to go back and strengthen the motion and not look at

[5:02:14] this in a silo. You know, we brought up, we've heard about the parking at Woodside already

[5:02:22] as being an impediment to people getting on the existing ferry. So I haven't seen

[5:02:27] the case made that adding an additional ferry would add to increased ridership if there's

[5:02:34] nowhere to park. We've also had this discussion with Melcove. You know, we looked again at

[5:02:40] that in a silo and we didn't have a good grasp on what the supporting infrastructure around

[5:02:45] that ferry terminal was going to cost us in terms of additional bus routes and in terms

[5:02:50] of additional buses to get people to the ferry. So we need to understand that. Like do we

[5:02:56] do we need new bus routes to support an additional ferry in order to get the ridership?

[5:03:02] I haven't seen the case.

[5:03:04] I think that we really need to take a comprehensive look and a comprehensive understanding.

[5:03:10] We've seen in the course service plan, like bigger ambitions around ferries.

[5:03:14] We've seen hopefully additional ferries to Shannon Park and additional ferry routes across the harbor and

[5:03:22] and taking advantage of our harbor for transportation.

[5:03:29] But in buying one ferry does that then compromise perhaps a future purchase

[5:03:35] of multiple ferries and better pricing.

[5:03:38] So I feel that this is a bit of an orphan motion at the moment,

[5:03:42] and I can't support it.

[5:03:45] I also think that the rationale around looking at impact is interesting.

[5:03:51] You know, 3% increase in ferry and a 3% decrease in transit.

[5:03:57] You know, what is behind those trends?

[5:04:00] And also look at the total numbers.

[5:04:03] What is the total number of people being moved by ferries versus the total number of people

[5:04:07] being moved by buses?

[5:04:08] And we know that thousands more are moved by buses.

[5:04:14] And so, you know, that rationale is, doesn't necessarily hold water for me.

[5:04:24] And you've also got to ask, well, why is there a decrease in transit?

[5:04:27] And we know it's because we're having issues with on-time performance with overcrowding.

[5:04:32] The bus is driving by people on the sidewalk with roots being canceled.

[5:04:36] So, it doesn't necessarily mean there's a decrease in demand, it could be a number of factors contributing to those stats, and we don't know enough at this point to kind of use that as a basis for making a decision on this motion.

[5:04:53] You know, I really agree with, I think it was Canada's sort of camp who said we need

[5:04:58] to be mindful that what we need right now are real solutions with real impacts.

[5:05:03] So I'm all for fairies.

[5:05:06] I think fairies are awesome.

[5:05:07] I'm all for using our harbor.

[5:05:08] I think it's one of our greatest natural assets.

[5:05:10] I just can't support this motion at this time and we'd like to see it come back as part

[5:05:15] of, you know, with a longer term view of a fairie strategy.

[5:05:20] What's required to support that very strategy and see it within the core service plan.

[5:05:26] You know, I think there are questions about what's driving this, both figuratively and

[5:05:31] literally as well.

[5:05:33] Thanks.

[5:05:37] Okay.

[5:05:37] Councillor Mancini.

[5:05:40] Thank you, Deputy Mary.

[5:05:42] You know, there's a lot of questions with this motion.

[5:05:45] They're all about the questions and it is unfortunate that the transit is not here today and

[5:05:50] And typically, you're not going to count for a mayor brings forward a motion.

[5:05:53] We don't usually have debate over that, we don't have staff respond to it.

[5:05:57] Sometimes we have to hear they will, but it's unfortunate because I think some of the

[5:06:01] questions we have, they could respond to today, and that would help us.

[5:06:05] And I understand the concerns, and I have some of the same questions.

[5:06:09] I was wondering why is the mayor bringing this forward at this point in time, but he is.

[5:06:14] And so there's an opportunity to learn.

[5:06:15] We always talk about evidence-based decision-making.

[5:06:19] Well, let's get some evidence here.

[5:06:21] Just because you have questions is not,

[5:06:23] in my opinion, not a reason to not support

[5:06:25] what the mayor is asking here.

[5:06:28] Let's get those questions answered.

[5:06:30] Let's have the discussion back in November,

[5:06:32] along with the operational review.

[5:06:34] And I've seen pieces of that operational review,

[5:06:36] but not in entirety.

[5:06:38] So let's have this conversation about the ferry,

[5:06:41] because I have the same question.

