Sam Austin
@samaustind5.bsky.social
📤 1851
📥 96
📝 280
Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor District 5 Dartmouth Centre
reposted by
Sam Austin
Suzanne Rent
2 days ago
Two of the geese at Sullivan's Pond in
#Dartmouth
had goslings!
#birds
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Happy day at Sullivans Pond!
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2 days ago
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Woohoo!
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3 days ago
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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...
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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 ...
https://samaustin.ca/e-news-may-2026/
3 days ago
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Today: Regional Centre Community Council agenda review and hoping to finalize my May e-newsletter.
4 days ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Halifax Regional Municipality
5 days ago
No matter how you’re traveling, everyone deserves to get where they’re going safely. In this video, Sgt. Brian Palmeter shares tips that pedestrians and cyclists can use to help stay safe. This follows our first video in the series focused on tips for drivers.
halifax.ca/RoadSafety
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Warm enough today for my first turtle spotting of 2026 at Sullivans Pond
5 days ago
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My Council blog from yesterday and a catch up on some other stuff I missed writing about during budget deliberations. HRM's new supplemental funding agreement with the HRCE, extra floors on Wyse Road and the M District redevelopment at Mic Mac Mall. My take here
samaustin.ca/council-upda...
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Council Update: School Libraries, Extra Floors, M District - Sam Austin
Agenda, May 12Agenda, March 10 Supplemental FundingThe major item on Council’s agenda yesterday was actually an in camera item, negotiations with the Halifax Centre for Education regarding supplementa...
https://samaustin.ca/council-update-school-libraries-extra-floors-m-district/
5 days ago
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Today: It's a Council day. A relatively quiet meeting. Agenda here
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
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Halifax Regional Council - May 12, 2026
https://pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=64fcd53d-d4ec-44cd-9921-37c0eedc70f7&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
6 days ago
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Today: News 95.7 to start, meeting with new commodore of Senobe and working on May my e-newsletter
7 days ago
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April bike stats!
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11 days ago
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DFO has rejected Atlantic Roads infill application in Dartmouth Cove!
@darrenfisherns.bsky.social
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Terri
about 2 months ago
In Halifax free transit for kids led to 52.4% reporting using transit as one of their primary ways to get to school, & 75.8% using transit for non-school related travel at least once per week. Over 85% said the transit pass made them feel more independent. The PC government is cutting it anyways.
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Halifax Regional Municipality
2 months ago
Exciting news! The Alderney Ferry will be FREE for March Break between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. beginning Monday, March 16, until Saturday, March 21, 2026, courtesy of @DowntownHalifax Taking a connecting bus? Remember, children 12 & under ride for free, and transfers are valid for 90 minutes.
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Why hello there! Spring!
2 months ago
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My March E-News. Student transit pass program in jeopardy, Wyse Road bus lane, ferry maintenance woes, King's Wharf, Lancaster Roundabout, Robie Street widening, Dartmouth Cove court drama and more. Read it here
samaustin.ca/e-news-march...
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E-News March 2026 - Sam Austin
News Student Bus Pass ProgramYou might have caught the news that, as part of Provincial budget cuts, the Province is eliminating funding for HRM’s student bus pass program. This will impact 36,000 jun...
https://samaustin.ca/e-news-march-2026/
2 months ago
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Bike count for February.
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2 months ago
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Today: A bit of a quiet one after the three all day budget marathons this week. Met with planning staff to start, CBC interview re student bus passes, tour of a development on Agricola to chat about single stair buildings. Capping the day off with Dartmouth High’s Sherlock Holmes production.
2 months ago
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Today: it’s been a busy day at City Hall with budget deliberations and we’re not done yet. Some big decisions around transit and road safety. Still lots more to go through tonight and tomorrow
2 months ago
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Today: It’s going to be a busy week at City Hall. Budget deliberations resume with the budget adjustment list. This week Council will decide on cuts, additional spending and set the tax bill. Lots of folks signed up for public participation today. Busy at security and gallery filling up
3 months ago
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It's back! Signal timing should be adjusted to clear 3 buses at once and some bus drivers were still using the car lanes, but the Bridge bus lane is operational again!
youtu.be/6evc0ZV6Fm8
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Bridge Bus Lane Returns!
