Since the early winter of 2020, COVID has been the dominant factor of our lives. And now with the emergence of the Omicron variant, it appears that it will be more pervasive than ever. In the process of dealing with COVID, we have learned to work from home, tried to adapt to this new, and for the most part unexpected addition to our lives and try to maintain our equilibrium. Some of the experience has been good, some bad, and most of it is still evolving. Probably the most important facet of the pandemic has been degree to which the anti-science, anti-vax crowd have been able to dominate the dialogue. This points out out how devastatingly effective and overwhelming social media can be at undermining science and swaying public opinion towards conspiracies, sensationalism, and false narratives. But it's one thing to have Facebook, Twitter et al slay science understanding and acumen, it is entirely another to have traditional media, newspapers, radio and TV join in. Traditional media's supposed to be the bastion of rational thought and reporting, but most of its reporting on the sciences can be dismissed, especially when it comes to providing the public with accurate science information. The most disheartening aspects of the many reports about COVID I have read, seen and heard, has been is how the reporters fail to give their public a sense of how our powerful medical science adapts to changes that are occurring with the pandemic. Instead we are fed reports laced with innuendo about how medical science is 'changing its mind' and can't properly predict the path of the 'COVID storm', or how there is a vast reticence to get vaccinated, or how 'fatigued' we are with the pandemic. It is a resounding failure in properly addressing the science behind the pandemic, dismissing the polarizing nonsense proliferated by the conspiracists, and understanding the nature of what medical science is and how it is the only path forward. The tragedy is that we all pay for this. With increased, and unjustified intimation that long established medical science is ineffective, and supplanting it with stories laced with incorrect and simplistic memes, we undermine science, and put ourselves in harm's way not only from the effects of the disease itself, but in more subtle and ultimately dangerous ways.
The process of science, called scientific method, is a surprisingly simple, yet incredibly powerful method, that was paradoxically only completely discovered and implemented only once in human history - during the Italian Renaissance. There were glimmers of nascent scientific method in other eras, but none were complete and none established scientific method the way it was during the Renaissance. During the last 500 years, beginning with the likes of daVinci, Galileo, Newton, Copernicus, Bruno, Leibnitz, et al, the groundwork was laid, and scientific method was applied to mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, psychology, sociology, and even philosophy. The darkness of superstition, myth, magic and belief were momentarily relegated to dustbin of history, as the long march out of ignorance brought us understanding, health, technology, and a standard of living that can only be described as miraculous.
But power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The bounty that science had brought us, didn't really change our predilection for mystery and superstition. The incredible achievements of science hadn't really ended belief and superstition, just banished them temporarily. And as our technology progressed, and given us, what can only be termed as 'godlike' command over our environment and destiny, the opportunists of our society saw an opening. The wheels of control of the sciences have over the past 100 years, at first slowly, then with increasing speed, slipped into the hands those who see monetary gain and power through the use of the very tools that science has brought us, by undermining those very tools and their creators.
COVID, the Climate Crisis, Nuclear Devastation, Environmental Collapse are just a few of crises that we face in the coming years and decades, and any one of these spectres has the power to end the era of progress we have become accustomed to and take for granted. Today the disconnect between the sciences and the understanding of the sciences by the public has become a chasm. The unthinkable has happened. Vast numbers of the public disavow modern medicine in favour of quackery like homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture and spirituality. Anti-vaxxers rule the social media conversations over the internet, infecting millions with their absurd claims. Professional climate deniers delay and even halt any progress in mitigating the effects of the climate crisis through patently false narratives, repeated over and over again in almost every medium, including the tradition bastions of rational thought, our newspapers. The very people we have relied upon for the communication of the sciences, our journalists, have become science illiterate, seeking only sensationalism and polarized opinion to attract a share of the audience, not understanding the deeper role that they have in society. And because of this abrogation of responsibility, scientists and researchers have become the targets of vitriol and derision, and even death threats.
