HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL

MINUTES

Tuesday, September 23, 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 Tony Mancini
• 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 Patty Cuttell
• Councillor Janet Steele
• Councillor Nancy Hartling
• Councillor John Young
• Councillor Billy Gillis
• Councillor Jean St-Amand

Staff:

• Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer
• John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer
• Iain MacLean, Municipal Clerk
• Krista Vining, Team Lead, Legislative Assistants
• Dorothy Maponga, 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. 

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Councillors noted special community announcements and acknowledgements.

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 9, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor St-Amand

THAT the minutes of September 9, 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: None 

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 15.5.1 2026 Halifax Regional Council Meeting Schedule be considered prior to Item 15.1.1.

As provided for in section 12 (5) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, Councillor Morse requested that Information Item 21.1 Review of Halifax Transit Collisions be brought forward at a future Halifax Regional Council Meeting.

MOVED by Deputy Mayor Mancini, seconded by Councillor Austin

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:

• Items 15.1.2 Fall 2025 Temporary Borrowing Resolution & Debenture was removed from the consent agenda at the request of Mayor Fillmore
• Item 15.3.2 Orenda Canoe Club Request for HRM Funding was removed from the consent agenda at the request of Councillor Hendsbee

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items:

• 15.2.1 – Year End Financial Statements & Fourth Quarter Financial Report;
• 15.3.1 – 2025/26 Affordable Housing Grant Program Funding - Administrative Order 2025-003-ADM, Respecting Grants for Affordable Housing;
• 15.4.1 – Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Management Plan; and
• 15.5.2 – Treat Accessibly Day. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Purdy

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 - September 9, 2025

10.1

PLPROJ-2024-01075: Dartmouth Cove Water Lots (Amended)

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Amended staff report dated August 12, 2025
• Extract from the September 9, 2025 Halifax Regional Council draft minutes
• Correspondence from Jay Hackney, David Jones, Janice Fralic-Brown, Michael Diabo, Nicole Connor, Molly Trecker, Katharine Burns, Stephanie Hébert, Michael P. Blades, Andrew Steele Moore, Graeme Zinck, Joan M. Rankin, Sophie Arseneault-Drapeau

The following motion was on the floor from the September 9, 2025 meeting: 

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Kent

THAT Halifax Regional Council defer consideration of any amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-law concerning the Dartmouth Cove water lots until such time that the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization (DDWR) Project has returned to Regional Council for consideration. 

Dali Salih, Planner III, Luc Ouellet, Principal Planner and John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Deputy Mayor Mancini 

THAT Halifax Regional Council convene to In Camera (In Private) to discuss Legal Advice. 
 
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. 

Traves, Salih and Ouellet responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

The question was called on the main motion: 

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Kent

THAT Halifax Regional Council defer consideration of any amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Regional Centre Land Use By-law concerning the Dartmouth Cove water lots until such time that the Downtown Dartmouth Waterfront Revitalization (DDWR) Project has returned to Regional Council for consideration. 

MOTION PUT AND DEFEATED. (5 in favour, 12 against) 

In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Cuttell, Young, Gillis

Against: Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Kent, Purdy, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand

MOVED by Councillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Kent 

THAT Halifax Regional Council give First Reading to consider proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Regional Centre Land Use By-law, as set out in Attachments J and K of the staff report dated August 12, 2025, to restrict water lot development and infilling in Dartmouth Cove and schedule a public hearing.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 3 against) 

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

Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors Hendsbee, Gillis

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

HERITAGE HEARING

12.1

HRTG-2024-01522: Request to include 2316 Maynard Street, Halifax in the Registry of Heritage Properties for the Halifax Regional Municipality

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Heritage Advisory Committee report dated June 18, 2025 with attached staff report dated May 6, 2025
• Revised staff presentation dated September 23, 2025

Shaoqiu Gong, Planner I gave a presentation.

The hearing opened at 1:10 p.m.

Mayor Fillmore invited the property owner to come forward and address Halifax Regional Council. 

Elizabeth Ross, property owner spoke to the reasoning for the heritage status application, the importance of heritage designation of homes in the Creighton Fields community and the preservation of the community and its historical connections. 

MOVED by Councillor Hartling, seconded by Councillor Steele

THAT the hearing be closed. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED.

The hearing closed at 1:13 p.m.

MOVED by Councillor Hinch, seconded by Councillor Cuttell

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve the request to include 2316 Maynard Street, Halifax, in the Registry of Heritage Property for the Halifax Regional Municipality, as shown on Map 1 of the staff report dated May 6, 2025, as a municipal heritage property under the Heritage Property Act.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

Correspondence was received and circulated for item: 10.1. 

