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Halifax business commission CEO says no cars on Argyle ‘great idea’

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The CEO of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission says the timing is right to make Argyle Street pedestrian only, all year round.

Halifax Council passed a motion this week to have CAO Marnie Cluckie draft a bylaw that would make the stretch between Prince and Blowers Streets car free every day of the year.

Right now, the downtown roadway is closed to vehicles in the warmer six months of the year but open during the winter.

Paul MacKinnon tells Acadia News in an interview, closing off vehicles on Argyle year-round is something they’ve been in support of for a while.

“This is kind of that next logical step,” says MacKinnon.

MacKinnon says the business commission was very involved in the street landscape project in 2016, designed to make Argyle “the heart of our entertainment district.”

That project involved removing curbs and widening sidewalks as well as asphalt resurfacing.

Business roadblock

Before the motion goes through, MacKinnon says there are still a few things that need to be ironed out including deliveries for businesses.

“That’s really what the Council motion was about,” explains MacKinnon. “Let’s put a little work into how we can still make sure businesses get their loading.”

According to Councillor Laura White’s website, the motion also includes mitigating concerns about accessible parking drop off, heightened awareness of pedestrians and what impact it would have on the four-year capitol plan and operating budgets.

MacKinnon says once they can figure everything out, the move will make the street even more popular.

“Often it’s the entertainment districts where the bars are and the restaurants and theatres,” says MacKinnon. “We’ve been building toward this for quite some time now.”

Exciting time for Halifax

Another major project that could come to fruition in Halifax is a $70 million stadium for The Wanderers; the city’s professional soccer team.

The owners of the team have submitted a proposal to Council to pay for and build the facility on the current grounds.

It would seat more than 10,000 with 650 underground parking spaces for those at the QEII.

MacKinnon says although the building would not be right downtown, there is a massive spin-off for businesses.

“This actually just opens up that space even more,” explains MacKinnon. “I think it’s a great opportunity and hopefully we’ll see that move ahead.”

He says, despite the daily narrative over challenges with growth and traffic congestion, there should also be chatter about better amenities that come with a larger population.

“A much more improved waterfront that attracts visitors but also a great place for locals,” says MacKinnon.

MacKinnon adds, there is no question we need to improve traffic and housing but the “trade-off” of a growing city is that there are more opportunities around entertainment.

“I think we need to keep this momentum going. We need to be investing in things that make [Halifax] a great place to live.”

Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree

Nearly $2 million to prevent youth gun violence in Halifax

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Nearly $2 million will go towards youth programs to help stop gun violence before it happens in Halifax.

Tuesday morning’s announcement from the federal government is part of a national program to build safer communities.

Andrew Matthews, Deputy Chief with the Halifax Regional Police, says our city is growing, and we can’t leave anyone behind.

“That’s why investments like this are so important. They help us ensure people have access to the support and opportunities that they need to make important positive choices and have a brighter future,” Matthews told reporters on Tuesday.

Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree also spoke at the news conference. He said the goal is to support at-risk youth, and to help them build one-on-one relationships to guide them away from guns and gangs.

As an example, he said it could go toward a tutor to help get a student back on track or back into school. Or it could go toward an evening basketball program.

From right to left, Deputy Chief Andrew Matthews with Halifax Regional Police, Mayor Andy Fillmore, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. PHOTO: Jacob Moore/Acadia Broadcasting

Those are important, because although the government is working on important changes to the criminal justice system, they “cannot arrest our way out of conflict,” says Anandasangaree.

The $1.98 million in funding comes as part of a federal program. It was initially announced in 2022 with $250 million in funding, and then it was renewed in March with $157.7 million to be spent over the next three years, according to a news release.

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore also spoke Tuesday. He says no government can create safer communities on its own. They need to work with community groups, first responders, families, and residents to find real solutions.

“Most importantly, I want to say thank you to the people all across HRM doing this work every single day, often quietly, often one relationship with one person at a time. And that is how violence is prevented,” says Fillmore.

legislature

Have your say on Halifax’s next municipal budget

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A chance to weigh in on spending as Regional Council gets prepared for the 2027/28 municipal budget.

Starting Thursday, October 1, you’ll be able to speak with Mayor Andy Fillmore in sessions that will run through until the end of the month.

The city says residents continue to face significant affordability pressures while a growing municipality requires investment and services and infrastructure.

Fillmore says the upcoming budget will require clear choices.

“Residents are facing higher costs everywhere they turn, but we still need to invest in the services and infrastructure our growing region requires,” says Mayor Fillmore. “We can’t do everything at once, so we need to decide what matters most.”