YouTube video by Sam Austin
https://youtu.be/6evc0ZV6Fm8
3 months ago
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My Council blog from this week's meetings. Budget deliberations, North Woodside Park Plan, Wyse Road development and M District public hearing scheduled. Read it here
samaustin.ca/council-upda...
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Council Update: Budget, Woodside, Extra Floors, Micmac Mall Development - Sam Austin
Agenda, February 24 Budget:Council’s budget deliberations are nearing their conclusion. This past week we finished reviewing the last department, Fiscal Services. Fiscal Services are a sort of catch-a...
https://samaustin.ca/council-update-budget-woodside-extra-floors-micmac-mall-development/
3 months ago
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Good job by CTV putting voice to students that are potentially losing their bus passes
www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/vid...
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Nova Scotia ends funding for Halifax student bus pass program
The provincial government said it no longer support a pilot project that provided free transit passes to some students.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/video/2026/02/26/nova-scotia-ends-funding-for-halifax-student-bus-pass-program/
3 months ago
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Today: Transportation Standing Committee meets at 1:00 at City Hall. Emails and blog with the rest of the day
www.halifax.ca/city-hall/st...
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February 26, 2026 Transportation Standing Committee
Information and documentation for the February 26, 2026 Transportation Standing Committee meeting
https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/standing-committees/february-26-2026-transportation-standing-committee
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Halifax Regional Municipality
3 months ago
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the bus lane on Wyse Road at Nantucket Avenue will reopen on Monday, March 2. Details:
buff.ly/FPgteok
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Laura White, P.Eng.
3 months ago
The student bus passes offer GR 7-12 kids independence and shapes their lifelong transportation habits. ❤️🚍 NS gov plans to withdraw financial support ($1.2M) for this program in the next fiscal year. You can contact the education minister & premier with your thoughts.
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Kevin Wilson
3 months ago
Free parking, remove tolls, back to work orders, remove student transit passes. What... what would you do differently if you were the province and wanted to create the maximum amount of traffic humanly possible?
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Matt Stickland
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Suzanne Rent
3 months ago
What a dumb move by the province!
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Provincial budget fallout begins... The Province is walking away from funding for the student transit pass program. This is creating a $1.2 million dollar hole in HRM's budget and means the program where students get transit passes may not continue
3 months ago
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Today: Council resumes budget discussions, followed by Regional Council. A lot of District 5 on the agenda from Micmac Mall development, to Highfield bike lane, to extra floors illegally built at 168 Wyse and North Woodside Community Centre Park Plan
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
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Halifax Regional Council - February 24, 2026
https://pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=6d20d6b5-29f3-4e47-8479-aee2adeb752b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
3 months ago
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Sorry for the snow folks. It my fault. I have had the same meeting rescheduled three times now because it’s always storming on that day. Mark your calendars for March 6. Guaranteed snow day. Better bet than any weather forecast
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Brent Toderian
3 months ago
It’s really important that
#Vancouver’s
Downtown Business Association, who were originally against bike-lanes, are now among their most vigourous supporters, because of ACTUAL EVIDENCE that they’re better for downtown business than any street parking they replaced. Safe bike-lanes mean business.
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Brent Toderian
3 months ago
Bike-lanes don’t cause traffic congestion. Car dependency, dumb land-use sprawl, too many (& bigger) cars being driven too much taking up too much space, highly subsidized driving costs, and not enough choices in how to get around, ALL cause traffic congestion. Think about it. THAT’S common sense.
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A messy week at City Hall budget deliberations. My Council blog
samaustin.ca/council-upda...