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

2026/2027 Budget Schedule

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated September 17, 2025
• Staff presentation dated September 23, 2025
• Handout dated September 23, 2025

Tyler Higgins, Manager Budget & Reserves gave a presentation.

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve the proposed 2026/27 Budget Schedule as outlined in the staff report dated September 17, 2025. 

Higgins, Dave Harley, Director of Financial Management and Operations, Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, Iain MacLean, Executive Director of City Hall Administration & Municipal Clerk and Jerry Blackwood, Executive Director of Finance and Asset Management/Chief Financial Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

15.1.2

Fall 2025 Temporary Borrowing Resolution & Debenture*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Staff report dated August 26, 2025
• Staff presentation dated September 23, 2025

MOVED by Deputy Mayor Mancini, seconded by Councillor Deagle Gammon

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve a Temporary Borrowing Resolution in the amount of $419,654,830 for financing of current debt-funded projects in-progress from the 2025/26 and prior capital budget's, per Attachment 1 of the staff report dated August 26, 2025;

2. Approve a Temporary Borrowing Resolution in the amount of $45,177,651 for financing of the debt-funded projects from previous capital budgets that have reached substantial completion and are eligible for Fall 2025 Debenture Issue application, per Attachment 2 of the staff report dated August 26, 2025; and

3. Authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to sign the Resolution for Pre-Approval of Debenture Issuance, subject to an interest rate not to exceed 7.0%, to enable the Halifax Regional Municipality to issue a debenture not to exceed 20-years, in the amount of $45,177,651, per Attachment 3 of the staff report dated August 26, 2025.

Jerry Blackwood, Executive Director of Finance and Asset Management/Chief Financial Officer gave a presentation and responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

Dave Harley, Director of Financial Management and Operations and Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

15.2

AUDIT COMMITTEE

15.2.1

Year End Financial Statements & Fourth Quarter Financial Report*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Audit Committee report dated September 17, 2025 with attached staff report dated September 5, 2025

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

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council approve:

1. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Halifax Regional Municipality for the year ended March 31, 2025;

2. The Statement of General Rate Surplus of the Halifax Regional Municipality for the year ended March 31, 2025;

3. Transfers to reserves of the following amounts to reduce the general rate surplus to zero:

• Q416 Operating Stabilization Reserve - $3.5M

4. The financial statements of the Halifax Regional Municipality Miscellaneous Trust Funds for the year ended March 31, 2025;

5. The appointment of KPMG to be the External Auditor for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026; and

6. The Fourth Quarter report for 2024/25 on District Capital, District Activity, Recreation Area Rates, Hospitality Expenses, and Expenses for Reportable Individuals.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Purdy

15.3

AUDIT AND FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE

15.3.1

2025/26 Affordable Housing Grant Program Funding - Administrative Order 2025-003-ADM, Respecting Grants for Affordable Housing*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Audit and Finance Standing Committee report dated September 17, 2025 with attached staff report dated July 4, 2025

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

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate $1,500,000 from the Density Bonus Reserve Q640 to fund projects in the Regional Centre under the Affordable Housing Grant Program.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Purdy

15.3.2

Orenda Canoe Club Request for HRM Funding*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Audit and Finance Standing Committee report dated September 17, 2025 with attached staff report dated July 24, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Decline the funding request from Orenda Canoe Club; and

2. Refer the Orenda Canoe Club to the HRM Community Grants program for consideration in fiscal 2026/27 for a capital grant valued up to $25,000.

John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

MOVED by Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Purdy

THAT the motion be amended to add part 3 to direct the CAO to provide a supplemental staff report indicating an alternative funding source for an additional $50,000 for the Orenda Canoe Club request in 2025-26.

Andy Conrad, Manager Community Partnerships responded to questions of clarification from the Halifax Regional Council. 

MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions of clarification from the Halifax Regional Council.

The motion as amended now read:

MOVED by Councillor Hendsbee, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Decline the funding request from Orenda Canoe Club; 
 
2. Refer the Orenda Canoe Club to the HRM Community Grants program for consideration in fiscal 2026/27 for a capital grant valued up to $25,000; and
 
3. Direct the CAO to provide a supplemental staff report indicating an alternative funding source for an additional $50,000 for the Orenda Canoe Club request in 2025-26.

