Mayor Fillmore stepped down from the Chair and Deputy Mayor Mancini assumed the Chair.
The following was before Halifax Regional Council:
- Staff report dated July 25, 2025
- Correspondence from Ralf Dreimanis, Clark Calnan, Julia Anctil, Ian Zinck, Tyler McKay, Molly Elliott, Ben Friedrich, Drew Moore, Bob Found, David Smith, Lisa Arblaster, Ann Davies, Scott Hendriks, Aaron Smith, Martha Mattson, Julie Post, Steven Schwinghamer, Adam Travis, Nina Cherry, James Friars, Kent Speiran, Jennie Dailey-O'Cain, Jillian Banfield, Steve Schwinghamer, Tynette Deveaux, Laurette Geldenhuys, Catherine Cervin, Scott Baker, Nick Pilon, Matt MacIntyre, Jen Parker, Myles Cloutier, Deborah Odell, Susan L. Joudrey, Kent Speiran, Jennie Dailey-O'Cain, Jillian Banfield, Steve Schwinghamer, Tynette Deveaux, Laurette Geldenhuys, Catherine Cervin, Scott Baker, Nick Pilon, Jen Parker, Myles Cloutier, Deborah Odell, Susan Joudrey, Adam Cox, David Trueman, Peggy Britton, Sydney Haines, Theresa Thomas, Adam Travis, Martyn Williams, Chris Geroux, Dan Peterson, Arlee Buchanan, Stephen Chisholm, Elisabeth Stones, Alison Lynes, Norm Collins, David Trueman, Justine McMillan, Hannah Rodgers, Dennis Gallant, Matthew Stones, Patrick McNeill, Daniel Pyke, Kellie Merrimen, Tara Warren, Derek Bellemore, Jacob White, Sara Kirk, and Marsha Stagg.
- Private and Confidential Handout dated August 1, 2025
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
1. rescind the July 8, 2025 motion with respect to Item 15.1.6 (as set forth in the Origin section of the staff report dated July 25, 2025);
2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to initiate additional functional planning and engagement for alternative cycling connections for the East Connection on Morris Street between University Avenue and Lower Water Street, as described in the July 8th Council report, and return to Regional Council with a recommendation on the preferred alternative cycling connection;
3. request the Mayor respond to the Premier’s July 16, 2025 letter advising of Regional Council’s direction to rescind the July 8th decision and that the Municipality will explore alternative cycling connections that do not require conversion of Morris Street to one-way traffic; and,
4. direct the CAO to carry out additional planning, design reassessment, and targeted stakeholder engagement for the proposed University Avenue portion of the Peninsula South Complete Streets project, prior to the commencement of preliminary and detailed design work, and provide a recommendation to Council as part of the report reviewing alternative network solutions and cost savings opportunities for the AAA bike network that was requested by Regional Council on June 24th, 2025.
Mayor Fillmore resumed the Chair.
John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer and Cathie O’Toole, 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 Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
1. rescind the July 8, 2025 motion with respect to Item 15.1.6 (as set forth in the Origin section of the staff report dated July 25, 2025);
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Purdy, Austin, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillors Kent, White, Hinch, Cleary, Cuttell
Not present: Councillor Morse
Councillor Cleary proposed an amendment regarding item 2 of the motion, to include engagement with EMC and the Port of Halifax to analyze the traffic flow and investigate the implications on emergency vehicles and port truck traffic. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.
MOVED by Coucillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Cuttell
THAT the motion be amended regarding item 2 to direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to initiate additional functional planning and engagement for alternative cycling connections for the East Connection on Morris Street between University Avenue and Lower Water Street, as described in the July 8th Council report, including the implications of one-way vehicle traffic on Morris Street and include engagement with EMC and the Port of Halifax to analyze the traffic flow and investigate on emergency vehicles and port truck traffic and return to Regional Council with a recommendation on the preferred alternative cycling connection.
John Traves, K.C., CD, Municipal Solicitor/Chief Governance Officer, Lucas Pitts, Executive Director of Public Works and Anguish Brad, Commissioner of Operations responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.
MOTION TO AMEND PUT AND PASSED. (10 in favour, 6 against)
In favour: Councillors Deagle Gammon, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Hendsbee, Purdy, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Morse
The motion as amended now read:
MOVED by Coucillor Austin, seconded by Councillor Cuttell
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to initiate additional functional planning and engagement for alternative cycling connections for the East Connection on Morris Street between University Avenue and Lower Water Street, as described in the July 8th Council report, including the implications of one-way vehicle traffic on Morris Street and include engagement with EMC and the Port of Halifax to analyze the traffic flow and investigate on emergency vehicles and port truck traffic and return to Regional Council with a recommendation on the preferred alternative cycling connection;
3. request the Mayor respond to the Premier’s July 16, 2025 letter advising of Regional Council’s direction to rescind the July 8th decision and that the Municipality will explore alternative cycling connections; and,
4. direct the CAO to carry out additional planning, design reassessment, and targeted stakeholder engagement for the proposed University Avenue portion of the Peninsula South Complete Streets project, prior to the commencement of preliminary and detailed design work, and provide a recommendation to Council as part of the report reviewing alternative network solutions and cost savings opportunities for the AAA bike network that was requested by Regional Council on June 24th, 2025.
Mark Nener, Supervisor, Active Transportation Planning, Brad and O'Toole responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to initiate additional functional planning and engagement for alternative cycling connections for the East Connection on Morris Street between University Avenue and Lower Water Street, as described in the July 8th Council report, including the implications of one-way vehicle traffic on Morris Street and include engagement with EMC and the Port of Halifax to analyze the traffic flow and investigate on emergency vehicles and port truck traffic and return to Regional Council with a recommendation on the preferred alternative cycling connection;
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (11 in favour, 5 against)
In favour: Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, White, Hinch, Cleary, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, St-Amand
Against: Mayor Fillmore, Councillors, Purdy, Young, Gillis
Not present: Councillor Morse
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
3. request the Mayor respond to the Premier’s July 16, 2025 letter advising of Regional Council’s direction to rescind the July 8th decision and that the Municipality will explore alternative cycling connections; and,
MOTION PUT AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Not present: Councillor Morse
MOVED by Mayor Fillmore, seconded by Councillor Gillis
THAT Halifax Regional Council:
4. direct the CAO to carry out additional planning, design reassessment, and targeted stakeholder engagement for the proposed University Avenue portion of the Peninsula South Complete Streets project, prior to the commencement of preliminary and detailed design work, and provide a recommendation to Council as part of the report reviewing alternative network solutions and cost savings opportunities for the AAA bike network that was requested by Regional Council on June 24th, 2025.
Brad responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (14 in favour, 2 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Mancini, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Cleary, Cuttell, Steele, Hartling, Young, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillors White, Hinch
Not present: Councillor Morse