The powers that be within the formal news organizations - anchors, producers, and reporters - responsible for the dissemination of science news and important science issues have relegated the sciences to the backwaters of human importance, superseded by sports, finance, celebrity, entertainment and crime. It is no surprise that science understanding has faded from public knowledge, when that vested interests and anti-science memes find their way into almost every significant science story. Small wonder that politicians delay science implementation, when there is so little support for the understanding of the sciences in the public.
For 2022 it is my intent to re-begin the process begun by the Renaissance some half a millennium ago. Join me.
My Achievements as HRM Councillor District 12 (2016-2020)
I was elected HRM Councillor, in November of 2016, to represent the 27,000+ residents of district 12. It was a four year term, with the next election slated for 2024. District 12 is made of Timberlea, Lakeside, Beechville, Clayton Park (including Bayer's Lake), and Wedgewood. It is a large and diverse community, multi-cultural, with a mix of old and new. And it is also one of the fastest growing districts in HRM. The map at the bottom of this page shows District 12, a large "V" shaped urban development. The "left arm" is comprised of "BLT" (Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea) and the "right arm" Clayton Park and Wedgewood. In the middle, the apex of the "V", is the Bayer's Lake, the largest commercial shopping district in HRM. In the middle of the map you will find, the BMBC (Blue Mountain, Birch Cove) wilderness reserve, a pristine and amazing wilderness area of lakes and woods, being set aside by HRM for future generations of cherish and enjoy.
1. The Beechville Development Staff Report, addressing the concerns and inequities of the Beechville Black Community. 2. After a decade of languishing, I put forth a series of staff reports and initiatives, as well as land purchases, to make the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes a reality, so that the park cannot be developed and lost. 3. A motion for the creation of a BMBC Lakes community consultation committee to oversee with staff the creation and management of the BMBC Lakes park. 4. The Climate Emergency Declaration and subsequent HaliFact2050 report outlining how HRM will be net zero CO2 by 2050, conforming to the 2018 IPCC report. 5. Creating the BLT Comm Centre Consultation Committee to liaise with the public and staff on the creation of the BLTCC. 6. After a decade of languishing and broken promises, putting together the funding for the new BLT community centre, and making it a reality, with the provincial and federal partnerships. 7. Declaring a Day of Peace, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombings. 8. Organizing the Science March in March in April 2017. 9. Motion that all Council decisions be evidenced based decisions. 10. Capital Funding for the many community groups, such as Beechville Black Community, The Lakeside Legion, BLT Community Group, Dal Legal Aid, Marguerite House, a myriad of environmental and ecological groups, trail groups, and more.... 11. Request for a staff report on the hydrogen economy and how it may put us on the path to self sufficiency and sustainability in the next 4 years. 12. All the committees and community meeting groups I have been part of these past 4 years. 13. Only missed a couple of Regional Council meetings, and committee meetings in 4 years. 14. Have yet to take a vacation......maybe not this one so much. 15. I answer my phone, and my emails (not form letters) personally, every day.
Re-Election 2020 - Update
October 2020
Thank you to all those who worked so hard for me in my re-election bid, who voted for and supported me. We unfortunately fell short. It was an amazing four year run and during that time so much of the municipal stage was set up for much needed changes, with emphasis on the climate crisis, social justice, and evidence based decision making. We face some very onerous and trying times in the coming years, not the least of which is adjusting to the new realities of the COVID crisis. We must not lose the progress that we have made. We must continue to view our challenges through a scientific lens and demand that our elected officials do the same. Again thank you all.
My Views on Cannabis in HRM
I have made it clear that I am against Council's decision to institute the new cannabis smoking bi-laws in HRM. They are in my opinion unenforceable. We will, as a result, spend money to hire more staff to attempt to enforce a law that cannot be enforced. They will also continue to demonize cannabis and be prejudicial against many in our communities. They also pave the way for potential abuses by those who would use them as tools for aggravation. We will, in my opinion, work against the intent of cannabis legalization and continue to demonize those who would use cannabis.
