DISTRICT 2 COUNCILLOR’S COMMUNIQUE NOVEMBER 2022 — ISSUE #300 — LEST WE FORGET

Each year, from November 5th – 11th, hundreds of commemorative ceremonies and events will take place across our country to commemorate Veterans’ Week. These will be opportunities for all Canadians to recognize the contribution our Veterans and Military personnel have made and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Canada. Please remember them at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in your own special way. Be sure to buy a Poppy and take a timeout to observe a two-minute moment of silence. We Shall Remember Them! Lest We Forget!

The Volunteer Conference is a celebration of the tremendous contributions of volunteers throughout our region. It gives residents an opportunity to participate in training, networking and learning that help them become more effective in their work and provide strong volunteer capacity in the municipality. 

This year marks the 22nd year of the annual Volunteer Conference hosted by HRM.

When: Friday, November 18th, 8:00AM – 4:30PM 

Where: Double Tree by Hilton, 101 Wyse Road, Dartmouth, by the Macdonald Bridge

Register online at  www.halifax.ca/myrec  (course registration barcode# 00058091 ) and there will be a $35 fee. For more information and to register:  www.halifax.ca/volunteerconference  or call the Registration Line at 902-490-6666.

Each year HRM recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Nominations are now being accepted in three categories: adult, youth (ages 13-19) and community group. Successful nominees will be notified in March 2023. An awards ceremony will coincide with National Volunteer Week (April 16th-22nd, 2023). The deadline for nominations for the 2023 awards is Friday, January 6th.

To find out more information about the awards, nomination criteria and to nominate someone in your community:  www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering/volunteer-awards , by fax: 902-490-4535, or by regular post: PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5.

Please note that a volunteer cannot have received this award in the last 5 years. To find out if nominees have received this award in the past, please contact Meaghan Dalton at:  Meaghan.dalton@halifax.ca  or by telephone: 902-456-9683.

HRM can help some local non-profit organizations reduce their property tax payments through the Tax Relief for Non-Profit Organizations Program. Applications must be filed by November 30th. There are various types of tax reduction programs from Commercial to Residential Tax Rate Conversion, or to tiered level tax rate with 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% tax exemption. More information about this tax relief program can be found at:  www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/tax-relief-non-profit-organizations. Application forms can be retrieved on-line at:  https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/business/grants/application-form-fillable_0.pdf

Applications with all relevant documentation should

be sent to HRM Grants Program: Non-Profit Tax

Relief c/o HRM Finance & Asset Management PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5. Or drop it off at the HRM Customer Service Centres in Musquodoboit Harbour and Alderney Landing in Dartmouth. For assistance, contact the HRM Grants & Contributions office at 902- 490-7191 or e-mail:  nonprofittax@halifax.ca

The NS Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) is seeking nominations for the 2022 NS Human Rights Awards. People and groups who are committed to advancing human rights in our Province can be nominated until November 9th. Nominees are being sought in the categories of youth, individual and group/organization. The 2022 NSHR Awards will be presented on the United Nations International Human Rights Day – December 10th. For more details and to submit a nomination, visit the NSHRC website:  https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/

There is a snow removal program available to seniors (65 years of age or older) and for persons with disabilities throughout all areas of HRM. You must reside in a single dwelling home that you own or rent. Its mandate is to provide a resource to clients for the removal of snow for safe access. The program offers assistance to clear snow from front steps and walkways, ramps and access to fuel tanks and/or firewood. The program does not apply to the clearing of driveways. The program is limited to those households with a combined total income not exceeding $32,000. The program is NOT available to landlords. To learn more about this program, please call 311 HRM Contact Centre or the YMCA at 902- 483-3678. Or visit these web-sites for further details:  www.halifax.ca/transportation/winter-operations/senior-snow-removal  and/or  www.ymcahfx.ca/ymca-programs/ymca-senior-snow-removal/  

The registration deadline is December 1st or sooner depending upon the demand. All previous year’s clients will be called directly to ensure their renewal in the program. Be advised that this is a first come first served process, once we meet our maximum capacity, the program will be closed, and new applicants will be placed on a waitlist. All applicants placed on the waitlist will be contacted if a space opens up for them in the program. It is important to note that only applications with proper documentation will be considered for the program.

Completed applications may be faxed to 902-423- 8530 or e-mailed to:  ssr@halifax.ymca.ca  or can be mailed or dropped off in person to: YMCA Senior Snow Removal, Community YMCA, 2269 Gottingen Street Halifax, NS B3K 3B7. Download application forms at:  http://ymcahfx.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/SRP-Details-and-Application-Form-2022-2023-2.pdf  Please apply now before the snowfall.

Back on June 23rd, 2020, HRM Council unanimously adopted HalifACT – a transformational plan to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint economy by 2050. HalifACT is a commitment to reducing emissions, switching to clean and reliable energy sources, and demonstrating leadership from local government. Here is the link to those reports:  https://www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/200623rc916.pdf

It’s HRM response to the climate crisis that will build

a more resilient and healthy future in Atlantic Canada while preparing for current and future climate impacts. Recently HalifACT was recognized and awarded as Canada’s Clean50 Top Project amongst organizations recognized as the best sustainability-oriented projects completed in Canada over the prior two years. With this commitment in mind, the 2022/23 municipal capital budget plan has $10 Million in approved spending toward the HalifACT Climate Action Plan for this fiscal year and $109 Million approved in principle for fiscal years 2023/24 and 2025/26.

This information will help explain why it appears as a dedicated rate on a portion of your property tax bill. You can view a breakdown of how these dollars will be invested in 2022/23:  https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/energy-environment/halifact-2050-acting-climate-together