[5:06:42] We'll add in a ferry, do anything.

[5:06:44] maybe the answer is no, well then that decision is much easier. Or maybe it's yes and it has a

[5:06:50] significant change and impact that will improve our service. I really hate the discussion I've heard

[5:06:55] in the chambers about buses versus fairies. It's not an either or scenario. We need both. We need

[5:07:00] an enhanced both. Yes, we can move more people with buses. We also can move more people who are now

[5:07:06] by having a improved transit service. So I ask colleagues, even though you have lots of questions

[5:07:13] and they're very good questions and I have the exact same questions.

[5:07:17] Let's get the information.

[5:07:18] Let's not kill the motion now.

[5:07:19] Let's come back.

[5:07:21] I really like Councillor Osmond's change to the motion.

[5:07:24] So we bring it back the same time as the operation review,

[5:07:27] which staff for the room when we can have this more in-depth question.

[5:07:30] So I ask you to support it.

[5:07:31] I also ask the Jacqueline when it comes back with this kind of emotion.

[5:07:35] And we should be looking at most of our motions like this when there's added costs.

[5:07:38] You know, whatever the cost is for the ferry, the staffing,

[5:07:42] the docking, what's the impact on the tax rate, right?

[5:07:47] What's that impact on it?

[5:07:48] We're going to be sure we include that at the same time.

[5:07:51] I don't think I need that in the motion,

[5:07:52] but Jack will be okay with that.

[5:07:55] We could include that.

[5:07:56] So, colleagues, great questions.

[5:07:58] I have some of the same questions you have.

[5:08:00] Let's get all the information.

[5:08:02] Let's have this discussion again in November,

[5:08:04] and then we can decide that and what's the right thing to do.

[5:08:07] Appreciate your time, thank you.

[5:08:08] Thank

[5:08:13] you.

[5:08:13] To close, Mayor Philmore.

[5:08:16] Thank you very much, Deputy Mayor.

[5:08:18] And thank you colleagues for a very full discussion here.

[5:08:24] There are a lot of things we don't know.

[5:08:26] And that's exactly why I have moved the motion so that we can know.

[5:08:30] We can know the cost.

[5:08:32] We can know the impact on ridership.

[5:08:34] We can know the interplay between fairies and the buses that serve them.

[5:08:40] We do, but we do already know quite a few things.

[5:08:43] We know that we've had five fairies in service since 2018 and in that time the population

[5:08:48] has grown by 100,000 people.

[5:08:50] We know that those fairies are now aging.

[5:08:53] They're spending more time in the repair depot than they did in the last several years.

[5:08:59] A five-fairy system was designed so that one could be in scheduled maintenance and the

[5:09:02] other forward run and maintain 15-minute service.

[5:09:05] We no longer have five fairies that can reliably, four services that can reliably be in service while the fifth is in scheduled maintenance.

[5:09:13] We're seeing unscheduled maintenance calls, which means we're dropping down to 30 minutes, which means that in a single quarter we lost 21% of fairy crossings.

[5:09:26] And even with that loss of fairy crossings in one quarter, the demand grew by 3%.

[5:09:33] Ferrys are increasing demand.

[5:09:36] The population is growing.

[5:09:38] People are looking to the fairies as an alternative to congestion.

[5:09:41] This is where we can have enormous impact on people's lives.

[5:09:47] And whether the motion goes today or next year, we will hold on and try to get more information.

[5:09:54] Well, this motion is about getting information, and well, you know, all those people who couldn't get to work and lost wages and couldn't get to their daycare when the fairies weren't running.

[5:10:04] They don't want us to wait a year to have this conversation. They're ready for us to solve this problem now.

[5:10:10] The point about bus routes, the sixth ferry is about maintaining 15 minutes service.

[5:10:18] it wouldn't change the bus routes or systems that feed them, it's simply about restoring

[5:10:24] the service that we have enjoyed in the past to 15-minute service.

[5:10:28] So that happens irrespective of impact on larger bus routes.

[5:10:33] If we think about the ferry system in Halifax Harbor 20 years from now, it's not going

[5:10:40] to be these beautiful boats made by Terrio, it's going to be something different.