The Environmental Lens
Last Council I brought forth a request for a staff report on strengthening the way we produce staff reports regarding the environment and ecology. I am pleased to say the motion passed. The intent of the motion was to make environmental and ecological concerns a principle lens through which staff reports will be considered and presented. Climate change is critical and we have very little time to act. This "lens" will help us make better decisions and more environmentally friendly decision in HRM.
Some Past News
Summer 2018 District 12 Newsletter District 12 Councillor District 12 Coordinator
I am so happy and proud to be the HRM Councillor District 12. It is full of challenges, but also one of incredible rewards. It is my hope that this newsletter can bring you up to date on many of the issues that I have been working on, on your behalf. And, typically, it has been a busy start to the new year. Beginning in January, budget meetings kept Council and staff occupied. The goal was to keep municipal tax increases under 2%. It was a tough, but in the final tallying, Council was able to approve an increase of 1.97%. Given the fact that demands on the municipality are continually growing, along with provincial off loading of services in education, transportation subsidies, affordable housing, poverty issues, it is a daunting task. With an inflation rate at current levels, around 2%, just maintaining our existing services, while inflation keeps eroding our ability to pay for these services, is an onerous challenge.
In general, we passed a healthy budget and continued to stay within our means to finance the operation of HRM and its existing services, while providing support to a variety of requests. But we have challenges on the horizon. The new convention centre is one. Its delayed completion, budget issues, and low tenancy are all disconcerting. We cannot amend the agreement that HRM has made with the other stakeholders, but we can make sure that we do not add to the financial burden, by learning from this experience and not repeating it. There are a number of ways to reach me. My office is at City Hall and most days I am there taking meetings, sitting on committees, council and working with staff. You can call me, email me, set up a appointment to talk with me, and on Friday afternoons, I like to spend a couple of hours at one of the many Tim’s, having a coffee, working on my computer. If you see me there, I would love to have a chat with you. I sit on a number of HRM Committees. Here is a quick summary of what has been happening. For more information go to the Halifax web site www.halifax.ca.
Environment and Sustainability I am the vice chair of the Environment and sustainability committee. As you are aware, the environment is an important consideration for council. The issue of plastics, reducing CO2 emissions, recycling, composting our waste, and many other issues are part of the agenda of the environment and sustainability committee. Currently, we are examining through staff away to deal with our compostable waste. Staff has been asked to present a report for council, as to where the best site might be. We are getting ready for a RFP to be sent out. The issue of plastic in our waste continues to be a major hurdle. China is no longer accepting plastic waste, so we have to deal with it on a local level. Burying it in the ground is not an option, and counsel along with the environment and sustainability committee is looking at options. One of the options that has had great success in other provinces and cities is EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility. I am very excited about EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility. 80% of the Canadian population has EPR and it appears it would solve many of our problems regarding waste. We are already paying for EPR, but receiving non of the benefits. EPR attaches a small sum to the cost of an item, so that private enterprise can create a market for the subsequent waste that is always created. On most items this cost is so small as to be negligible, but it has a huge impact - creates jobs, puts money back into our coffers to ameliorate the sky-rocketing waste costs and cleans the environment. It is a win-win all around. The sticking point is province, which has the say over EPR.
In June I will meet with staff and others to look at how EPR might be implemented. Currently, in my mind, extended producer responsibility is the immediate short term trash solution.
Other areas that we need to look at is the idling of cars and trucks. We are also awaiting the staff report regarding idling cars and trucks. CO2 is a great threat through climate change, and we need to mitigate the amount of CO2 going into the atmosphere. The question is can we do this internally, or do we contract this out and engage a private contractor?
