HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL
AGENDA

Tuesday, December 02, 2025, 10:00 a.m.; Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If Required

Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 18, 2025

4.

APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 15.1.1, 15.1.2, 15.1.4, 15.2.1, 15.2.2, 15.2.3, 15.2.4.

6.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

7.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

8.

MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

9.

MOTIONS OF RESCISSION - July 8, 2025

9.1

Councillor Hinch

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council rescind Item 15.4.2 from the July 8, 2025 Regional Council meeting which requested a staff report as follows:

That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to be delivered in August 2025 outlining when Cogswell Park can be de-designated as an HRM encampment location and request that the CAO direct staff to begin the process of closing the encampment and remediating the site back to a park as soon as possible

10.

CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

None

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

PUBLIC HEARING

None

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

13.2

Petitions

14.

INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD - November 18, 2025

14.1

Councillor Young - Halifax Water Annual Accountability Report

14.2

Councillor Hendsbee - 2026-2030 Strategic Plan / Action Plan

15.

REPORTS

15.1

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

15.1.1

Municipal Architect for Halifax Regional Municipality & Voluntary Design Review Process*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to continue the current practice of using in-house expertise, supplemented with external consulting expertise where appropriate, to implement urban design guidelines, placemaking, heritage protection, and affordable housing. 

15.1.2

Recreation and Infrastructure Needs: New Timberlea School*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. inform the Province of Nova Scotia that Halifax Regional Council has not identified recreation enhancements for municipal purposes to the new school being planned on Amalfi Way and Maple Grove Avenue in Timberlea; and 

2. assess the need and priority for sidewalks and pathway improvements on Timberlea Village Parkway and as warranted, identify any such projects within future capital budgets and engage with the Province of Nova Scotia for funding contributions.  

15.1.3

MINORREV-2025-02922 - Updated Approach to Amending Planning Documents for Provincial Minimum Planning Requirements

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider approval of the proposed amendments to the 2014 Regional Municipal Planning Strategy, Secondary Municipal Planning Strategies, Land Use By-laws and to the Regional Subdivision By-law as set out in Attachments and Schedules A, B, C, and D of the staff report dated November 17, 2025 and schedule a public hearing.

15.1.4

First Reading Proposed By-law B-403, Amendments to By-law B-400, Respecting Burglary, Robbery and Fire Alarm Systems*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law B-403, amending By-law B-400, Respecting Burglary, Robbery and Fire Alarm Systems, as set out in Attachment 2 to the staff report dated August 26, 2025.

15.2

AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE

15.2.1

Increase to Project No. CBE240005 - Structural Fire Training Prop*

Motion: 
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve an additional $1,500,000 (net HST included) in debt financing.

2. Increase the 2025/26 Capital Budget, Project Number CE240005 - Structural Fire Training Prop by $1,500,000 (net HST included); and

3. Award RFP 2025-0185 Design Build Fire Training Facility to the highest scoring bidder, Bird Construction Group, at a cost of $3,001,364 (net HST included) with funding from CE240005 Structure Fire Training Prop, as outlined in the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated October 1, 2025.

15.2.2

Orenda Canoe Club Request for HRM Funding*

Motion: 
That Halifax Regional Council approve a one-time financial contribution of $50,000 to the Orenda Canoe Club in fiscal 2025/2026, to be funded from the HRM Opportunity Reserve with such contribution to be contingent upon the Orenda Canoe Club’s execution of a Contribution Agreement, consistent with Administrative Order 2019-007-ADM, outlining terms, conditions, and reporting requirements governing the financial contribution.

15.2.3

Administrative Order 10, Partial Tax Exemption Administrative Order and Land Titles Clarification Act Tax Relief*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Discharge the property taxes owed by Applicant 1 (as defined in the staff report dated August 13,2025) for a total amount of $12,252.01.

2. Discharge the property taxes owed by Applicant 2 (as defined in the staff report dated August 13,2025) for a total amount of $5,892.27.

15.2.4

Request for financial support for purchase of six-unit building for use as affordable housing by Rooted: Community Development Partners*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve a grant of $150,000 and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to negotiate and execute a Contribution Agreement with Rooted using HAF funding. Regional Council could also amend any terms and conditions attached to funding.

15.3

GRANTS COMMITTEE

15.3.1

Less Than Market Value Lease Agreement: Spencer House Seniors Centre, 5596 Morris Street Halifax, NS

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve a less than market value lease agreement with the Spencer House Senior Centre for the premises located at 5596 Morris Street, and authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the less than market value lease with terms and conditions that are similar to those set out in the staff report dated August 12, 2025.

15.4

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.4.1

Councillor Steele - Staff report on the impacts of the Nova Scotia capped assessment program on the HRM housing market - REVISED

Motion: 
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to: 

a) Identify inequities within the current Nova Scotia Capped Assessment program and;

b) Examine the program’s effects on housing affordability in HRM, as well as its broader impact on HRM’s Housing Strategy.

Based on the findings of the above, that Regional Council directs the Mayor to write a letter to the Minister of Growth and Development requesting amendments to the Nova Scotia Assessment Act to permit a phased in approach that addresses identified inequities.

16.

MOTIONS

16.1

Councillor Gillis

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council request a staff report to amend By-Law C-500, Respecting Vending on Municipal Lands to include 650 Sackville Drive as an eligible location for a Food Truck and; consider amendments to the Land Use Bylaw for Sackville Drive to allow a Food Truck at 650 Sackville Drive and other locations along Sackville Drive under the Temporary Commercial Uses Section.

17.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

Council may rise and go into a private In Camera session, in accordance with Section 19 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, for the purpose of dealing with the following:

17.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - November 18, 2025

Motion: 
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of November 18, 2025 be approved as circulated.

17.2

LABOUR RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to reports, advice and recommendations, instruction or direction to officers and employees of the Municipality concerning labour relations and employee negotiations arising out of the contract or contract negotiations with one of the Municipalities unions.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated November 10, 2025; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 10, 2025 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.3

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to contract negotiations and legal advice. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1.Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated November 17, 2025; and

2. Release the private and confidential report dated November 17, 2025, to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met.

17.4

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated November 12, 2025; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 12, 2025 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.5

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council convene to in camera (in private) to discuss the matter. 

18.

ADDED ITEMS

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

20.

ADJOURNMENT

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Proclamation - International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3, 2025

21.2

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated November 24, 2025 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - None 

21.3

Memorandum from the Chair of Community Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee dated November 20, 2025 re: Update - ANS Road to Economic Prosperity Action Plan

21.4

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 14, 2025 re: Missing Middle Housing

21.5

Memorandum from the Chair of Audit and Finance Standing Committee dated November 25, 2025 re: Second Quarter 2025-26 Financial Report

21.6

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 14, 2025 re: R-400 Information Update

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

None