HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL

MINUTES

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m.; Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If Required

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

Present:

• Mayor Andy Fillmore
• Deputy Mayor Patty Cuttell
• Councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon
• Councillor David Hendsbee
• Councillor Becky Kent
• Councillor Trish Purdy
• Councillor Sam Austin
• Councillor Laura White
• Councillor Virginia Hinch
• Councillor Shawn Cleary
• Councillor Kathryn Morse
• Councillor Janet Steele
• Councillor Nancy Hartling
• Councillor John Young
• Councillor Billy Gillis
• Councillor Jean St-Amand

Regrets:

• Councillor Tony Mancini

Staff:

• Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
• John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer
• Christopher Giddens, Acting Municipal Solicitor
• Iain MacLean, Municipal Clerk
• Olawumi Odeyinka-Apantaku, Legislative Assistant
• Simon Ross-Siegel, Legislative Assistant

The following does not represent a verbatim record of the proceedings of this meeting. 

The agenda, reports, supporting documents information items circulated and video (if available) are online at halifax.ca. 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Mayor Fillmore called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and acknowledged that the meeting took place in the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq people, and that we are all treaty people.

1.1

SPECIAL PRESENTATION – CARNEGIE MEDAL PRESENTATION - 10:00 a.m.

Councillor Deagle Gammon presented the Carnegie Medal to Alex and Trisha Munroe. Alex and Trisha Munroe gave some brief remarks.

1.2

SELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR

Mayor Fillmore thanked Deputy Mayor Mancini for serving Halifax Regional Municipality as Deputy Mayor over the past year.

Mayor Fillmore called for nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor of the Halifax Regional Council.

MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Deagle Gammon

THAT Councillor Cuttell be nominated Deputy Mayor of the Halifax Regional Council.

Councillor Cuttell was declared the successful nominee.

MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Purdy

THAT Councillor Cuttell be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

Councillor Cuttell was declared the Deputy Mayor of the Halifax Regional Council.

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Councillors noted special community announcements and acknowledgements.

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 28, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Deagle Gammon

THAT the minutes of October 28, 2025 be approved as circulated.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

4.

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

Additions: None

Deletions:

• Item 17.4 Intergovernmental Relations

Deferred to the next meeting of Halifax Regional Council:

• Item 15.4.2 Councillor Hinch - Movement of the Halifax Regional Police Integrated Emergency Response Communicators

As provided for in section 37 (1) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, Iain MacLean, Executive Director of City Hall Administration & Municipal Clerk requested that Item 17. In Camera be considered at 3:30 p.m.

As provided for in section 12 (5) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, Councillor Young requested that Information Item 21.6 Memorandum from the Chair, Halifax Water Board dated October 28, 2025 re: Halifax Water Annual Accountability Report be brought forward at the next Halifax Regional Council Meeting and include a presentation.

As provided for in section 12 (5) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, Councillor Hendsbee requested that Information Item 21.7 Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 12, 2025 re: 2026-2030 Strategic Plan / Action Plan be brought forward at the next Halifax Regional Council Meeting.

MOVED by Councillor St-Amand, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT the agenda be approved as amended.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

As provided for in section 41 (3) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council:

• 15.1.5 - HRM Corporate User Fee Policy and Strategy was removed from the consent agenda at the request of Councillor White

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items:

• 15.1.2 - Amendments to Regional Centre SMPS and LUB - Grouped Site-Specific Applications for 2025/2026 (Cases MPSA-2025-01528, MPSA-2025-01629, MPSA-2025-01929, and MPSA-2025-02020)
• 15.1.3 - Bee City Resolution
• 15.1.4 - MPSREV-2025-02389 Update on Missing Middle Housing, Mass Timber and other Amendments in the Regional Centre SMPS & LUB
• 15.3.1 - Hubbards Rural Sidewalks Area Rate and Boundary

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

6.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

None

7.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

None

8.

MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

9.

MOTIONS OF RESCISSION

None

10.

CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

None

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

HERITAGE HEARING

12.1

HRTG-2024-02793: Request to Include 1158 South Park Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated August 14, 2025
• Staff presentation dated November 18, 2025 

Mayor Fillmore stepped down from the Chair and Deputy Mayor Cuttell assumed the Chair.

Shaoqiu Gong, Planner II gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Council.

The hearing opened at 1:15 p.m.

Deputy Mayor Cuttell noted that the property owner was not present.

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Morse

THAT the hearing be closed.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

The hearing closed at 1:15 p.m.

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor St-Amand

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 1158 South Park Street, Halifax, in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated August 14, 2025, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

Mayor Fillmore resumed the Chair.

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

Correspondence was received and circulated for item 15.2.1

For a detailed list of correspondence received refer to the specific agenda item.

13.2

Petitions

None

14.

INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD

None

15.

REPORTS

15.1

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

15.1.1

Second Reading Proposed By-law T-801, an Amendment to By-law T-800, Respecting Property Tax Billing for Tax Relief Recipients

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated September 10, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Steele

THAT Halifax Regional Council adopt By-law T-801, amending By-law T-800, the Property Tax Billing for Tax Relief Recipients By-law, as set out in Attachment 1 to the staff report dated September 10, 2025.