Then there is the spectre of climate change. It is coming on fast and furious and we are already seeing the effects of it. Currently we are nowhere near meeting CO2 cutbacks to affect a mitigation. In 2015, the fifth IPCC report issued a damning report. We have to cut back CO2 emissions by 80% in the next decade to avoid 2C increase in global temperature. To HRM, the effects are numerous, coastal ocean level rise, climate pest invasion (the invasion of Lyme disease carried by ticks is just one such example. Fire ants another), forest fire threats, droughts, decreasing water tables, more frequent and more severe storms, floods, ocean warming, and climate refugees, just to name a few. We must institute meaningful and intelligent cutbacks to protect ourselves, our children and grandchildren. Without a healthy, stable environment we will not have a sustainable future. Membership of the Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee Councillor Tony Mancini - Chair - District 6 - Harbourview-Burnside-Dartmouth East Councillor Richard Zurawski - Vice-Chair - District 12 - Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood Councillor Steve Streatch- District 1 - Waverley - Fall River - Musquodoboit Valley Councillor Bill Karsten - District 3 - Dartmouth South-Eastern Passage Councillor Shawn Cleary - District 9 - Halifax West Armdale Councillor Lisa Blackburn - District 14 - Middle/Upper Sackville - Beaver Bank - Lucasville https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/standing-committees/environment-sustainability-standing-committee
Canada Games Centre Board of Directors The Canada games centre continues to operate in the black and is providing wonderful services to the community. Under its director, Gary Furlong, the CGC is a world-class facility. It offers some of the best athletic services to be found anywhere, for the elite athlete as well as the novice. The CGC is also working actively to become more financially accessible. It has recently accepted new directors who continue the tradition of great stewardship for the centre. I am also happy to announce that the CGC has officially launched their Membership Fee Assistance pilot program for 2018-19. The pilot’s goal is to help 150 low-income individuals/families in our community stay active by covering 50% of their annual membership fees. All of the eligibility and application details of the program have been added to the membership section of our website: http://canadagamescentre.ca/membership/membership-types-rates/fee-assistance/.
Community Monitoring Committee The community monitoring committee for the Otter Lake waste facility continues to provide stewardship and guidance, along with recommendations for the site. The waste facility is an integral part of the handling of our refuse in HRM. When it was established more than two decades ago it was a world-class facility. It continues to be among the best in Canada. The challenges related to waste continue to evolve. And there are no easy solutions, or cheap solutions to the handling of HRM waste. The Board of Directors of the facility continue to examine all options for the future. The two major issues that we face today are what to do with our plastic waste, and what to do without compostable waste. We also need to consider other options as the facility nears the end of its lifetime. Unfortunately, our consumer lifestyle exacerbates the problems we have with waste. And the best solution is not to create the waste in the first place. An additional issue is the creation of methane, which is a very powerful greenhouse gas accelerator. What we have learned from the waste facility at Otter Lake will help us move ahead in the future.
Members of the board appointed by Regional Council: Mayor Mike Savage Councillor Richard Zurawski - District 12 - Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park Wedgewood Councillor Steve Adams - District 11 - Spryfield - Sambro - Prospect Road Councillor Matt Whitman - District 13 - Hammonds Plains - St. Margarets Kate Sullivan Mike Becigneul https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/a-c/community-monitoring-committee
Transportation Committee Transportation is a key component to the health of HRM and to District 12. In my mind, the integration of the automobile, public transit, cycling and pedestrian traffic is the ultimate goal to creating a healthy, livable community. A great deal of the problem that we face today is the fact that we are stuck with infrastructure that view the car culture as dominant. We built our subdivisions and communities around the car. That has created substantial problems, issues with cycling and pedestrian safety, and low ridership on our public transit. Some of the major issues revolve around pedestrian safety in District 12. The roads of major concern are Washmill, Parkland, Dunbrack, St. Margaret's Bay Road, Lacewood and Farnhamgate. This is by no means a complete list. Crosswalks, pedestrian safety, speeding, parking continue to be issues that we have to deal with. I will continue to work with staff on the issues that I have outlined above.
