Describing it as the best of a set of bad options, councillors are moving ahead with a revised version of the staff proposal to create designated tent sites for unhoused Haligonians. But significant questions remain about how and when people currently living in municipal parks will be asked to leave, or whether they’ll be forcibly […]
Halifax councillors pass 4.6% increase to average property tax bill, including 3% for climate action
Halifax regional councillors have finalized the municipal budget with a 4.6% increase to the average property tax bill, including 3% for climate action. During their virtual budget committee meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted 14-3 in favour of the 2022-2023 budget. Councillors David Hendsbee, Trish Purdy, and Paul Russell voted no. Councillors all but finalized the […]
Halifax councillor proposes $15 minimum wage for city staff
A Halifax councillor is proposing to hike pay for some city employees ahead of provincial minimum wage increases. While the municipality has a living wage policy covering some contractors’ staff, there’s no wage guarantee for HRM’s own staff. A living wage in Halifax, according to the latest calculation from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, […]
Halifax councillors aim for lesser tax increase, one gets a climate change crash course
Halifax councillors are aiming for lower taxes while considering taking on more debt after a budget committee meeting on Friday. In November, Halifax regional council’s budget committee voted in favour of a fiscal framework from finance staff that would build the municipality’s 2022-2023 budget around a 5.9% increase to the average property tax bill. Unlike […]
Committee recommends adoption of Halifax Common plan despite calls for more consultation
Concerns about a lack of recent public consultation gave councillors pause, but weren’t enough for them to recommend a stop to the Halifax Common Master Plan. The plan is a proposed redesign of the Halifax Common, removing some baseball diamonds and adding features like trees, seating, and a trellis. It envisions concerts on the Common,...