Sam Austin
@samaustind5.bsky.social
Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor District 5 Dartmouth Centre
Hoping this story can be updated, this was absolutely not HRM that removed her camp. HRM provides notice, and doesn't throw out people's stuff. We're not perfect, but have come a long way over the last few years and try to treat people with empathy and dignity
The Chronicle Herald@thechronicleherald.bsky.social · 2w agoHomeless Dartmouth woman says her camp was destroyed without notice, husband’s ashes thrown in garbage www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
Today: Meeting with a resident around creating a Maynard Lake community group, Downtown Dartmouth regarding the Alderney wharf, interview with Global on transit, and catching up with Halifax MP Shannon Miedema
The Stadacona Band playing on point at Halifax Pride Parade passing by the Y
Today: Open hour at Cottage Cafe on Prince Albert Road. I’ll be there from 10:00-11:00. Meeting with staff regarding active transportation trips to school, and CBC Info Morning to talk transit with Councillor Mancini
Today: Meeting with consultants on Access-a-Bus review, Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre BBQ and then Pride flag raising at City Hall
Today: Halifax Regional Council meets. It's a jammed agenda! pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Halifax Regional Council - July 14, 2026
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com
In other words, libraries close or municipalities make up the shortfall resulting from years and years of the Province holding funding flat while costs grew. Outside of HRM, libraries are mostly funded by the Province so asking counties and small towns to fill the gap... that's hard for them to do!
Michael Gorman@michaeltgorman.bsky.social · 4w agoCCTH Minister Dave Ritcey says he and his department are still talking with Annapolis Valley Regional Library officials but there will be no additional provincial money to help stave off pending closures of five branches.
In addition to the Canada Day and Canoe ‘26 fun this weekend, enjoy another FREE concert featuring Cyndi Cain on Sunday, July 5, 2026 beginning at 2pm! Bring your lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy the concert! #Punamukwatijk #DowntownDartmouth
My June E-news. Big Albro naturalization, Yellow Floating Heart at Little Albro, Crathorne Park closure, safety at Shirley's Splash Pad, Canoe 2026, Henry Findlay Park, and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-june-...
E-News June 2026 - Sam Austin
Big Albro NaturalizationThere have been some big changes at Big Albro Beach! The naturalization project that HRM has been planning since last year has launched! HRM staff and volunteers, including som...
samaustin.ca
A mere three hundred and fifty percent
Isaac Callan@isaaccallan.bsky.social · last mo.NEW: Barely half a year after the provincial government ordered Toronto to stop issuing speeding tickets from the cameras it had set up across the city, staff say the number of drivers blasting past the limit has increased more than 350%. #Topoli #OnPoli globalnews.ca/news/1193652...
My Council blog from yesterday's meeting. Cricket on the Dartmouth Common and potential affordable housing on Pinecrest Drive. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Dartmouth Common Cricket, Pinecrest Housing - Sam Austin
Agenda, June 23 Dartmouth Common CricketIt was a relatively light Council meeting (for the public portion anyway), but there were two District 5 items on the agenda. Up first was the potential convers...
samaustin.ca
Not a normal day at City Hall! The AG's report into spending at the Mayor's Office raises serious questions and has sparked a police investigation samaustin.ca/mayors-offic...
Mayor's Office Audit - Sam Austin
I don’t normally write a Council Blog about proceedings at HRM’s standing committees since most of what happens at Committee eventually rolls up to Regional Council, but today wasn’t an ordinary Audit...
samaustin.ca
Residents are invited to attend the Dartmouth Sunshine Series, an all-summer concert and entertainment series taking place at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal and Sullivan’s Pond Park. All events are free to attend and no tickets are required. Details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/re...
(Transit) Halifax Regional Municipality is hosting SailGP 2026 from June 19 to 21 ** Release waterfrontmediahfx.the902hxir.ca/halifax-regi...
My Council update from yesterday! The major item was the future of the Memorial Library. Also approved allowing alcohol at an upcoming Sullivan's Pond concert. Info Report on Dartmouth Common cricket pitch was brought forward and will be discussed June 23. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Memorial Library, Alcohol at Sullivan's Pond - Sam Austin
Agenda, June 16 Memorial LibraryThe fate of the Memorial Library was back before Council. Before us was a motion to discontinue the park plan and go out with a request for proposals to reuse the build...
samaustin.ca
Participatory Budgeting results for 2026! This time a vote wasn't required as the asks from District 5 non-profits were slightly less than the available funding. So everyone won! Details on the projects that will receive funding here samaustin.ca/participator...
Participatory Budgeting 2026 - Sam Austin
The participatory budgeting process for District 5’s capital fund has concluded! Seven non-profit groups from District 5 applied for funding this year. The overall requested amount was $42,000, which ...
samaustin.ca
We're advising residents that the Christopher Stannix ferry will return to service at 12:45 p.m. today, May 29. The Alderney ferry will then operate on its usual schedule of every 15 minutes on weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Details: buff.ly/pEIrfOB
Ferry's back!
Halifax Regional Municipality@hfxgov.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe're advising residents that the Christopher Stannix ferry will return to service at 12:45 p.m. today, May 29. The Alderney ferry will then operate on its usual schedule of every 15 minutes on weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Details: buff.ly/pEIrfOB
My Council update from yesterday's meeting. Waiving fares on the Alderney Ferry, and Dartmouth Cove development charges (no not that Dartmouth Cove, the vacant former industrial lands on Canal and Skokomul Streets) samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Ferry Fares, Dartmouth Cove Development Charges, Affordable Housing - Sam Austin
Agenda, May 26 Ferry Fare ForgivenessThe major item for District 5 was a motion I put forward to waive fares on the Alderney Ferry on weekdays for the month of June. My reason for the motion is becaus...
samaustin.ca
It's incredibly disappointing to have a third ferry down for the count! HRM doesn't control the availability of proprietary parts, but that doesn't change the real disruption to people's lives. I have submitted an added item for tomorrow's Council meeting to waive fares on the Alderney Ferry
Halifax Regional Municipality@hfxgov.bsky.social · 3mo agoStarting today at 2:15 p.m., the Alderney Ferry service will run every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. This reduced schedule will apply on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. until further notice. Details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/al...
Today: Resuming Open Hour at Marco Polo. I'll be there 9:30-11:00. Anyone is welcome to bend my ear for 5-10 minutes, no appointment necessary... but sometimes there is a short line! This afternoon interview with some university researchers studying speed limit reduction
Today: Chamber of Commerces State of the Municipality lunch. Mayor’s speech to come. Dartmouth North Neighbourhood Watch tonight
Woohoo!
Halifax Regional Municipality@hfxgov.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe Vincent Coleman ferry will return to service at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19 following successful testing and sea trials. We look forward to welcoming you back on board at Alderney and thank you for your patience. Details: buff.ly/k02NU1c
My May E-news. Participatory budgeting, Silvers Hill Trail, fluoride update, scooters on the ferry, a whack of survey and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-may-2...
E- News May 2026 - Sam Austin
News 2026 Participatory Budgeting:Participatory budgeting is returning to District 5 on June 2! Participatory budgeting gives residents a chance to have a direct say in how District 5’s capital funds ...
samaustin.ca
Today: Regional Centre Community Council agenda review and hoping to finalize my May e-newsletter.