Membership of the Transportation Standing Committee Councillor Tim Outhit - Chair - District 16 - Bedford-Wentworth Councillor Lorelei Nicoll - Vice-Chair - District 4 - Cole Harbour - Westphal Deputy Mayor Waye Mason- District 7 - Halifax South Downtown Councillor Lindell Smith- District 8 - Halifax Peninsula North Councillor Shawn Cleary- District 9 - Halifax West Armdale Councillor Richard Zurawski - District 12 - Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park-Wedgewood https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/standing-committees/transportation-standing-committee
Heritage Advisory Committee HRM is among the oldest municipalities in North America, and has a rich and vibrant architectural heritage. As the city grows there are challenges to that architecture. Modern needs are often not compatible with heritage structures. However, there is more than functionality to be considered when looking at our heritage and history. The heritage committee is designed to make sure that we lose as little as possible of our heritage and history, as our municipality moves into the future.
Membership Iona Stoddard - Chair Jenny Lugar - Vice-Chair Councillor David Hendsbee - District 2 - Preston-Chezzetcook-Eastern Shore Councillor Richard Zurawski - District 12 - Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood Dylan Ames Melanie Baker Derek Bellemore William Breckenridge Janet Morris Blair Philbey Sandi Stewart Paul Cole https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/boards-committees-commissions/h/heritage-advisory-committee
Halifax West Community council The Halifax West community Council meets regularly to discuss issues such as rezoning, land use bylaws and development. HRM residents can attend and make submissions, suggestions and requests to the Halifax West community Council on issues pertaining to their needs. The following districts comprise HWCC • District 7 - Halifax South Downtown • District 8 - Halifax Peninsula North • District 9 - Halifax West Armdale • District 10 - Halifax - Bedford Basin West • District 11 - Spryfield - Sambro Loop - Prospect Road • District 12 - Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park – Wedgewood https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/community-councils/halifax-west-community-council
Community Design Advisory Committee (CDAC) CDAC as most are aware, is rolling out the centre plan for HRM. This has been a long term effort by staff to bring together and council to bring together a comprehensive plan for the future development of the Regional Centre of HRM. Early this year, staff briefed Council on the draft plan and the consultative process for the public. The centre plan is looking to focus on housing affordability and increased urban density and design. CDAC also wants your feedback. On the HRM web site there is more information on the Centre Plan and how to be involved in the process. Membership Fred Morley, Chair Councillor Sam Austin - District 5 - Dartmouth Centre Deputy Mayor Waye Mason - District 7 - Halifax South Downtown Councillor Lindell Smith - District 8 - Halifax Peninsula North Councillor Shawn Cleary - District 9 - Halifax West Armdale Councillor Richard Zurawski - District 12 - Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park-Wedgewood Willam Book Eric Burchill Christopher Daly Dale Godsoe Jenna Khoury-Hanna Reg Manzer Rima Thomeh Gaynor Watson-Creed https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/regional-community-planning/regional-plan/centre-plan
In addition to Regional Council (sits every second Tuesday), and the community committees (usually once a month), I also am actively involved with a various community groups and organizations. Here is a quick summary of just a few.
Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Rails to Trails Association This is a volunteer organization that manages the 13km trail passing through the communities of Beechville, Lakeside, Timberlea, Hubley, and Lewis Lake. For more information they invite you to visit and enjoy the trail. Their web site is http://blttrails.ca
HRTA - Halifax Regional Trails Association HRTA is a an organization of community-based volunteers who assist and support community trail groups to develop, build, maintain, and promote a system of interconnecting Active Transportation and other trails in HRM. In District 12 it has representation from Timberlea/ St. Margaret’s Bay area Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Rails to Trails Association St. Margaret’s Bay Area Rails to Trails Associatio The Bluff Trail: Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization Their web site is https://hrta.ca/wp/members/
Blue Mountian Birch Cove Wilderness area (BMBC) Many thanks to our Minister of the Environment Iain Rankin, MLA Raffa deConstanza who have been working with HRM to make this park a reality.
