PUBLIC HEARING ON DISTRICTS

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) will be holding Public Hearings on the proposed Redistribution and Realignment of the HRM Municipal District boundaries

for the 2024 Municipal Election. The dates for these hearings are scheduled between May 31 - June 1. This topic is listed on the NSUARB website as “Matter No. M10924” - Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) 2022 Municipal Boundary Review. https://uarb. novascotia.ca/fmi/webd/UARB15

To speak at this hearing or to submit any written comments to the NSUARB Clerk, one must register their intentions by Wednesday, May 10, 2023. Their Mailing address is

P.O. Box 1692, Unit “M”, Halifax, NS B3J 3S3, by email: board@novascotia.ca or fax: 902-424-3919

To view the new proposed district boundaries that have gone forth to the NSUARB, please visit: www.halifax.ca/boundaryreview 

From a District 2 perspective, the communities of North Preston, East Preston, and the Little Salmon River subdivision in Westphal will be merging with District 4: Cole Harbour – Westphal – Cherry Brook

– Lake Loon. This geographical adjustment will reunite the African Nova Scotian Communities within the Preston Township into one district instead of being split between two districts. Additionally, the two local Municipal Planning Strategies for these areas will now be under one district.

NAIG 2023 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The countdown is on with less than 100 days until the start of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) from July 15 - 23, 2023. Kjipuktuk (Halifax) will welcome over 5,000 Indigenous participants across 16 different sports from all across Turtle Island (North America) representing over 750 First Nations.

Volunteers are required! You must be a minimum of 16 years of age or older or 14 years of age (with supervision). Volunteers are asked to volunteer a minimum total of 18 hours and must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have obtained a valid Medical or Religious/Creed exemption, plus submit a Criminal Record check. Costs associated with the Criminal Record check will be covered by the 2023 NAIG organizers. For more details, please visit: https://naig2023.com/ opportunities/ or email: volunteer@naig2023.com 

EMERGENCY PREPARDNESS WEEK

Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week will be from May 7 - 13, 2023. Everyone should be prepared and able to take care of themselves for a 72-hour period from any potential harm caused by a significant weather event or incident.

Our district is very fortunate to have two Joint Emergency Management (JEM) Teams: Eastern Shore JEM (Cole Harbour to Ship Harbour) and Sheet Harbour JEM (East Ship Harbour to Ecum Secum), with discussions on forming a JEM Team for the Preston Township area.

All of our JEM Teams are looking for volunteers. For more details, please go to: www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/volunteer-during-emergency

There are plans for an EP Info Booth at the Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market on Sunday, May 7 and the annual parade of EP Partners at the ‘JEM Jamboree’ on Saturday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Porters Lake Atlantic Superstore parking lot.

Here are few more EP websites: www.getprepared.gc.ca www.publicsafety.gc.ca http://novascotia.ca/dma/emo

or on Twitter @nsemo www.halifax.ca/fire-police/fire/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness-checklists 

Or on Twitter @HRM_EMO

OFF SHORE WIND ASSESSMENTS

The Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia have launched the start of a Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development to support future decisions on offshore wind projects. Harnessing the power of wind can help deliver clean, affordable electricity to our homes and businesses, create jobs and local economic growth, and fight climate change for generations to come.

This Assessment will allow for early analysis of future wind development offshore, as well as its potential environmental, health, social and economic effects and benefits. This will help inform planning and decision-making for future wind projects in the study areas.

The final Agreement between the Federal and Provincial Governments along with

the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Committee were released in March 2023. The Agreement and TOR outlines how the Assessment will be conducted, and sets out its goals, objectives, activities and planned outcomes, as well as key aspects of its governance and administration.

Both documents were developed with

input from the public, Indigenous Peoples, and environmental, fishing, academic, and industry organizations. Under its TOR, the Committee now has 18 months to complete its work.

During this time, it will engage with Indigenous Peoples, other organizations and the public, gather and analyse information and seek advice from advisory groups. At this time, no dates have been established for any Community Consultations. To keep abreast of this topic, please refer to: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/proj/83514?culture=en-CA.

HWY 107 WILDLIFE FENCING

NSDPW has put out a tender call to have some Wildlife Protective Barrier Fencing along the HWY 107 corridor between Exit 17 – East Preston to Exit 18 – Mineville / Lake Echo. Everyone who travels along this highway can attest to the number of wildlife encounters that occur in this area. Numerous birds, racoons, rabbits, porcupines, skunks, foxes, coyotes, deer, and bear have been injured or become roadkill. Even some people have been harmed and even killed by collisions with wildlife.

More project information can be found at: https://hendsbee.ns.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/5-Highway-107-Preliminary-Fencing-and-Escape-Measures-Ver-3-2022.pdf.

HOUSEHOLD SPECIAL WASTE MOBILE DEPOT - MAY 6, 2023

The Halifax Regional Municipality mobile household special waste (HSW) drop-off depots accepts chemical waste generated in your home.

The mobile depot is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. The next drop-off day is Saturday, May 6 at the Porters Lake Transit Terminal, 21 Inspiration Drive, Porters Lake (by Hwy 107, Exit 20)

For more information on what can be taken to a HSW depot, please visit https://www. halifax.ca/home-property/garbage-recycling-green-cart/household-special-waste

RECOGNIZED LOCAL VOLUNTEERS

Each year the Halifax Regional Municipality recognizes the extraordinary contributions of individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide services and programs in our communities. Here is a complete list of the local honourees from our district for 2023. These individuals and organizations that were honoured at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception on Wednesday, April 19 in Dartmouth:

- Colin Cameron

- Krista Samuelsen 

- Doug MacLeod

- Carrie Knowlton-Trider 

- Jessie Davies

- Adam Baggs

- Paul Anderson

 - Grand Desert Recreation Society

- Eastern Shore Minor Hockey Association 

Congratulations and many thanks to you all!