MOTION AS AMENDED PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

15.4

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY STANDING COMMITTEE

15.4.1

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Management Plan*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee report dated September 4, 2025 with attached staff report dated July 30, 2025

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

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Approve the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Treatment and Management Plan, as set out in Attachment A of the staff report dated July 30, 2025;

2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to direct staff to initiate treatment of eastern hemlocks with a focus on the 15 priority parks identified within the HWA Treatment and Management Plan; and

3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to carry out the actions contained in the HWA Treatment and Management Plan as part of the multi-year budgeting and business planning process.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Purdy

15.5

EXECUTIVE STANDING COMMITTEE

15.5.1

2026 Halifax Regional Council Meeting Schedule

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Executive Standing Committee report dated September 15, 2025 with attached staff report dated July 3, 2025
• Handout dated September 23, 2025  

MOVED by Councillor Deagle Gammon, seconded by Councillor Kent

THAT Halifax Regional Council adopt the proposed 2026 Regional Council meeting schedule as outlined in Attachment 1 of the report dated September 15, 2025.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

15.5.2

Treat Accessibly Day*

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Executive Standing Committee report dated September 15, 2025 with attached staff report June 4, 2025

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

MOVED by Councillor Cleary, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council recognizes October 16th annually as Treat Accessibly Preparation Day.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Purdy

15.6

TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE

15.6.1

Proposed Amendments to Administrative Order 2021-005-OP, Respecting Traffic Calming

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Transportation Standing Committee report dated August 21, 2025 with attached staff report dated May 26, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Purdy, seconded by Councillor Hinch

THAT Halifax Regional Council adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 2021-005-OP, the Administrative Order Respecting Traffic Calming, as shown in Attachment 2 of the staff report dated May 26, 2025.

Roddy MacIntyre, Director Traffic & Parking Management and Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (15 in favour, 1 against) 

In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Hinch, Morse, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand

Against: Councillor White

Not present: Councillor Cleary

15.7

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.7.1

Councillor White – Parking Benefit Districts and Dynamic Pricing

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Request for Consideration form from Councillor White

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor St-Amand

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report that investigates the potential to create parking benefit districts (PBDs) and the institution of dynamic pricing for on-street parking.

Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council. 

As provided for in section 90 of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the motion was separated for voting purposes.

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor St-Amand

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report that investigates:

1. the potential to create parking benefit districts (PBDs).

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 7 against) 

In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Cuttell, Steele, St-Amand

Against: Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Hartling, Young, Gillis

MOVED by Councillor White, seconded by Councillor St-Amand

THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide a staff report that investigates:

2. the institution of dynamic pricing for on-street parking.

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 7 against) 

In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand

Against: Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Cuttell, Young, Gillis

16.

MOTIONS

None

17.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

MOVED by Deputy Mayor Mancini, seconded by Councillor Cuttell 

THAT Halifax Regional Council convene to In Camera (In Private) to discuss Item 17.2 PERSONNEL MATTER. 
 
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. 

17.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - September 9, 2025

This matter was dealt with in public.

MOVED by Deputy Mayor Mancini, seconded by Councillor Gillis

THAT the minutes of September 9, 2025 be approved as circulated. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED. 

17.2

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

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

The following was before Halifax Regional Council:

• Private and confidential staff report dated August 27, 2025

MOVED by Councillor Kent, seconded by Councillor Hartling

THAT Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated August 27, 2025; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated August 27, 2025 be maintained private and confidential. 

MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 

Not present: Councillor Cleary

18.

ADDED ITEMS

None

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

19.1 Councillor Cleary 

TAKE NOTICE that at a future meeting of the Halifax Regional Council I intend to move a motion to amend Administrative Order 1, Respecting the Procedures of the Council. The purpose of the amendment is to codify a process for responding to Audits from the Auditor General for Halifax Regional Municipality. This includes requirements to ensure an Action Plan is provided by staff within three (3) months of the Audit being presented to the Audit and Finance Standing Committee, and a Status Update provided on staff's Action Plan within 12 months of the Audit presentation.

19.2 Councillor Austin

TAKE NOTICE that, at a future meeting of Halifax Regional Council, I intend to move a motion to approve interim amendments to Administrative Order 46, Respecting HRM Asset Naming Policies, and Administrative Order 29, Respecting HRM Civic Addressing Policies, until an updated policy framework is adopted to ensure that asset naming and renaming is held to a standard of public engagement and follows transparent and standardized processes.

20.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated July 8, 2025 re: Review of Halifax Transit Collisions

21.2

Memorandum from the Chair of Board of Police Commissioners dated September 3, 2025 re: Update on the HRM response to the Halifax Independent Civilian Review into August 18, 2021, Encampment Evictions

21.3

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated September 15, 2025 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - None 

21.4

Memorandum from the Chair of Audit and Finance Standing Committee dated September 17, 2025 re: First Quarter 2025/26 Financial Report

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

22.1

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

22.2

Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report re: Legal Advice