On the HRM side - Staff is actively planning, budgeting, and creating a schedule for the BMBC park acquisition. Staff already budgets for land acquisitions and parkland development separately within the Capital budget. For example, development of the Western Common Wilderness Park has its own Capital budget account, as does Parkland Acquisition. As the need to develop acquired BMBC parcels draws nearer, you will see specific capital budgets created for those lands in accordance with an overall plan that will have been approved by Council. Staff is seeking potential land donations in the acquisition plan. We will continue to actively pursue the potential for land swaps with landowners and there has been some initial interest in this regard.
Safety issues within the proposed park area continue to be be a priority. In spite of recent rains, fire concerns, lost hikers and ensuring safe use of the area for all, I have also been consulting with Environment Minister Iain Rankin about getting funds for students to monitor the region. We hope that this can be set into place relatively soon, in time for the summer season.
In addition a new support group has been established for the proposed park and help shape its future in conjunction with HRM. Its working name, until a new, more suitable name is chosen, is ’Friends of Blue Mountain Birch Cove’. It will be setting up a facebook and web page. The group has already selected a board of directors and is embarking on an ambitious progamme of support.
BLT Rec Centre BLT Recreation Centre Community Consultation Committee Seeks Members Halifax, NS, April 24, 2018 - A committee charged with conducting community engagement to help inform the design and location of the new Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Recreation Centre is seeking applications for membership.
The Community Consultation Committee is expected to have 10 to 12 members reflecting the BLT community. Members will have the responsibility of gathering input from the local community and keeping residents informed, through public meetings, open houses, surveys and other opportunities for local residents to have their say. The information gathered will be shared with Halifax Regional Municipality’s Recreation Department, to help inform the development of the facility.
Two co-chairs, Linda Moxsom-Skinner and Ken Donnelly, have been appointed by local Councillor Richard Zurawski to organize and facilitate the committee. A website (www.bltrec.ca) and Facebook page (@bltrec) have been established to help engage with the community, and an email list is available for subscription at www.bltrec.ca.
Moxsom-Skinner explained that now that the committee has the online pieces in place, it is time to recruit members of the Community Consultation Committee to assist in outreach to local residents. “We are looking for a broad range of people with established networks who can engage our residents. We want to have a committee that reflects the diversity of the BLT community, geographically and demographically,” said Moxsom-Skinner.
Councillor Zurawski created the BLT Community Consultation Committee to ensure local residents have a say in the design of the facility. “It is important that HRM staff who are developing the recreation centre hear directly from the community it will serve. The Community Consultation Committee connects the residents of Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea directly to the Recreation staff at HRM,” said Zurawski. HRM staff will attend meetings of the Community Consultation Committee as observers.
Residents interested in serving on the Community Consultation Committee can learn more about it and get an application form at http://bltrec.ca/the-committee/, by emailing admin@bltrec.ca, or calling 902-482-4575.
Traffic Issues - Pedestrian/Auto/Bicycle I continue to look at the traffic and pedestrian hot spots in District 12. The problems continue because of existing infrastructure which was originally constructed with only the car in mind, as well, as a development perspective that looked at only a suburban mindset. A key to understanding that massive traffic issues in District 12, is the construction of Bayer’s Lake as a suburban shopping region for HRM and the role it plays in our district. We are stuck with the bad, short-sighted infrastructure decisions of the past, and we now have to figure out how to mitigate them as we move to the future. Much of the traffic congestion that we experience in district 12 comes from other regions of HRM, who see our communities bordering Bayer’s Lake as an inconvenience to their needs. They have to travel through them to get to their shopping destination. In the short term that is not going to change. However, we can make sure that we do not add to the problem. Community minded growth that incorporates total, liveable development, where pedestrian, bicycle and automobile traffic can be integrated safely, is the new goal. In addition I am looking at, with staff, ways to calm traffic, that include, slowing through traffic down, speed bumps, cross walks, and narrowing of roads and addition of protected bike lanes and sidewalks.
