Sam Austin

Council Updates

  • Council Update: Ferry Fares, Dartmouth Cove Development Charges, Affordable Housing
    Agenda, May 26 Ferry Fare ForgivenessThe major item for District 5 was a motion I put forward to waive fares on the Alderney Ferry on weekdays for the month of June. My reason for the …
  • Council Update: School Libraries, Extra Floors, M District
    Agenda, May 12Agenda, March 10 Supplemental FundingThe major item on Council’s agenda yesterday was actually an in camera item, negotiations with the Halifax Centre for Education regarding supplemental funding. HRM and HRCE have reached a …
  • Council Update: Budget, Woodside, Extra Floors, Mic Mac Mall Development
    Agenda, February 24 Budget:Council’s budget deliberations are nearing their conclusion. This past week we finished reviewing the last department, Fiscal Services. Fiscal Services are a sort of catch-all department for a lot of HRM’s money …
  • Council Update: Budget (Mayor’s Office, Staffing)
    Mayor’s OfficeNew this year to budget deliberations, the Mayor’s Office presented as a stand-alone independent department. The Mayor has always been independent, just like everyone on Council. Each of us makes up our own mind …
  • Council Update: Austerity or Not?
    Council’s budget deliberations are well underway at City Hall. February is the busiest time of the year for Councillors as budget meetings fill up several additional days each week. So far, Council has heard from …
  • Council Update: Lakes, Bike Network, One-Membership, Ride Share
    Agenda, January 27 LakeWatchersCouncil received its first detailed report into results from the LakeWatchers program. The Program launched in 2022 and involves sampling lake water in 79 lakes across HRM twice a year. Samples are …
  • Council Update: Forum and Ferries
    Forum:On Wednesday, Council resumed budget deliberations with a look at the capital budget and I’m fairly alarmed at where Mayor Fillmore wants to take us regarding the Halifax Forum project. The Forum is a multi-use …
  • Council Update: Missing Middle, Pensions
    Missing Middle Housing and the Building CodeA motion of mine was back before Council around eliminating barriers to Missing Middle Housing. The situation I’m trying to change is our restrictive rules around stairways that make …
  • Council Update: Banook Plan, CAP
    Agenda December 9Agenda December 2 Banook PlanThe Lake Banook Coordination Plan was approved by Council this week. Banook is a special place. It’s both a prized community recreational hub, and an international sporting venue. It’s …
  • Council Update: Budget 2026 Begins
    Agenda, November 19 Budget 2026The 2026 budget process is now underway. Over the next 4-5 months, staff and Council will complete a detailed review of all of HRM’s plans for 2026. Unfortunately, this is looking …
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