DISTRICT 2 COUNCILLOR’S COMMUNIQUE MARCH 2024 — ISSUE #316 — HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY
MUNICIPAL BUDGET 2024/25
HRM 2024/25 Budget and Business Planning process has begun and will continue until into the spring of 2024. Over the winter, municipal business units present plans to Regional Council with their intentions for the upcoming fiscal year and outlining the required budgets to achieve their goals. During this process, Regional Council will ask questions, discuss, debate, and consider each department’s proposed priorities and budget. This can result in revisions to budget plans along the way. During every budget meeting, members of the public have an opportunity to share their views on any aspect of the proposed municipal budget. If you wish to make a presentation before Regional Council about the municipal budget, then please contact the Municipal Clerks Office at clerks@halifax.ca or call 902-490-4210 to sign up to speak virtually or in person. Written submissions are also welcomed. To find more information and for details about the budget, visit: www.halifax.ca/budget
HRM COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM
The HRM Community Grants Program provides aid to registered non-profit organizations and charities throughout the municipality to help with their endeavours. There are two types of grants:
- Project Grants up to $5,000
- Capital Grants up to $25,000
The program provides assistance to specific types of projects in the following categories:
- Arts & Crafts
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Environment
- Emergency Assistance & Safety
- History
- Housing
- Leisure
- Recreation
The application deadline is April 1. More information can be found at: www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/community-grants HRM Grants Guidebook & Applications can be obtained from a HRM Service Centre or by emailing nonprofitgrants@Halifax.ca or calling 902-490-7310.
COMMUNITY GARDEN GRANTS
To start a community garden, applicants must be a non-profit group and submit an application before the March 30 deadline. Program details can also be found at: https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails-gardens/gardens/community-gardens Applicants can learn more about Community Gardens by reviewing the handbook guide: https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/about-the-city/volunteering/cc_p_r_2024communitygardenhandbook_fillable_2.pdf
Applications can be sent to Jasmine Du, Community Developer at 902-471-3417 or by emailing jasmine.du@halifax.ca.
DOG LICENSES: NEW or RENEWAL
HRM requires all pet owners to license their dogs annually by April 1. The licensing year runs from April 1 to March 31. Pet owners are required to apply for a license within 10 days of obtaining a dog. Amendments were made to By-Law A-700 regarding dog licensing. Dogs aged six months or younger, or dogs already licensed in another jurisdiction are no longer required to be licensed in HRM. We also offer a “Lifetime License” that also requires your pet to have a micro-chip for easy identification purposes. There are discounted license prices for seniors, as well for any dog that has been spayed or neutered. There is no fee for Special Aid Personal Assistance Service Dogs. But there are rates for any dog that is deemed to be registered as ‘Dangerous”.
| License Type | One Year | Lifetime | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Senior | Standard | Senior | |
| Unaltered | $50 | $25 | $200 | $100 |
| Spayed Neutered | $15 | $7.50 | $75 | $37.50 |
| Service Dog | No Charge/Fee | |||
| Dangerous Dog | $100 | $300 | ||
| Tag Replacement | $5 |
You can license your dog or have its license renewed either in person at any HRM Customer Service Centre or at any select /veterinary clinics (29 locations across HRM), or by mailing a completed licensing form with the correct payment to: HRM Dog Licensing, PO Box 1749, Halifax NS B3J 3A5 or for license renewals only with a credit card by calling the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or 1-800-835-6428 (NS toll-free). Pet owners found to be in violation of HRM By-Law A-700 licensing regulations may be issued a warning notice or be issued a Summary Offense Ticket of $237.50 or greater; and/or could have their dog seized by Animal Services and face further prosecution in court. For more information: www.halifax.ca/home-property/animal-services/getting-a-dog-licence
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS MARCH 10
It’s time to “Spring Forward”. Be sure to set your clocks ahead one (1) hour on Sunday, March 10. And please check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. For more information on this, visit: www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/fire-prevention-safety/smoke-alarms
COMMONWEALTH DAY IS MARCH 11
This day is celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world. Once known as Empire Day, it is envisioned as a celebration of the cultural exchange and shared values of former Empire states. Commonwealth Day (Monday, March 11) is aimed to celebrate the unity, diversity and links of the modern Commonwealth of Nations and to foster an understanding of its achievements and role. For more information, visit: https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day
OPEN-AIR BURNING: MARCH 15
Normally open-air burning season begins on March 15. There is an online fire index that ensures everyone knows the risks of wildfire in all areas of the province each day: www.novascotia.ca/burnsafe/ . The map will show green, red, or yellow in each county to let us know if it is safe to burn, unsafe to burn, or safe with restrictions. The map and recorded phone message will be updated daily. Call Burn Safe toll-free 1-855-564-2876. These changes affect brush burning on domestic properties, such as rural residential lots, woodlots, fishing camps and cottage lots. However, commercial or industrial brush burning still requires a permit from a DNR&R office. Be sure to follow all instructions, rules of conduct and be respectful of your neighbours when you want to burn. Please be careful when burning.
CAMP COURAGE FOR GIRLS
Camp Courage is a program to introduce young women and gender-diverse youth aged 15-18 to careers as first responders, primarily paramedics, police officers, and firefighters. The goal is that the youth will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire. The deadline to apply for Halifax’s Camp Courage is Friday, March 15, and applications are now open. For more information, please visit: www.campcourage.ca
LOCAL CHB WELLNESS FUNDS
Community Health Board’s (CHB) Wellness Funds are for non-profit groups working to improve health in their communities and must address the health priorities identified by the local CHBs in their current plans. You can learn more by visiting: www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/chb-health-plans .
Wellness Funds support a proactive, healthbased approach to wellness. This model seeks to maintain and improve the health of people and the communities in which they live through partnerships, and by addressing those aspects of a person’s life that determine their health. Applications open on Monday, March 4 and close on Monday, May 6. Learn more at: www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/wellness-fund
ORDER OF NOVA SCOTIA NOMINEES
The nomination deadline for the Order of Nova Scotia (ONS) is Friday, March 15. The ONS recognizes Nova Scotians for outstanding contributions to their communities. Nova Scotians are encouraged to nominate or re-nominate someone they feel has made a significant contribution. Nomination forms are available at Access Nova Scotia Centres throughout the province. For more information, please contact the NS Protocol Office by phone at 902-424-2467, fax 902-424-4309 or by email at orderofnovascotia@gov.ns.ca For all details and related information, please visit the ONS website by visiting: https://novascotia.ca/iga/order.asp .
JOINT REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
The Provincial Government has created the Joint Regional Transportation Authority (JRTA) to address transportation issues associated with rapid growth in the Halifax region and surrounding communities. Through their Regional Transportation Plan, they aim to establish a long-term, coordinated vision for a regional transportation system that makes sustainable growth and development possible. You can find more information at www.jrta.ca . If you have any questions, please contact them via email at: info@jrta.ca
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