As a summary - There were 56 vehicle/pedestrian/bicycle collisions reported in HRM in January – March 31, 2018. Of the 56 collisions 2 involved a bicycle while the remaining 54 were vehicle/pedestrian collisions, with 58 pedestrian victims. During the month of March, there were 15 vehicle/pedestrian reported collisions. Month over month, this represents a decrease (6 incidents) from the 21 incidents reported in February 2018. Year over year, there was an decrease (6 incidents) from the 21 incidents reported in March 2017. For January 1- March 31, 2018, 63 per cent (34 incidents) of vehicle/pedestrian collisions occurred in crosswalks. Of the 58 pedestrians involved: 2 were fatally injured 1 experienced severe injuries 4 experienced moderate injuries 33 experienced minor injuries 8 experienced no injuries 10 did not report their injuries to police
Stadium/CFL There is a stadium buzz in the air. The long standing issue of HRM having a professional grade stadium along with a CFL team has arisen again. At this juncture it remains speculation and there is no proposal before council, though there has been much discussion about the efficacy of said stadium and team. My opinion at this stage is that HRM should not be investing money in a stadium or a team. Citizen’s of HRM should not be financing sports teams and there attendant stadiums. However, a private group coming up with a proposal with private money is a completely different story. I await a proposal. It is exciting, but we also have to be cautious.
BLT and other Home Owners/Trail and Volunteer Groups District 12 is a large and diverse set of communities within the larger HRM community. And giving voice to the concerns of each of the of Timberlea, Lakeside, Beechville, Clayton Park and Wedgewood can be a challenge. Not only are the individual regions of district 12 diverse and distinct, but they are also changing. A quick drive through the region illustrates how fast change is happening. We are growing (3rd fastest in HRM) with new residents, construction with changing needs every day. To that end I have encouraged a number of community, within community, leaders to take the initiative to set up home owner’s groups and other organizations whose purpose is to bring to the district 12 table their needs and concerns that can be addressed in Council by me. Civic minded folks such as Bob Angus, Linda Moxsum-Skinner, Ken Donnelly, Kate Sullivan, Pastor Grant, Rana Zaman, Richard Vinson, Al Monroe, Bob and Wendy MacDonald, Dr. Tom Musial, and many others have been stalwarts of their respective communities and continue to be representatives of the many groups that function within District 12. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them not only for their past work, but for their continued representation and advice, and above all guidance, in providing for their communities. Their advice and consultation helps to fill in the gaps that inevitably occur for as large and diverse district as ours. They also help with the distribution and recommendations for the capital fund distributions for district 12.
Cannabis The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) (formerly UNSM) is adding its’ voice to those in policing and health care, expressing concern with the proposed legislation permitting public consumption of cannabis similar to tobacco. The province has left it up to municipalities to do the heavy work in protecting crowds, home owners and children through the creation of municipal bylaws. Councillor Shawn Cleary, Chair of the Municipal Cannabis Working Group, pointed out that both cannabis and alcohol are intoxicants and need to be treated in the same way. The Committee feels the permissions for public consumption as provided in the amended Smoke-Free Places Act will normalize the consumption of cannabis and send the wrong message to children and youth.
UNSM had recommended a province-wide approach consistent with the Liquor Control and Smoke Free Places Act. Councillor Geoff Stewart, President of UNSM noted the provincial changes make it clear municipalities may enact new bylaws providing further restrictions, and he believes many will, responding to their citizens concerns. “Allowing municipalities to establish their own bylaws will lead to confusion and inconsistencies throughout the province, making it difficult for the citizens and visitors to know the rules in place in each community.” Municipalities are examining the potential implications arising from the legalization of cannabis. Concerns have been raised about policing costs, easy access to cannabis plants growing outdoors by children and pets, fire safety, nuisance complaints and odours, public events, etc. The capacity of municipalities to enforce cannabis regulations is also of concern – a lack of capacity to enforce the rules will erode public trust in the institutions established to protect them. Municipalities do not have access to new revenues as the province does. Municipalities will be consulting with their citizens in the development of any new bylaws.
