TOURISM MASTERPLAN CONSULTATIONS

Discover Halifax (DH) plans to update the Halifax Regional Integrated Tourism Master Plan (ITMP 2030). Their staff and the Uplands consultant team have been actively engaging with tourism industry associations, groups, and conducting interviews with tourism professionals. To ensure the ITMP 2030 reflects community goals, DH is also gathering feedback through various public engagement tools. These include an online survey, (https://speakupland.ca/halifax-itmp ) interactive map for sharing comments, and story wall where residents can contribute their vision for tourism in HRM. DH is inviting you to join them at an upcoming engagement session to help shape the future of tourism in our community. The schedule for some of the local Rural HRM regional engagement is listed below, and you can pre-register your attendance at the same link listed above. The three sessions below are drop-in style format, with a set presentation at 6 PM.

- Musquodoboit Valley Area:

Tuesday, March 4th from 4-8 PM at the Musquodoboit Valley Bicentennial Theatre

- Eastern Shore East (Sheet Harbour):

Wednesday, March 5th 4-8 PM at the Watt Section Royal Canadian Legion #58

- Eastern Shore West (Musquodoboit Harbour):

Thursday, March 6th from 4-8 PM at Old School Community Gathering Place

LOCAL CHB WORK PLANS

Community Health Boards (CHBs) across the province have asked what communities need to promote better health and well-being for everyone. They reviewed what was heard to set their priorities for the next five years. Nova Scotia Health’s 35 volunteer Community Health Boards (CHBs) (https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/ ) have developed of a new 2025 to 2029 Community Health Plan. ( https://www.communityhealthboards.ns.ca/community-health-plans-intro ). The most essential phase of developing the Community Health Plan is citizen engagement around the social and economic determinants of health. CHBs take a population health approach to listening to Nova Scotians about what can help us all to remain healthy in our communities. 

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. The program provides annual cash grants to registered non-profit organizations and charities located throughout the region. There are two grants available – a project grant of up to $5,000 or a capital grant of up to $25,000.

The program has seven funding categories, which include the following: community arts; diversity and accessibility; environment and climate change; emergency assistance and neighbourhood safety; community histories; leisure; and recreation. Applicants must indicate the category which best matches the funding category. Applicants should review the 2025/26 Program Guidebook prior to applying, and first-time applicants are encouraged to contact municipal staff prior to submitting an application. The application deadline is March 31st. 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. For more details: www.halifax.ca/community-grants

PROFESSIONAL ARTS GRANTS PROGRAM

HRM is now accepting applications for the 2025/26 Grants to Professional Arts Organizations Program. This program supports the operating and artistic capacity of producing and presenting art organizations in the region that advance the profile of the local arts sector, with an overarching goal to foster broad public access to public art. There are two funding streams: operating assistance and project assistance. The municipality provides up to three-year funding agreements towards the operating funds of eligible groups and annual funding agreements supporting distinct artistic projects. For more information about the program or to discuss your project or eligibility, groups are invited to book a virtual meeting, contact Lindsay Cory, Community Developer (Public Arts), at lindsay.cory@halifax.ca To learn more and apply, visit our website. ( https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/arts-culture-heritage/opportunities-artists-art-organizations  ) The deadline for the applications is Monday, March 31st.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS MARCH 9

It’s time to “Spring Forward”. Be sure to set your clocks ahead one (1) hour on Sunday, March 9th. 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 10

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 10th) 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 15th. 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.

OFFSHORE WIND ASSESSMENT

The Federal Government has filed its final report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia. It can be found on their Registry at: https://www.iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/160595

If you have any questions or seek more information, please contact:

Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 200-1801 Hollis Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N4 

Telephone: 902-237-0913 - Email: OffshoreWindNS-EolienneExtracotiereNE@iaac-aeic.gc.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”.