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Council Update: Budget (Mayor's Office, Staffing) - Sam Austin
Mayor’s OfficeNew this year to budget deliberations, the Mayor’s Office presented as a stand-alone independent department. The Mayor has always been independent, just like everyone on Council. Each of...
https://samaustin.ca/council-update-budget-mayors-office-staffing/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Waterfront Media HFX
3 months ago
(Environment) "Proof! Eel Grass meadow verified in Dartmouth Cove!" ** Release
waterfrontmediahfx.the902hxir.ca/103531-2
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Today: Taking the corporate limo to City Hall for continued budget deliberations. Yesterday we concluded public participation and today we’re into department presentations. Mayors Office, Fiscal Services, Library, Corporate Services
3 months ago
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Today: Budget deliberations resume at City Hall with a lot of public presenters! 33 signed up last I heard. I wrote about where we are budget wise here
samaustin.ca/council-upda...
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Council Update: Austerity or Not? - Sam Austin
Council’s budget deliberations are well underway at City Hall. February is the busiest time of the year for Councillors as budget meetings fill up several additional days each week. So far, Council ha...
https://samaustin.ca/council-update-austerity-or-not/
3 months ago
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My Council blog from the last two weeks of budgeting. Austerity by surprise? Council will be considering major cuts on March 4.
samaustin.ca/council-upda...
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Council Update: Austerity or Not? - Sam Austin
Council’s budget deliberations are well underway at City Hall. February is the busiest time of the year for Councillors as budget meetings fill up several additional days each week. So far, Council ha...
https://samaustin.ca/council-update-austerity-or-not/
3 months ago
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This is a very brave thing this family is doing by sharing this obituary. Condolences to everyone who loved Erica
www.eastcoastmemorial.ca/obituaries/E...
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Obituary information for Erica Joy Axent Hilton
View Erica Joy Axent Hilton's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.
https://www.eastcoastmemorial.ca/obituaries/Erica-Joy-Axent-Hilton?obId=47247382
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Laura White, P.Eng.
3 months ago
Please join us to share your views about any business unit topic (not just the ones listed) on Wednesday.
add a skeleton here at some point
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Today: Budget deliberations continue with transit. Picking up where we left off with Councillor Hendsbee's motion to raise fares ($0.25 - $0.50), cancel free ferry on Canada Day/Natal Day, and eliminate special events support of free charter buses
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
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Budget Committee - February 11, 2026
https://pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=85a70dd2-2c04-450e-bc34-f1ebb903767c&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
3 months ago
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Bus lanes aren't empty
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3 months ago
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Today: Council budget deliberations will fill the day. Up for review today are the Transit and Public Safety budgets. This will no doubt spill into tomorrow, possibly Friday as well. Agenda and reports here
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
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Budget Committee - February 11, 2026
https://pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=85a70dd2-2c04-450e-bc34-f1ebb903767c&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
3 months ago
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Today: It's a Regional Council day. A relatively light meeting where Councillor/Mayor motions are the main items of debate
pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
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Halifax Regional Council - February 10, 2026
https://pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=3e344d1e-4c3a-49d8-a9a2-2526b8c2f455&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
3 months ago
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Today: On my way to Transportation Standing Committee where Transit’s Core Service Plan, and microtransit are on the agenda. Harbour East Community Council meets tonight
www.halifax.ca/city-hall/st...
3 months ago
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Bike count for January. Despite the cold and snow, HRMs 11 counters still recorded 15,400 bikes over the month (Dartmouth Cove counter only gave partial results due to maintenance). Down slightly from last January, but still ahead of January 2024
@stats.hfx.bike
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Austin
Uytae Lee
3 months ago
NEW VIDEO: The Bikeshare Dilemma Bikeshares and scootershares (also known as “Shared Micromobility) is one of the fastest growing forms of transportation on the planet today, but cities appear deeply divided on how to manage them.
youtu.be/qfz6AsYycA8
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The Bike Share Dilemma
YouTube video by About Here
https://youtu.be/qfz6AsYycA8
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Today: Budget deliberations continue with (1) Parks and Rec (2) Planning and (3) Property, Environment & Fleet
3 months ago
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Today: Budget deliberations continue with operations departments. The roster for the next three days (1) Major Projects Office, (2) Strategic Infrastructure & Transportation Planning (3) Public Works (4) Parks and Rec (5) Planning (6) Property, Environment & Fleet
3 months ago
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