National Volunteer Week (NVW) pays tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers who donate their time and energy. This year, NVW is from April 18th–24th and the theme is: “The Value of One, The Power of Many”. To help say ‘thank you’ to volunteers, Volunteer Canada has developed programs to access resources and products that can be attained through their web-site:   https://volunteer.ca/   or by Twitter at #NVW2021 or on their Facebook page: @VolunteerCanada . There is plenty of information and ideas on how to foster more volunteerism in our communities. In our own area be sure to contact “Volunteer Halifax” at  http://volunteerhalifax.ca/   that links people with local non-profit community organizations, supporting persons with disabilities, new Canadians, corporations and professionals to connect to organizations in and around the municipality, helping individuals develop skills to advance their careers, and developing knowledge resources that support effective and efficient volunteer capacity. Connect with them through e-mail at  info@volunteerhalifax.ca  . Each year the Mayor and HRM Council recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Our local community hall associations are in desperate need for more volunteers. Due to a publication ban, this year’s list of HRM Volunteers is embargoed until mid-April, so a complete list of those honourees from our district will be in my May 2021 newsletter and will to be posted online at  www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices/   

Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services (HRF&ES) is constantly recruiting volunteer firefighters for the various communities in our district area.

For more details, please call HRM Volunteer Firefighters Recruitment at 902-490-5611.

• Lawrencetown ( Stations 19 & 20 )

• Lake Echo / North Preston ( Stations 21 & 22 )

• Chezzetcook ( Station 23 )

• Musquodoboit Harbour ( Station 24 )

• Ostrea Lake ( Station 25 )

• Oyster Pond ( Station 26 )

• Sheet Harbour ( Station 28 )

• Moser River ( Station 29 )

• Tangier / East Ship Harbour ( Stations 30 & 31 )

• Three Harbours / Port Dufferin ( Station 33 )

• Mushaboom ( Station 34 )

More information about HRF&ES Volunteer Firefighter recruitment, please refer to link:  https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/employment/work-halifax-regional-fire-emergency/volunteer-firefighter-recruitment     

It has been just over 50 years since April 22nd was declared as Earth Day. Back in 1970, it mobilized millions of citizens to lobby for the protection of the planet. The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event. Now this movement is asking people to join its “Great Global Clean Up” by organizing a local clean-up campaign.  https://cleanup.earthday.org/  . Sign up and spotlight your local clean-up events by tagging it on social media with: @EarthDayNetwork and use the hashtag: #GreatGlobalCleanup. Let’s show them how beautiful our communities really are!

HRM’s Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP) provides a vision for tourism throughout the Regional Municipality. Leading destinations are founded on a clear picture of where they are going and what needs to happen to achieve this. This plan represents how we will all get there, together. Learn more at:  https://discoverhalifaxdmo.com/integrated-tourism-master-plan/   . And here’s a 90 minute YouTube presentation of the ITMP  https://youtu.be/kEqg-k9KhCE  . To learn more about Halifax’s ITMP, opportunities to collaborate, or how to become a member of Discover Halifax for no cost, please contact them at:  team@discoverhalifaxns.com   

The Community Museums Grant Program supports the operations of local museums in HRM. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance for core museum operations and build the organizational capacity of eligible community museums. This program acknowledges the role of volunteers, registered charities and non-profit organizations in the preservation and presentation of the region’s social development. The program also promotes adoption of standards of practice for museums. Amendments to the HRM Community Museums Grants Program were approved to extend the duration of the program; increase the maximum Operating Grant thresholds; add museum thematic events to the Project Grant award category and remove references to “accreditation” to avoid confusion with the Provincial Museum Accreditation Program.

The Operating Grant is available in three Tier levels:

• Tier I: up to a maximum of $25,000/year

• Tier II: up to a maximum of $10,000/year

• Tier III: a developmental award of up to $5,000

And the revised Project Grant has three sub[1]categories:

1. Regular Project Grant up to $5,000;

2. Special Project Grant up to $20,000 or up to $10,000 towards hosting an anniversary event;

3. Capital Grant up to $25,000.

HRM mails out its tax bills to all property owners twice a year. The Interim bill was mailed mid-March and is due on Friday, April 30th. The final bill will be due October 31st. If you have any inquiries about your tax bill, please call the Halifax Contact Centre at 311 or submit your questions on-line at:  www.halifax.ca/taxes/index.php   

HRM Council has requested a staff report requesting an addendum to Schedule 1 of HRM Bylaw A-600 Respecting Advertising on Provincial Highways for the inclusion of a section of Highway 7 within the Eastern Shore—West Municipal Planning Strategy area. This request is to assist the Musquodoboit Harbour & Area Chamber of Commerce (MHACCCA) with its streetscape beautification project by having the authorization to remove, clean up old advertising signs, and to regulate into the future the clutter of roadside signs in the identified area from Hwy 107 terminus to the Musquodoboit River bridge. HRM staff made a presentation at the MHACCA Online Town Hall Zoom meeting on Feb.17th. HRM presentation is available on their website:  www.mhacc.ca  . HRM wants to hear your feedback about the possibility of expanding an advertising signage program along Highway 7. The program would involve developing a standardized series of signs for area businesses and other groups; and would also limit the installation of non-standard signs within the highway right of way. To learn more and share your thoughts about this initiative, go to:  www.halifax.ca/surveys  . Deadline for input will be April 30th. Please share your thoughts!

This spring, the NS Adopt A Highway (AAH) program will be kicking off its 2021 cleanup season with the Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me Up: The province’s largest litter reduction initiative. Registration opens on April 1st at  www.nspickmeup.ca   or by calling 1-902-843-3553 or on-line via e-mail  info@nsadoptahighway.ca  . AAH will provide groups with everything needed to run a successful litter clean-up event including supplies, information on how to coordinate your event and a data card to track results. Be sure to post ‘before & after’ photos of your pick-me-up locations and post to social media using the hashtag #GladToCleanUp. For more details  www.nsadoptahighway.ca