[5:10:44] It's going to be hybrid, they're going to be electric, whatever it's going to be, we're

[5:10:47] going to be building new ferry terminals that are going to have a different technology incorporated into them, but the system we have today is designed for those oval ferries with joystick controllers, with staff that are trained on them with local maintenance and knows how to fix them.

[5:11:00] And that system is missing a ferry because of how they're aging right now.

[5:11:04] The system is underperforming and failing and the fix for that is adding a ferry of the same technology to make the most of the infrastructure that we've already invested in that we already own.

[5:11:15] While the work continues on what the ferry system of the future will be.

[5:11:21] So I chose October because I wanted to be in line with what the acting CAO asked us for

[5:11:27] for major capital ideas.

[5:11:29] If December works for what the acting CAO suggested, I believe he said the end of the year.

[5:11:35] We get someone said to go, we add a month and get more information, I'm happy to add a month

[5:11:38] after they change that to December, if it's in the spirit of what the acting CAO asked for.

[5:11:42] So if that gives a little bit more comfort so we can get a little bit more data in the report, that's fine, but I think it's clear that our riders are asking us to improve the various service.

[5:11:56] Thank you.

[5:12:24] Right, so that motion passes.

[5:12:29] We will now switch seats back.

[5:13:38] Colleagues, now we're ready to go in camera.

[5:13:42] Yes, Councillor Dagle game.

[5:13:47] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[5:13:47] I was just wondering if we might be able to quickly go through 18.1 before we go in camera on the added items.

[5:13:55] I think it's the only added item.

[5:14:03] Yeah, I don't have any objection. I don't know. I'll ask the clerk or the solicitor if we need to have a motion for

[5:14:09] Reordering the agreed upon order. No, we're good. Okay. Then if everyone's fine with that

[5:14:14] I don't see any dissent in the room. We'll jump ahead to 18.1

[5:14:19] Which perhaps well your name is on the list. Would you like to put the motion on the floor? Okay

[5:14:25] Thank you. Yes

[5:14:27] I'd move that the Halifax Regional Council one adopt the proposed 2027 Halifax Regional Council meeting

[5:14:33] Schedule as outlined in attachment one of the staff report dated July 9th

[5:14:37] 2026 and two adopt the proposed 2027 28 budget

[5:14:42] scheduled as outlined in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated July 9th, 2026.

[5:14:50] Seconded by Councillor Steedle. Would you like to say more?

[5:14:54] Thank you. Yes, if I may. Thank you very much.

[5:15:00] Council.

[5:15:02] Schedule, but on the budget schedule, there's, you know, we did a really nice debrief

[5:15:08] with mayor and council around what was worked well last year and what we can approve upon.

[5:15:14] So the schedule that's proposed here is like 13 days and then six days that are contingency

[5:15:21] days should we need them. And I do know that, you know, it's a, it's a long process because

[5:15:27] it does go from like one day in November, one day in December, one day in January, and

[5:15:33] then February and March are the heaviest times.

[5:15:38] We can streamline our work by doing all of our research beforehand, which I think is

[5:15:45] a great way for us to make this go more smoothly.

[5:15:50] We do have the evening session on January 26th, which is great.

[5:15:55] it. Also, though, it's important for members of the public to know that before any of the

[5:16:02] bundles, before operations, for example, capital plan, operations, public safety, corporate,

[5:16:08] the bell, that the public can welcome to participate in the budget and can speak to anything

[5:16:15] on the budget that they require. So I do think that it's a good list. I know that some people

[5:16:20] are worried, you know, that maybe our budget process is too lengthy. It's very transparent.

[5:16:28] We do a good deep dive into everything that we do, so I think that's important. The only

[5:16:34] other thing I would add in is that when we spoke about this, that executive standing committee

[5:16:40] was to make sure that it's added in on a list that on January 12th is when we will see

[5:16:46] the report from PVSC, and that's when we'll see the assessment role.

[5:16:51] Those are my comments to this point. Thank you.

[5:16:57] Okay. I don't see any other names on the list show we have the question.

[5:17:02] Questions called.

[5:17:18] And the motion carries. Thank you very much for that.

[5:17:23] We are now, now, now ready to go in camera.

[5:17:55] Okay. Is there a motion to go on camera? Councilor Steele, seconded by Councillor Prody.

[5:18:01] Thank you. We'll just give a moment for the room to get prepared.