Peta Jane Temple, Team Lead Grants Tax & Special Projects responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.2

Amendments to Regional Centre SMPS and LUB - Grouped Site-Specific Applications for 2025/2026 (Cases MPSA-2025-01528, MPSA-2025-01629, MPSA-2025-01929, and MPSA-2025-02020)*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated October 26, 2025

The following motion was approved as part of the Consent Agenda:

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-law to reduce side and rear high-rise setback requirements for high-rise buildings in the Downtown Halifax Zone when the abutting property cannot achieve a high-rise building because of the Citadel Ramparts Sight Lines, as outlined in the staff report dated October 26, 2025 for MPSA-2025-01528.

2. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-Law to:

a. Change the urban structure designation from Established Residential to Higher-Order Residential;

b. Rezone from the Established Residential-3 Zone to the Higher-Order Residential-1 Zone;

c. Increase the maximum permitted height from 11 metres to 5 storeys; and

d. Reduce the minimum front yard setback from 4.0 metres to 1.5 metres for the lands located at 63 Jackson Road (PID 00056218) in Dartmouth as outlined in the staff report dated October 26, 2025 for MPSA-2025-01629.

3. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-Law to enable a site-specific development agreement option for a light industrial use on lands located at 4 Fernhill Drive (PID 41079807) and 386 Windmill Road (PID 41079799) in Dartmouth as outlined in the staff report dated October 26, 2025 for MPSA-2025-01929.

4. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-Law to reduce the minimum side setback above the streetwall from 4.5 metres to 0.0 metres for the lands located between Queen Street and Birmingham Street (PID 00077313) in Halifax as outlined in the staff report dated October 26, 2025 for MPSA-2025-02020.

5. Follow Administrative Order 2023-002-ADM Respecting Public Participation for Planning Documents, Certain Planning Applications, and Engagement with Abutting Municipalities for the required public participation program and as outlined in the staff report dated October 26, 2025.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.3

Bee City Resolution*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated October 10, 2025

The following motion was approved as part of the Consent Agenda:

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council endorse the Bee City Resolution as outlined in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated October 10, 2025.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.4

MPSREV-2025-02389 Update on Missing Middle Housing, Mass Timber and other Amendments in the Regional Centre SMPS & LUB*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated October 9, 2025

The following motion was approved as part of the Consent Agenda:

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. Initiate a process to consider amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Regional Centre Land Use By-Law to:

a) review urban design requirements for missing middle housing;

b) review built form requirements for mass-timber construction and identify opportunities to further support the construction of manufactured housing; and

c) undertake administrative changes to improve the administration of the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law.

2. Follow the public participation program as set out in the Community Engagement section of the staff report dated October 9, 2025.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.5

HRM Corporate User Fee Policy and Strategy*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated October 13, 2025

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Purdy

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve the HRM User Fee Policy & Guidelines as set out in Attachment 1 to the staff report dated October 13, 2025; and

2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to seek out and implement new user fee opportunities within each business unit in accordance with the new user fee policy.

Daniel Freeman, Senior Financial Consultant, Jerry Blackwood, Chief Financial Officer and Maggie MacDonald, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.6

Service Review Framework

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated November 10, 2025
• Staff presentation dated November 18, 2025

Jaqueline Pepper, Manager Corporate Performance and John Spekkens, Senior Performance Analyst gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOVED by Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Deagle Gammon

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve the Service Review Framework as set out in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated November 10, 2025, subject to yearly budgetary availability and approval.

2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out the actions contained in the Service Review Framework as part of the multi-year budgeting and business process.

3. Approve an unbudgeted reserve withdrawal from the Options Reserve, Q421 in the amount of $350,000 as per the Financial Implications section of the staff report dated November 10, 2025

4. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide annual progress reports on the implementation of the Service Review Framework to Regional Council.

Pepper, Spekkens, and Jerry Blackwood, Chief Financial Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.1.7

Updated Framework to Address Homelessness in HRM, 2026-28

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated November 18, 2025
• Staff presentation dated November 18, 2025

Rachael Boehm, Executive Director Community Safety, and Ashton Stephenson, Acting Director Housing & Homelessness gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Kent

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve the updated Framework to Address Homelessness in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and the related strategic actions, both as set forth in the Discussion section of the staff report dated November 18, 2025.