About 136 residents have answered an online survey as of Monday. According to Fillmore concerns include things like taxes, housing and public safety.

Fillmore says before he decides on priorities he wans to hear from people.

Prospect Road Community CentreThurs., Oct. 1 – 6 to 7 p.m.Bedford-Hammonds Plains Community CentreThurs., Oct. 8 – 6 to 7 p.m.
East Dartmouth Community CentreTues., Oct. 13 – 6 to 7 p.m.North Preston Community CentreThurs., Oct. 22 – 10 to 11 a.m.
Halifax Central Common Multi-Purpose RoomThurs., Oct. 22 – 6 to 7 p.m.Eastern Shore Community CentreSat., Oct. 24 – 11 a.m. to 12 noon
Musquodoboit Valley Recreation OfficeSat., Oct. 24 – 1 to 2 p.m.Sheet Harbour Lions ClubSat., Oct. 24 – 3 to 4 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Community CentreWed., Oct. 28 – 2 to 3 p.m.

MAGNETIC WORLD

11 arrests, safety concerns at Magnetic World music festival in Halifax

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Eleven arrests and concerns about safety after thousands attended Magnetic World’s music festival in downtown Halifax over the weekend.

The two-day event for all ages, took over the Garrison Grounds Friday and Saturday night with performances by artists such as Akon, Alesso, Neo and Classified.

According to comments on social media, concert goers stood in line for hours amid huge crowds waiting to get on the hill, creating fear among some.

According to police, fights broke out within the entrance Friday as well as inside the venue and six were arrested on charges related to alcohol. Some were treated for minor injuries.

“Halifax Regional Police’s Public Safety Unit was in and around the concert last night and will be there again tonight to support with crowd management,” said police to Acadia News in an email.

The Magnetic World team responded with a statement Saturday morning saying safety and experience was top priority.

They said there were “significant adjustments” to the entry process for the final night including “changes to the entrance layout, guest flow and ticket scanning process.”

Videos and photos posted to social media show a packed hill on night two with crowds cheering.

However, five more were arrested on Saturday, also on alcohol related charges.

Magnetic World came to Halifax for the first time in 2023.

Andy Fillmore

Halifax mayor heads to Ottawa to talk defence, housing

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The mayor of Halifax is heading to Ottawa this week to talk about defence, housing and infrastructure with federal and municipal officials from across Canada.

The city says Mayor Andy Fillmore will focus on preparing Halifax for the economic and population growth expected from federal investments into national defence.

These include the submarine contract that will see a German company build a new fleet of 12. The mayor called the July announcement in Halifax one of Canada’s most “consequential defence procurements in a generation.”

In addition to that, in March the federal government announced more than $2 billion into upgrading the dockyard and Stadacona in Halifax as well as two new hangars in Greenwood.

Fillmore says we have an enormous opportunity in front of us.

“Major defence investments will create jobs, grow businesses, and bring more workers and families to our region,” says the mayor in a statement. “We need to make sure the housing, infrastructure, and services that support that growth keep pace.”

He will also participate in a summit on housing and the economy.

“Housing is economic infrastructure,” says Fillmore. “People need somewhere they can afford to live.”

The mayor adds, City Hall needs to use the tools within their control to make it easier to build while working with other governments to deliver the infrastructure.

gasleak

‘Night and day’: Dutch Village overhaul nearly complete

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It was years in the making, but the end of a major redevelopment of one of the busiest streets in Halifax is nearly here.

According to Councillor Kathryn Morse, there are just a few “finishing touches” left.

In a lengthy post on social media, Morse said the overhaul of Dutch Village Road was a $10 million project that has been ongoing since 2025, approved by council in 2020.

She said it was spurred by safety issues due to the street never being fully completed. One study found that between 2015 and 2017 there were 56 collisions.

“Although it was a busy commercial street with 16,000 vehicles per day add lots of foot traffic, for many years Dutch Village Road lacked the basics,” said Morse.

She said bus stops were piles of dirt, crosswalks were poorly marked, there was a missing sidewalk and lots of illegal parking.

Since the overhaul, there are now parallel parking spots, curbs, separated bike lanes and sidewalks.

“It feels calmer, safer and more inviting.”

‘Night and day’

The project caused a lot of disruption for business owners.

In a previous interview with Acadia News Morse said they knew it was coming but had a greater impact than anticipated.

“There was a lot of warning, but still, I think the interruption was more extensive than many expected and it certainly has been difficult,” explained Morse.

However, she expects businesses to improve in the next year or so.

Several months later, Morse said a resident reached out to her in an email so say that the difference is night and day.

