I hope that you are enjoying your Thanksgiving long weekend. Celebrating this year will be very different for many of us due to Covid. However, I hope that you will still safely enjoy this beautiful time of year in Nova Scotia and perhaps a good feast of local produce and treats, as well as walks and hikes to enjoy the beautiful fall colours.
Regional Council has held its final meeting until after the election, but some of our Committees continue to meet. I am very fortunate that I did not have to run a campaign, so I continue to focus on responding to your concerns, questions and ideas. I am also meeting with HRM senior staff from several departments, in order to advocate for facilities and services needed in our District to be included in upcoming Budgets.
I encourage you to vote by phone, online or in person to support your choice of candidate for HRM Mayor. I have included important dates and information for you below, from a recent announcement from HRM. Voting online is easy – you can do while you are waiting for your Turkey or Tofurky to cook! I have also included an announcement from HRM on programs and services changes for a Thanksgiving Monday.
Thanksgiving Service Adjustments
Public Service Announcement
Municipal program and service level adjustments on Thanksgiving weekend.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following municipal program and service level adjustments over the upcoming Thanksgiving long weekend.
Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours:
No municipal solid waste collection services will take place on Monday, Oct. 12. Curbside collection of garbage, organics or recyclables normally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12, will instead occur on the preceding Saturday, Oct. 10. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m. To ensure collection, materials may be placed curbside the evening prior to collection day.
The Otter Lake Waste Facility will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, but will be open on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 11 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (residential drop-off area only).
The municipal recycling facility will be open on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
The Household Special Waste depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 10, and will re-open for regular operating hours on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services
On Monday, Oct. 12, Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday schedules, and ferries will be operating on the current reduced schedules for Sundays and holidays.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
Public washrooms and first aid at the Emera Oval pavilion will be open on Monday, Oct. 12 from noon to 8 p.m. Rentals are not currently available, however, residents are welcome to use the Emera Oval for cycling and rollerblading with their own equipment. Please be advised that masks are mandatory in public places, including the public washrooms at the Emera Oval.
Many municipally-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12. Residents are advised to call ahead to their respective facility for operating hours and program information.
Parking
On-street parking will be free on Monday, Oct. 12, however, motorists must abide by other posted signage such as accessible parking, fire hydrants and no-stopping.
Residents are reminded that the new paid parking system will come into effect on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Customer Contact Centres
The 311 Contact Centre will be operating on regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Monday, Oct. 12. You can contact 311 by phone, or by emailing contacthrm@halifax.ca.
The three Customer Service Centres that provide in-person access to municipal services and payments will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, and will reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Election Information
Advanced polls open for voting online and by phone
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that advanced polls are now open for voting online and by phone. These polls are open until Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
All residents who received their voter information letter are now able to vote. The voter information letter contains important information related to the municipal election including a personalized PIN number for the online and phone voting period. For online voting, please ensure that you are putting the voting link in the address bar of your web browser, and not the search bar.
Revisions to the voters list can be made until 8 p.m. on Oct. 14 by contacting the voter helpline at 902-490-VOTE (8683) or 1-844-301-VOTE (8683). Revisions can also be made in person during the advanced polls occurring on October 10 and 13, and on Election Day, October 17.
The following are key upcoming dates in the electoral process:
October 10 & October 13 – Advanced polling days for in-person voting (paper ballots only)
October 17 – Election Day – In-person voting only (paper ballots only)
For full election details visit halifax.ca/election
Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Tim