HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL
AGENDA

Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m.; Reconvene 6:00 p.m.

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

REVISED – January 23, 2026 – 12:45 p.m.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 13, 2026 

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, 15.1.3, 15.1.4, 15.3.1.

6.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

7.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

8.

MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

9.

MOTIONS OF RESCISSION

None

10.

CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - January 13, 2026

10.1

LakeWatchers 2022-24 Update

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

1. Direct staff to add the supervised beaches at Kidston Lake, Long Pond, Penhorn Lake, Albro Lake, Birch Cove (Lake Banook), Lake Echo, Springfield Lake, and Kearney Lake to the Naturalization Program.

2. Direct staff to explore shoreline and in-lake green infrastructure options for addressing stormwater discharge locations within 100 m of supervised beaches.

10.2

First Reading Proposed By-law T-1008, Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines and Transportation Network Companies

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to By-law T-1008, Amending By-law T-1000, the Halifax Regional Municipality Taxi, Limousine and Transportation Network Companies By-law, as set out in Attachment 2 to the staff report dated November 25, 2025.

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

HEARINGS

12.1

HERITAGE HEARING

1:00 p.m.

12.1.1

Case HRTG-2025-02222: Request to Include 1530 Oxford Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 1530 Oxford Street, Halifax, in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated November 5, 2025, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act. 

12.2

PUBLIC HEARING

6:00 p.m.

12.2.1

Noise Exemption Request – Dalhousie Sno-Fest 2026

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the Dalhousie Student Union’s Sno-Fest 2026 application for an exemption from the provisions of the Noise By-law pursuant to the contents of the staff report dated January 20, 2026, and any matters raised at the public hearing.

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

13.2

Petitions

14.

INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD

None

15.

REPORTS

15.1

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

15.1.1

HRM One Membership for Parks and Recreation Facilities*

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

1. initiate a pilot project to implement a 75% discount on all day passes and single use passes to holders of an active facility membership at any facilities owned and operated by HRM or any facilities classified as a Multi-District Facility, and 

2. return to Regional Council with an update on the pilot project including usage data, additional member consultation, and future recommendations following the Multi-District Facility Governance review.

15.1.2

Application for Encroachment Agreement – Downtown Halifax Business Commission Sign*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the attached Encroachment Agreement between Halifax Regional Municipality and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, the purpose of which is to grant an encroachment license for a sign within the public right of way in the sodded boulevard along Barrington Street beside the Halifax Water Treatment Plant and the roundabout. 

15.1.3

Housing Trust of Nova Scotia: Contribution Agreement Amendment*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve an amendment to Appendix 3 - Section 7 of the Contribution Agreement dated June 14, 2022, as shown in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated December 9, 2025.

15.1.4

Police Extraordinary Investigation Reserve Access Criteria*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve the definitions, access criteria, approval processes, and reporting requirements, outlined in the Discussion section of the staff report dated January 20, 2026, as the governing framework for the access to, and use of, the funds in the Police Extraordinary Investigation Reserve.

15.1.5

Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2025-001-ADM, Respecting Grants for Second Units

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2025-001-ADM, the Second Unit Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated December 15, 2025.

15.1.6

Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 1, Respecting the Procedures of the Council - Fixed Interval Auditor General Recommendations Reporting

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order One, the Procedures of the Council Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated January 21, 2025.

15.1.7

AAA Bicycle Network Capital Projects: 2026/27 & 2027/28 Planned Construction - REVISED

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

1. initiate functional planning for the three alternatives to the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bikeway network capital projects as described in the Discussion section of the staff report dated January 21, 2025 and subject to approval of the associated costs in the 2026/27 capital budget, return to Regional Council with a recommended approach to implementation of these three alternatives; and,

2. pursue federal and provincial funding opportunities for Council-approved AAA bikeway network projects whenever application intakes are announced.

15.2

COMMUNITY PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE

15.2.1

Halifax International Airport Authority Update - 10:00 a.m.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council receive the Halifax Stanfield International Airport Annual Update as a presentation.