[5:18:11] Colleagues, the clerk raises an interesting question. I just noticed in the text thread

[5:18:16] that we're interested in forging ahead without ordering supper and getting the thing done.

[5:18:22] Would you then like to have a little nature break now?

[5:18:25] Yeah, okay, then how about we come back at 315 and we'll be in camera. Thank you

[6:50:13] All right. We're back in business and we're in open session. And the first order of business is to ratify a number of the end camera decisions that were made. And that begins with item 17.3. And for that, I'm going to turn to the deputy mayor to ratify the public motion by the deputy mayor for item 17.3.

[6:50:34] Thank you.

[6:50:38] I move that the matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers

[6:50:47] and employees of the municipality pertaining.

[6:50:56] Under here. Okay. Thank you. I was going

[6:50:59] to say better. Where is this leading? Okay. Yes. I move that Halifax Regional Council adopt

[6:51:07] the recommendations is outlined in the private and confidential report dated July 30th, 2026,

[6:51:13] and two direct that the private and confidential report dated July 30th, 2026 be maintained private

[6:51:19] and confidential. Seconded by Councillor Young. And all those,

[6:51:29] colleagues, this is a digital vote.

[6:51:31] We'll go to the vote and

[6:51:55] the motion carries. We will then go on to item 17.4 and I'll turn to

[6:52:03] Councillor Steele, please.

[6:52:05] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[6:52:06] I move that Halifax Regional Council 1

[6:52:09] adopt the recommendations as outlined

[6:52:12] in the private and confidential report

[6:52:13] dated July 30, 2026 and 2

[6:52:17] direct that the private and confidential report

[6:52:19] dated July 30, 2026 be maintained

[6:52:23] private and confidential.

[6:52:26] Is there a seconder?

[6:52:28] Councillor Hartley.

[6:52:30] Okay, and we'll go to the electronic voting, please.

[6:52:56] and the motion carries. Thank you.

[6:52:59] This brings us to item 17.6, and I believe I'm going to Councillor Dagle-Gammon for that.

[6:53:09] Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and motion that the Halifax Regional Council won adopt the recommendations

[6:53:15] as outlined in the Private and Confidential Report, dated August 14, 2026, and to release

[6:53:21] the Private and Confidential Report, dated August 14, 2026, to the public once the conditions

[6:53:26] as outlined in the report have been met.

[6:53:29] Seconded by Councillor Hensby, and we will go to the digital vote.

[6:53:46] The motion carries.

[6:53:48] This brings us to 17.7, for which I will also return to Councillor David Wigaman.

[6:53:54] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[6:53:55] Move that the Halifax Regional Council one, adopt the recommendations as outlined in the

[6:53:59] Private and Confidential Report, dated August 20th, 2026, and two direct at the Private

[6:54:05] and Confidential Report, dated August 20th, 2026,

[6:54:08] be maintained private and confidential.

[6:54:12] Seconded by Councillor Hensby, and we'll go to the digital vote.

[6:54:29] And the motion carries.

[6:54:32] Okay, colleagues, that leaves us with our final item of business, which is notices of

[6:54:37] motion.

[6:54:39] And I'll just look and see who jumps on the board there,

[6:54:44] Councillor Austin, please.

[6:54:46] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

[6:54:48] This is for Councillor Mancini.

[6:54:50] I take notice that at a future meeting of Halifax Regional Council, I intend to introduce a motion to adopt amendments to the terms of reference for the Act of Transportation Advisory Committee, ATAC, and the Point Puzzle Park Advisory Committee PPDAC.

[6:55:04] The purpose of the proposed amendments is to implement recommendations arising from phase one of the governance review and other housekeeping amendments.

[6:55:11] So noted. Thank you very much. Excuse me, anyone else? I don't see anyone else. I've

[6:55:17] got one myself. So take notice that at a future meeting of Halifax Regional Counsel, I

[6:55:23] intend to move a motion. That Regional Counsel directs the Chief Administrative Officer

[6:55:27] to conduct a comprehensive review of the decision to establish the mayor's office as an independent

[6:55:33] to office following the one-year anniversary of the decision.

[6:55:38] Thank you. Any others? Any other norms today?

[6:55:43] Not seeing any? Is there a motion to adjourn?

[6:55:46] I think that was Councillor Young today.

[6:55:48] Thank you very much, colleagues. Have a wonderful evening.

Halifax Regional Council

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