VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH

National Volunteer Week (NVW) pays tribute to the millions of Canadian volunteers who donate their time and energy. This year, NVW is from April 19^th – 25^th. We can celebrate the ways in which people in Canada have ignited volunteerism in their communities, aligning NVW 2026 with “Ignite Volunteerism”, deepening our collective impact. The International Volunteer Year (www.ivy26.ca) is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate the power of civic participation and renew Canada’s culture of volunteering. “Ignite Volunteerism” is a year-long effort to elevate the role of civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories. To help say ‘thank you’ to volunteers, Volunteer Canada has developed programs to access resources and products that can be attained through their website: https://volunteer.ca/ or on its Facebook page: @VolunteerCanada. There is plenty of information and ideas on how to foster more volunteerism in our communities.

In our own area be sure to contact “Volunteer Halifax” at http://volunteerhalifax.ca/ that links people with local non-profit community organizations, supporting persons with disabilities, new Canadians, corporations and professionals to connect to organizations in and around the municipality, helping individuals develop skills to advance their careers, and developing knowledge resources that support effective and efficient volunteer capacity. Connect with them through email at: info@volunteerhalifax.ca . Each year the Mayor and HRM Council recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Our local community hall associations are in desperate need for more volunteers. Due to a publication ban, this year’s list of HRM Volunteers is embargoed until mid-April, so a complete list of those honourees from our district will be in my May 2026 newsletter and will also be posted online at: www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering .

CANADA VOLUNTEER AWARDS

The Canada’s Volunteer Awards (CVA) consists of twenty-one awards, including one national award, the Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement award and 20 regional awards. The regional awards are distributed across five regions in the following four categories: Community Leader, Emerging Leader, Business Leader, and Social Innovator. It is time to nominate an outstanding individual, a not-for-profit organization, a social enterprise, or a socially responsible business who has made a significant contribution in improving the lives of others in their community through volunteering. Help them get the recognition they deserve. The award recipients will be recognized at an award ceremony and will be given the opportunity to select a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant. They will also participate in a roundtable discussion with fellow recipients and join the vibrant Canada’s Volunteer Awards community. The nomination period is officially open and will run until early May 2026.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/volunteer-awards/nominate.html?utm_campaign=CVA-2025&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=en&utm_content=Nominate-Greyhouse

To learn more about the Canada’s Volunteer Awards: visit:  www.Canada.ca/volunteer-awards . If you have questions, please contact them via email Info-cva-pbc-gd@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca. or call 1-877-825-0434.

CELEBRATE 56^th EARTH DAY – APRIL 22^nd

It has been 56 years since April 22nd was declared as Earth Day. Back in 1970, it mobilized millions of citizens to lobby for the protection of the planet. The first Earth Day is accredited with launching the modern environmental movement and is now recognized as the planet’s largest civic event. “Our Power, Our Planet” is Earth Day 2026’s theme reflecting a fundamental truth: environmental progress doesn’t depend on any single administration or election. It’s sustained by daily actions of communities, educators, workers, and families protecting where they live and work. www.earthday.org/earth-day-2026/ 

ACCESSIBLE & INCLUSIVE RECREATION INPUT

​​HRM is inviting residents to share their input on how recreation programs can be more inclusive and accessible. Feedback received will help inform updates to accessibility and inclusion in recreation programming across the municipality. Residents can participate through a virtual engagement session on Monday, April 13^th from 6 - 8 p.m. via Virtual town hall on Microsoft Teams. Residents can register by emailing: inclusion@halifax.ca . There is online engagement survey also available at: https://engagehalifax.ca/rec-inclusion The survey will be available until Thursday, April 30^th. For more details about the engagement and the Inclusion Support Advisory Group, visit HRM website: www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/programs-activities/inclusion-support-advisory-group

2026-29 YOUTH SERVICES PLAN SURVEY 

HRM is inviting youth to participate in an online engagement survey to help guide future youth-focused programs and services. Survey results will inform the municipality’s Youth Services Plan 2026-29 by identifying areas for improvement and opportunities to enhance recreation services for youth across the municipality. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. All respondents will be entered into a draw to win prizes, including a Nintendo Switch, two Apple Watch devices and three Apple AirPods sets. To qualify, participants must provide their name and phone number. Visit https://engagehalifax.ca/YSP to take the online survey, which is available until Thursday, April 30^th. For more information on the Youth Services Plan 2026-29, visit: www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/halifax-youth/youth-services-plan

INPUT ON HRM SUBURBAN PLAN

HRM is developing a Suburban Plan, a new planning document that will guide growth and change in our suburban areas. Residents will have opportunities to share their ideas and help influence the Suburban Plan throughout the planning process, including an initial online survey.  Residents, businesses and community-based organizations will have opportunities to share feedback and ask questions at each phase of the planning process. The goal of the suburban planning process is to update land use policies under one plan while respecting each community’s unique history, characteristics and aspirations. Learn more about the project by visiting: www.halifax.ca/suburbanplan . Fill out the survey by visiting: https://engagehalifax.ca/suburban-plan. The survey is open and will remain available until June 15th. Questions about the HRM Suburban Plan can be sent to suburbanplan@halifax.ca

HRM INTERIM TAX BILL DUE APRIL 30^TH

This HRM sends out its tax bills to all property owners twice a year. The Interim bill was mailed mid-March and is due on Thursday, April 30^th. The final bill will be due Friday, October 30^th. If you have any enquiries about your tax bill, please call the HRM Contact Centre at 311 or on-line at: www.halifax.ca/home-property/property-taxes

POTHOLES & VEHICLE CLAIMS

If you see or hit a pothole on a HRM street, then report it by calling 311 or using HRM online form at http://halifax.ca/potholes. If you have any questions about this form/survey, please call 311 or email: contactus@311.halifax.ca  You can also find answers to common questions, priorities and timelines on the HRM website. www.halifax.ca/transportation/streets-sidewalks/paving-repair/report-a-pothole  To make a claim against the municipality for any vehicle damage, you will need to have called 311 to get a Service Request Reference File Number with your contact information and HRM Risk Management Team will contact you. 

If you have incurred damage on a provincial roadway, you may submit a claim to Insurance and Risk Management at the Department of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services, for consideration. Compensation is paid when an investigation finds that the province was negligent in their duties and that negligence resulted in your damage. Submit your claim within 30 days of the incident to ensure that your claim meets the notice requirement. Use SNSIS Claim Form and send evidence to support your claim. https://novascotia.ca/tran/publications/vehicle_property_damage_claim_form.pdf  Submit your claim by Email : risk@novascotia.ca or by Fax : 902-424-2325 or Mail: NS Insurance & Risk Management - PO Box 2205, Halifax, NS B3J 3C4