NSFM On May 10-12, I was part of five councillors (Cleary, Carsten, Walker and Deputy Mayor Mason) who attended the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities spring workshop in Yarmouth this year. The purpose of the workshop is to meet representatives of other Nova Scotian municipalities and work on mutually beneficial strategies to coping with issues that affect us all. Workshops and presentations were given on asset management, solid waste & EPR, Nova Scotia roads, energy efficiency, climate change initiatives, CAP (property assessment), Cannabis, and feedback sessions. It was a wonderful conference, and a pleasure meeting other representatives from other Nova Scotian municipalities, as well as exchanging ideas, perspectives, and possible solutions to the myriad of issues that we have to deal with in municipalities. The purpose of the NSFC is give voice and guidance to each other, and provincial and federal governments as to the needs of NS municipalities and their constituents.
Map of District 12
Blue Mountain Birch Cove Trail Maps
Regional Council Summaries
Roughly, every two weeks, Halifax Regional Council sits. If you want to watch live, you can watch from www.halifax.ca and follow the prompts. As a constituent service, I will be posting each Regional Council Summary in downloadable pdf form. Summaries are also available from the HRM web site.
I will be announcing next regional council meeting (Sept 11, 2018) that I intend on Sept 18, 2018 to bring forth for Council debate two motions for staff reports as listed below.
Motion #1 Environment and Ecological Impact in HRM
I request that a staff report be prepared and brought back to Regional Council for debate no later than the spring of 2019, detailing the proposed implementation an “Ecological Lens” in the decision making process of HRM. The purpose of the “Ecological Lens” is to create an environmental rubric for measuring the impact on the ecology and environment on HRM through the decisions that Regional Council and its various committees make. This “Ecological Lens” is intended to provide a tool to help council weigh the pros and cons of their decisions from an environmental impact perspective, and is intended to be part of every staff report.
Motion #2 Social Justice in HRM
I request that a staff report be prepared and brought back to Regional Council for debate no later than the spring of 2019, detailing the proposed implementation a “Social Impact Lens” in the decision making process of HRM. The purpose of the “Social Impact Lens” is to create a social justice rubric for measuring the impact on the multi-cultural fabric of HRM through the decisions that Regional Council and its various committees make on behalf of its constituents. This “Social Impact Lens” is intended to provide a tool to help council weigh the pros and cons of their decisions from societal impact perspective, and is intended to be part of every staff report.
Motions for Committee
Motions for Environment and Sustainability Committee
Single use plastic has become a plague in HRM. It is now being sent to landfills and not being processed. I propose that we have a staff report looking into the banning of all free single use plastic in stores. I would like staff to consider what other cities have done, regarding the banning of single use plastic, and have a report issued no later than spring 2019.
Staff report looking at the mitigation of car idling in HRM. Car idling is a major source of pollutants in HRM. Asking staff to consider how other cities have dealt with the problem.
Staff report looking at drive throughs and the feasibility of their elimination. Drive throughs create traffic and pollution issues.
Throw-away beverage and food containers constitute much of garbage in HRM. Staff report requested to consider a surcharge for fast food restaurants and coffee shops, or a reduction in the cost of food/beverages for those patrons who bring their own containers.
Motions for Transport Committee
Staff report about the installing cameras at stop-lighted intersections and busy pedestrian crossings. Have staff prepare a report to outline the feasibility of their installation.
Staff report to look at the Dunbrack North/West Arm boulevard in order to make it a two-way bicycle path. The centre is now bushes and encourages traffic to speed along a corridor that cut through and segregates communities from one another.