“I cannot express how thankful I am for the redevelopment of this street,” reads the email. “It is now much more busy with foot traffic, cyclists and cars are forced to slow down.”

Although the resident said they nearly “lost my mind” during the construction, it was “worth it”.

“It may be the most effective redevelopment of a street that I’ve ever seen in Halifax.”

What is left…

Most of the work is done but Morse said there are a few things to do.

A mural was added last week near Frederick Avenue but heritage signs and bike lane straightening along that stretch are also needed.

In addition, Morse said, there was a slight complication to landscaping due to a “plant thief” but sod will be added.

Mackay Bridge

Liberals pushing for answers on cost of replacing MacKay Bridge in Halifax

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We are just less than 15 years away from needing to replace the MacKay Bridge and the Liberals are grilling the Houston government for answers on how it would be paid for.

The fall sitting of the legislature wrapped up on Friday but not before MLA for Lunenburg West Becky Druhan pushed for answers on privatization.

“The premier is offering the MacKay Bridge to private investors,” said Druhan. “Private investors are not charities. They expect a return.”

Tim Houston was in Toronto last week at a global investment summit looking for investors for 20 projects in Nova Scotia. Druhan said, the MacKay Bridge was one of them.

It was part of the 2024 spring budget to remove the tolls from the Macdonald and MacKay bridges. It was estimated they brought in about $40 million a year.

Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said they are unsure of what the return of investment will be, but one thing is certain, the tolls will not go back on the bridge.

“There are many ways to recoup and investment,” said Tilley.

In July, the province put out a tender to hire a consultant to look at all the options available to replace the MacKay including building a new one or creating a tunnel between Halifax and Dartmouth.

At that time, Peter Hackett, the deputy minister of Link Nova Scotia said he could not confidently say it would get done on time.

The deadline to hire a consultant and get them working is October 21. The deadline for the final study is May 31, 2028.

Andy Fillmore

Halifax reviewing U.S. bid penalties in response to tariffs

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Halifax Regional Council has unanimously approved a motion aimed at strengthening the municipality’s response to U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions.

The motion, introduced by Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore, calls for options to increase the municipality’s existing 10 per cent evaluation penalty on certain American bids for services, consulting and goods.

The chief administrative officer is expected to return to council with recommendations by Oct. 27.

Halifax Regional Municipality already applies the penalty to certain American bids, but officials say it has not changed the outcome of a municipal contract to date.

“We cannot control the decisions being made in Washington, but we can control the choices we make here at City Hall,” Fillmore said.

“Municipal procurement is one of the tools available to us. We should be using it as effectively as possible to support Canadian businesses and workers.”

The motion comes as the United States has increased tariffs on Canadian goods and restricted Canadian companies from competing for many U.S. federal government contracts.

“When the rules of trade change, our response has to change with them,” Fillmore said.

“Every dollar we spend should deliver good value for taxpayers while maximizing the economic benefit here at home.”

The review builds on previous work by the municipality.

In February 2025, regional council directed officials to examine legal and practical options to limit or eliminate procurement from U.S. companies and U.S.-origin goods and services.

The motion is also the latest in a series of measures introduced by Fillmore to support businesses and strengthen Halifax’s economy.

Earlier this year, regional council unanimously approved motions directing the municipality to develop options for a formal process allowing businesses to identify red tape, barriers and inefficiencies, and to review sidewalk patio permit fees.

Reports on those initiatives are expected this fall.

Fillmore has also written to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, calling on governments to use available tools to strengthen Canada’s economy in response to U.S. trade measures.

“City Hall should be a partner in building a stronger economy,” Fillmore said.

“That means reducing unnecessary barriers, keeping costs down where we can, and putting our purchasing power to work for Canadian businesses and workers.”

halifax police car

Man facing charges after women were followed into their Halifax apartments

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A man is facing charges after he followed women into their apartments near Spring Garden Road.

Police say there were three separate incidents on September 10 and 11 where the man followed the women up to their floor.

In one incident he tried to follow a woman into her apartment unit.

There were no reported injuries.

The 29-year-old suspect was arrested September 13 for mischief, criminal harassment and break and enter.

halifax police car

Police investigating late afternoon shooting in Halifax

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Police are looking for information after a report of shots fired in Halifax late Monday afternoon.

Police say it happened around 3:45 p.m. on Duffus Street between Lynch Street and Jarvis Lane. When officers arrived on scene, evidence suggested shots were fired.

About an hour later, a vehicle that appeared to have been shot at was found at a home nearby on Barrington Street.

Police believe the two are related and no injuries reported.

If you have information you are asked to call police.

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