15.3

GRANTS COMMITTEE

15.3.1

HRM Anti-Black Racism Grants Program: Fiscal 2025 – Recommended Awards*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve sixteen (16) awards as detailed in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated January 8, 2026 for a combined total of $100,000 from Operating Account E401-8004 Anti-Black Racism Grants.

15.4

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.4.1

Councillor Purdy and Councillor Deagle Gammon - Request for Provincial Action on Strengthening Dog Policies

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to request the Mayor write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs John A. MacDonald by end of day on February 24 urging consideration of strengthened policies regarding dangerous animals, including:

1. Transferring dangerous dog legislation to the provincial level or mandating inter-jurisdictional communication on animal control to prevent relocation of dangerous dogs between municipalities.

2. Providing authority for immediate seizure of animals following a serious attack to ensure public safety during investigations.

3. Implementing stronger preventative measures, including higher penalties for owners who fail to control their dogs.

15.4.2

Councillor Steele - African Nova Scotian Affirmation

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Waive Section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer, to include an African Nova Scotia affirmation at Regional Council and Committee meetings during African Nova Scotia Month in February 2026; and

2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to prepare a staff report regarding amending Administrative Order One to include an affirmation of the contributions of African Nova Scotians to Mi’kma’ki at Regional Council and Committee meetings.  

15.4.3

Councillor Hartling - Community Integration Fund - Goodwood Beautification Initiative

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to prepare a staff report for the allocation of a portion of the former District 11 Community Integration Fund (now District 13) for a community beautification program in Goodwood.

15.4.4

Councillor Hartling - Review of Blasting and Grading By-Laws

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to prepare a staff report after a review of by-laws B-600 and G-200 that includes:

• An evaluation of the overall effectiveness of both by-laws in achieving their intended policy goals;
• A summary of the number and nature of resident complaints received in relation to these by-laws over a reasonable timeframe;
• A comparison of enforcement outcomes versus the volume of complaints;
• Recommendations for potential amendments, repeals, or enhancements to improve the efficiency and clarity of said by-laws.

16.

MOTIONS

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 - January 13, 2026

Motion: 
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of January 13, 2026 be approved as circulated.

17.2

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 January 20, 2026; and

2. Release the private and confidential report dated January 20, 2026 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met. 

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 January 15, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated January 15, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.4

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land. 

This item was deleted from the agenda.

17.5

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated January 21, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated January 21, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.6

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated January 26, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated January 26, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

17.7

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated January 26, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated January 26, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

17.8

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated January 23, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated January 23, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

18.

ADDED ITEMS

18.1

Councillor Deagle Gammon - Establishment of HRM Comfort Centre Policy

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report to develop a municipal Comfort Centre Policy to support consistent, cost‑effective, and efficient identification, administration, and activation of comfort centres throughout the municipality.

18.2

Councillor White - Residents vs Citizens in HRM Mission Statement

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. waive Section 17 of Administrative Order One, requiring a staff report from the Chief Administrative Officer; and

2. direct the CAO to modify the wording of the HRM Mission statement in the 2026 – 2030 Strategic Plan to replace “our citizens” with “residents”:

Currently: “We take pride in providing high-quality public service to benefit our citizens.”

Revised: “We take pride in providing high-quality public service to benefit residents.”

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

20.

ADJOURNMENT

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated January 19, 2026 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - Joshua Stilling

21.2

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated January 6, 2026 re: Cogswell District Project Update Report #8

21.3

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated January 27, 2026 re: Award of Contracts – Quarterly Report October 2025 to December 2025

21.4

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 21, 2025 re: Mill Cove Ferry Service – Project Update #01

21.5

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated January 2, 2026 re: Transit Fare Exemptions for Seniors

21.6

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated January 5, 2026 re: Windsor Street Exchange Project Update Report #1

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

None