Boehm and Stephenson responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.2

TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE

15.2.1

2025 Road Safety Annual Report

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Transportation Standing Committee report dated October 23, 2025 with attached staff report dated October 10, 2025 
• Staff presentation dated November 18, 2025
• Correspondence from Martyn Williams and Bill Campbell

Sarah Rodger, Program Engineer, Road Safety & Transport gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

Roddy MacIntyre, Director Traffic & Parking Management, and Greg Robertson, Superintendent Support Division responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor White

THAT Halifax Regional Council receive the 2025 Road Safety Annual Report for information and presentation. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.3

NORTH WEST COMMUNITY COUNCIL

15.3.1

Hubbards Rural Sidewalks Area Rate and Boundary*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• North West Community Council report dated November 10, 2025 with attached staff report dated September 10, 2025

The following motion was approved as part of the Consent Agenda:

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve the community boundary of Hubbards, as shown in Attachment 1 of the staff report dated September 10, 2025, for an area rate of $0.021 per $100 of taxable property value, to be charged after substantial completion of the AT facility, consistent with the process outlined in Administrative Order 2022-008- ADM, the Rural Sidewalk Area Rates Administrative Order.

2. Pending approval of the area rate in Hubbards:

a. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to explore external funding opportunities with other orders of government to support the active transportation facilities in Hubbards; and

b. Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or their designate, to negotiate and enter into one or more agreements, and any amendments to those agreements, with the Province of Nova Scotia respecting the construction, operation, and maintenance of AT facilities in the provincial right-of way.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.4

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.4.1

Councillor White - Road Safety Communications

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Request for consideration form from Councillor White

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report to develop a positive HRM road safety messaging campaign evolving from the lessons learned during the Heads Up Halifax campaign and taking inspiration from leading vison zero municipalities across North America. The campaign shall use images of local real-world examples depicting all road users that will encourage changing behaviors that have the most impact on road safety outcomes. The campaign shall address road safety in ways that build community and promote a culture of respect among residents.

Lucas Pitts, Executive Director, Public Works responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Mancini

15.4.2

Councillor Hinch - Movement of the Halifax Regional Police Integrated Emergency Response Communicators

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Request for consideration form from Councillor Hinch

This matter was deferred during the approval of the Order of Business.

15.4.3

Councillor Austin - Road Safety Engineering

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Request for consideration form from Councillor Austin

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Morse

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report on options for Council to accelerate implementation of HRM’s Road Safety program as it relates to road design. The report, and/or a separate budget briefing note, should: 

1.  Provide short-term options for the 2026/2027 budget as a potential over budget item; and

2. Provide options to increase program implementation over the longer-term, similar to what has been previously done to scale up sidewalk construction and traffic calming.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against) 

In favour: Deputy Mayor Cuttell; Councillors Deagle Gammon, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand

Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Purdy, Young, Gillis

Not present: Councillor Mancini

16.

MOTIONS

16.1

Councillor Kent

MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Hendsbee

THAT Halifax Regional Council request a staff report and recommendations for expanding parking services at the Woodside Ferry Terminal. Report to include potential acquisition of land, restricting use for ferry users only, possible commissionaire supervision, gated key access and any other opportunities to expand availability of parking to serve the users of the Woodside Ferry and consider public space only with fee for service as a cost recovery. 

Councillor White proposed the inclusion of “micro mobility parking”. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.

The motion now read:

THAT Halifax Regional Council request a staff report and recommendations for expanding vehicular and micro mobility parking services at the Woodside Ferry Terminal. Report to include potential acquisition of land, restricting use for ferry users only, possible commissionaire supervision, gated key access and any other opportunities to expand availability of parking to serve the users of the Woodside Ferry and consider public space only with fee for service as a cost recovery.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

17.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council convene to In Camera (In Private) to discuss Item 17.2 PROPERTY MATTER and Item 17.3 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

17.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - October 28, 2025

This matter was dealt with in public.

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor Cleary

THAT the In Camera (In Private) minutes of October 28, 2025, be approved as circulated.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

17.2

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Private and confidential staff report dated November 3, 2025

This matter was dealt with In Camera (In Private) and ratified in public as follows:

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated November 3, 2025; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated November 3, 2025 be maintained private and confidential.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Not present: Councillor Mancini

17.3

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Private and confidential staff presentation dated November 18, 2025

This matter was dealt with In Camera (In Private)

17.4

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

This matter was deleted during the approval of the Order of Business.

18.

ADDED ITEMS

None

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

19.1 Councillor Hinch

TAKE NOTICE that, at a future meeting of Halifax Regional Council, I intend to move a motion to 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”

19.2 Councillor Gillis

TAKE NOTICE that, at the next regular Regional Council meeting, to be held on Tuesday, December 2, I intend to request a staff report to:

Amend By-Law C-50, 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.

20.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 21, 2025 re: Transfer of Provincial PID’s in HRM’s Road Boundary

21.2

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 10, 2025 re: Strategic Performance Report 2024/25

21.3

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 3, 2025 re: Award of Contracts–Quarterly Report July to September 2025

21.4

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated October 20, 2025 re: Legislative Update – Fall Sitting (2025)

21.5

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated November 10, 2025 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - None

21.6

Memorandum from the Chair, Halifax Water Board dated October 28, 2025 re: Halifax Water Annual Accountability Report

21.7

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated November 12, 2025 re: 2026-2030 Strategic Plan / Action Plan

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

22.1

Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report re: Personnel Matter