VETERANS’ WEEK OBSERVATIONS

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. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public may be asked not to attend any local Remembrance Day ceremonies. Instead make your own private observations for Veterans’ Week. Please remember them at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month in your own special way. Take time out and observe a two-minute moment of silence. We Shall Remember Them! Lest We Forget! Please wear a poppy.

21ST HRM VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE

The Volunteer Conference is a celebration of the tremendous contributions of volunteers in our region. It gives residents an opportunity to participate in training, networking and learning to help them become more effective in their work and provide strong volunteer capacity in the municipality. This year marks the 21st year of the annual Volunteer Conference hosted by HRM and it will be a ‘live’ event with some COVID-19 prevention protocols such as proof of double vaccinations, social distancing, and mask wearing.

• When: Friday, November 19th, 8:30AM – 4:30PM

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

• Registration: Register online 48 hours prior to each workshop at  www.halifax.ca/myrec  (course registration barcode #: 00046392) and there will be a $30 fee to register. For info and to register, visit:  www.halifax.ca/volunteerconference  or contact Darren Hirtle at  hirtled@halifax.ca  or call him at 902-490-4865 or 902-476-1184

2022 VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINEES

Each year HRM recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills 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 2022. An awards ceremony will coincide with National Volunteer Week (April 25th-29th). The deadline for nominations for the 2022 awards is December 15th, To find out more information about the awards, nomination criteria and to nominate someone in your community, go to:  www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering/volunteer-awards  or by fax: 902-490-4535 or by regular post: PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS B3J 3A5. Or contact Meaghan Dalton at:  Meaghan.dalton@halifax.ca  or by telephone: 902-456-9683

TAX EXEMPTION FOR LOCAL GROUPS

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 two-tiered level tax rates with 25%, 50%. 75% or 100% tax exemption. For more information about this tax relief program, visit:  www.halifax.ca/business/doing-business-halifax/tax-relief-non-profit-organizations

Application forms can be retrieved on-line at:  www.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/business/grants/Application%20Form.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

2021-22 GSAR OPERATING GRANTS

There are four Volunteer Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) teams in HRM that provide assistance to all three levels of government in the event of a missing person search, an evacuation, natural or man-made disaster, or evidence search. HRM Operating Grants are based on

an average of three years of core recurring operating expenses and exclude search call-out claims that are reimbursed by the agent of jurisdiction. Here are the 2021-22 Operating Grant awards:

• Halifax Regional GSAR – $67,330

• Eastern Shore GSAR – $24,575

• Sheet Harbour & Area GSAR – $26,922

• Musquodoboit Valley GSAR – $16,300

• Plus a Capital Grant of $6,173 to the Halifax Regional GSAR for the replacement and extension of their heating system in their facility.

BUS 401 ROUTE CHANGES – NOVEMBER 22nd

Starting on Monday, November 22nd, there will be some changes coming to Halifax Transit Bus Route 401 and its schedule that serves the Porters Lake, Lake Echo, East Preston and Westphal areas.

Due to low ridership, this bus route will no longer serve the communities of West Chezzetcook, Grand Desert and Seaforth. Instead, Bus Route 401 will service the Lakeview Shopping Centre and then will go up to and connect with Rural Express Bus Route 370 at the Porters Lake Park & Ride Terminal on Inspiration Way by Hwy 107, Exit 20.

This provides commuters with the option of free parking and then riding the bus. These adjustments will allow for new weekend service and more frequent weekday trips. For more info, visit:  www.halifax.ca/transportation/halifax-transit/service-adjustments#Route401.

HFXALERT: EMERGENCY ADVISORIES

HfxALERT is a mass notification system that HRM utilizes to provide timely alerts with important urgent and non-urgent information. It will strictly issue municipal notifications. These alerts may be urgent, such as evacuations, or non-urgent, such as overnight winter parking bans. The notifications will be sent via e-mail, automated phone call and/or text message. Residents need to sign up to receive these alerts:  https://member.everbridge.net/453003085617760/login  or get the mobile app at:  https://www.everbridge.com/products/mobile-apps/download/Notifications  will be sent by Halifax Regional Police, the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency’s Emergency Management Division and HRM Corporate Communications. 

For more details, go to:  www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/hfxalert

NS HUMAN RIGHTS NOMINATIONS.

The NS Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) is seeking nominations for the 2021 NS Human Rights Awards. People and groups who are committed to advancing human rights in our Province can be nominated until November 10th. Nominees are being sought in the categories of youth, individual and group/organization. The 2021 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 web-site:  https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/

WHERE ARE THE ILLEGAL DUMPS?

HRM is not responsible for removing illegally dumped material from private property. Any impacted property owner can place the dumped material roadside for collection on their regular garbage day or make their own arrangements for the material to be removed from their property.

With the new HRM Solid Waste regulations about illegal dumping with the “reverse onus” clause now

in effect, the Municipality will be embarking upon an educational and enforcement program about waste diversion and alternative disposal methods. For example, small quantities of Construction & Demolition (C&D) materials can be placed by the roadside as part of the regular residential collection. Furthermore, HRM is seeking specific location information of various illegal dump sites that plague our communities throughout the region. Please send me an e-mail with photos and precise information such as the closest civic address or GPS Coordinates.

HRM is even looking at social media websites and apps such as  www.litterati.org  to map out and create an inventory of dumpsites. From this collected data, HRM will work with the Province to formulate a clean-up strategy. 

For more information; go to:  www.halifax.ca/home-property/garbage-recycling-green-cart/illegal-dumping