HRM REGIONAL PLAN REVIEW INPUT

HRM invites you to share feedback on the latest Regional Plan (RP) Review. Help decide how our municipality will grow by sharing your input. The RP sets out a common vision, principles and long-range, region-wide planning policies outlining where, when, and how future growth and development should take place between now and 2031. There are 11 Themes & Directions that you can review and provide feedback on. Each Theme introduces an overall topic area and is accompanied by several Directions that outline the work to be done through the RP Review. This includes topics such as affordable housing, social planning with development, identification of wilderness areas, impact of COVID-19 pandemic, population growth and more.

The feedback HRM staff receive will help them understand what residents think is important and will direct future work. The general public is invited to submit comments by July 16th. Visit the RP project website:  www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/regional-plan/  to learn more about the RP, review the key ideas of the Themes and Directions, take the survey:  www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/regional-plan/survey_tools/regional-plan-review  or attend a Live Virtual Question & Answer (Q&A) session with the RP Review team. 

If you are unable to attend

the webinars, they will be recorded and posted under

the Videos sidebar on this page. Citizens can also submit questions via email or by phone during this public engagement period until July 16th. Call and leave a message at 902-233-2501 or at:  regionalplan@halifax.ca  

ANTI-BLACK RACISM STRATEGY

On June 8/21, HRM Council approved its Framework

for Anti-Black Racism (ABR) Strategy and Action Plan Development. Renewed interest around issues such as Black Lives Matter, conversation around anti-Black racism and anti-Indigenous racism, and efforts to address racial injustices have been unprecedented. An internal HRM Working Group – ABR Steering Committee was formed to develop an action plan and framework that provides foundational information to support the efforts of the municipality in addressing racism.

The committee agreed that an Afrocentric, culturally responsive approach that is inwardly reflective and accountable, and outwardly restorative and affirming of the agency, dignity and humanity of people of African descent, is essential for the success of the efforts of the HRM in addressing anti-Black racism. HRM is at a pivotal point in demonstrating its commitment to addressing ABR in connection to its service delivery, and this is one opportunity that, if properly implemented, can have significant historic ramifications.

Here are the links to the HRM ABR Strategy & Action Plan:

ABR Presentation:

www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/210608rc11110pres.pdf

ABR Council Report:

www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/210608rc11110.pdf

For more information, please contact HRM Office of Diversity & Inclusion Director, Tracey Jones-Grant:  jonestr@halifax.ca  or 902-490-3677 or Senior Advisor, Ayo Aladejebi at:  aladeja@halifax.ca  or 902-490-3326.

SUPERVISED SWIMMING BEACHES

HRM will be providing water quality monitoring at its supervised beaches at various locations throughout the municipality for July & August. There will be qualified life-guards on duty at these local lake locations:

Orenda Beach – Lake Echo;

Kinap Beach – West Porters Lake;

Petpeswick Lake Beach – Park on Pleasant Drive – Gaetz Brook;

Webber’s Beach – Lake Charlotte; 

and maybe Malay Falls – Sheet Harbour

For up-to-date information on hours of supervision and latest water quality results, go to:  www.halifax.ca/recreation/programs-activities/swimming/supervised-beaches-outdoor-pools-splash-pads

Be advised that Government Wharf Park in West Petpeswick/Musquodoboit Harbour is no longer supervised, but its water testing will continue.

SWIMMING POOLS & FENCING LAWS

Residents with an above-ground or in-ground swimming pool are required to obtain a permit. To obtain these permits, details of pool location, fencing and security must be identified as specified in HRM By-law S-700:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/legislation-by-laws/By-lawS-700.pdf

This applies to all swimming pools with a diameter of 11 feet or more and a depth of 2 feet or more. And they should be completely enclosed with a 5 foot high fence. For more information, please go to:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/home-property/building-renovating/PoolsSummer2018.pdf

PORTERS LAKE SHORELINE SURVEY

Re-imagining Atlantic Harbours 2050 (RAH2050) is partnering with Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to assess the shoreline health of Porters Lake through the Love Your Lake (LYL) program. This is a non-government, non-regulatory, voluntary program that looks at the lake as an ecosystem and takes a snapshot of shoreline health. RAH2050 is asking anyone who owns or operates boats on Porters Lake to participate in a community-wide survey at:  www.loveyourlake.ca/survey/  

They will be hand-delivering surveys and information to all shoreline property owners, and are also asking for volunteers to help them to transport summer staff around the lake to assist them on the water for assessment days. After every shoreline property on a lake is assessed from a boat, each shoreline property owner will receive access to an individualized report with information on the state of their shoreline and suggested voluntary actions for shoreline improvement. These simple suggested actions will help protect and enhance shoreline and lake health for people and wildlife. For more information, visit  www.LoveYourLake.ca  or contact Kelly Schnare, RAH2050 Programs Director:  kelly@rah2050.ca  or call: 902-401-6204

DOWNSIZING? DONATIONS ACCEPTED

Are you remodeling, cleaning out, downsizing or just getting organized? Please consider donating your excess household goods and building materials to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 81 Wright Avenue, Burnside Industrial Park in Dartmouth.

This is a building supply and home renovation store

that accepts and resells new and gently-used building materials and home décor items. Proceeds from The ReStore help fund Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia.

Call to schedule a donation pick-up at 902-403-1381, or check out their website at:  www.habitatns.ca

Please do not clutter up the various charitable donation boxes that are intended for accepting used clothing.

And when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions relax some more, then the Parker Street Furniture Bank will resume taking household donations. They accept most gently used items except for major appliances. To donate, call them at 902-425-2125 Ext 212 or check out their website:  www.parkerstreet.org

INPUT ON CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN

The NS Department of Environment & Climate Change has launched a 60-day public engagement on creating goals under the Sustainable Development Goals Act and a new Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth. The engagement period runs until July 26th. The Provincial Government wants to hear from as many Nova Scotians as possible for their ideas and visions. Preparing our communities for the impacts of climate change while creating a cleaner and more inclusive economy is essential. They have partnered with the Clean Foundation to help coordinate the engagement process.

There are numerous ways to engage, including public Zoom sessions, a do-it-yourself kit for groups and communities to facilitate their own discussions, as well as email, mail, and phone submissions.

More details are available at  www.CleanFuture.ca