Each of the five candidates responded to the FHC survey. These include Bill Carr, Shaun Clark, Incumbent Shawn Cleary, Stephen Foster and Gerry Lonergan. See details below:
Bill Carr
Phone: 902.717.7713
Email: bill@billcarrdistrict9.ca
1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? Yes.
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? Yes.
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? Yes.
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. There is no reason why the Wanderer’s Grounds should not be a shared space with amateur teams. Perhaps an agreement could be reached with the professional team and its owners for a co-operation with amateur and school teams to lift the game up in HRM.
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? Yes.
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate. The previous master plan lacked teeth, which is why so much has happened that violates, if not the letter of the plan, certainly its spirit. Given this recent experience with Covid and the changing nature of the downtown developments I feel it is even more imperative to protect green spaces and recreation spaces in the core. The plan should be revamped with major input from the citizens of the city. I would propose citizen circles from every district, as a mechanism for discussion and input. The city core and the Common is just that – it is common to us all. That is why this sort of widespread input is necessary. Then there here must be assurance that that critical input will be carefully considered in any decisions going forward. It mustn’t just be listening sessions then move ahead with the plan the ‘city planners’ want.
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Shaun Clark
Phone: 902.443.0557
Email: shaun.clark2020@gmail.com
1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? Oh gosh yes, this sounds like an awesome idea to me. I remember going to the Bell Road campus of the community college, and I remember what we had then with what we have now and see the loss, thinking about what my children are missing out on.
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? If they are not on the common themselves, then no. We need more housing in this city, and apartments are what are going up, from what I’ve read.
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? Not especially on the peninsula, but everywhere. On the corner of Alton and Kelly street there used to be a retirement home that now holds a vacant lot. That could be a nice place for a park for families.
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. I was curious when they went in there why stadium seating went up, I hadn’t realized soccer was so popular here. Personally, I think the space should be a shared space, especially if the Wanderers are not paying full rent for it. Then why can’t that space be shared with other amateur teams or players? Priority could be given to the Wanderers for booking, but still allow time and space for amateur teams.
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? On the CBC site, no. I regret the loss of the community garden where QE2 High used to be, but we could have that be part of it. Where the museum is now, if we put it on that direct site, what would happen to the museum? If it goes where the museum has their current parking, without taking any green space, the Bengal Lancers might be pushed even further away. I am not a horse person, but I respect the tradition that they bring to the community, and do not like the idea of them being pushed further away. While I would support it on the CBC site, I’d oppose it on the museum site, because I don’t want to lose green space or the Lancers.
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate
I liked the 1994 plan, I probably would say as long as the buildings are not actually on what I thought of as The Commons (as I did not know the old CBC building or museum were considered The Commons, and I’ve lived here my whole life) or taking away the green space we already have, I’m ok with building where existing buildings are.
I liked the 1994 version, I’m ok with buildings going up outside The Common, it’s a slight contradiction, but I have to try everything I can for affordable housing in the city, and that includes putting expensive buildings up in hopes that vacancy will go up.
I would like to see more spaces for urban gardening, other than that I like The Commons as it seems now. I only go with my children once in a while, and I have to admit the swimming and splash area needs an upgrade, and I will be very upset if we lose more space near the Lancers, I love watching them with my children and don’t want them to feel pushed out.
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Shawn Cleary
Phone: 902.830.5911
Email: shawn@shawnclearyhalifax.ca
1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? (Yes or No) Yes
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? (Yes or No)
To make Halifax more environmentally and financially more sustainable, we must re-densify the urban core. The negative impacts are overstated in the above preamble and question, especially the traffic impact, since over half of residents on the peninsula walk, cycle, or take transit to work. Low-density suburban sprawl causes greater traffic impacts.
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? (Yes or No) YES
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. There has actually been no change in the booking process for amateur athletes or other groups for the Wanderer’s Grounds. The Grounds are rented to the Wanderers soccer team for only a limited number of bookings.
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? (Yes or No) The current Council and individual Councillors have been opposing the province on the Parkade (please read the news on this). Unfortunately, the province owns the land it is building the parkade on and does not have to follow municipal bylaws.
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate. The public has been and will continue to be engaged in what it wants on the Common. Please see the Master Planning process and documents at https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/halifax-common-master-plan
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Stephen Foster
Email: Stephenfosterdistrict9@gmail.com
1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? (Yes or No) Yes
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common i.e. Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? (Yes or No) No
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? (Yes or No) Yes
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. This is an issue that I’d want to look into more before offering any concrete proposals. I do think the Wanderer’s have been a great boon to Halifax, and I hope that they continue to enjoy success here – I really enjoy going to their games myself. However, I don’t see any reason why their presence should preclude amateur teams from having access to the field. Plenty of sports facilities share time between professional and amateur athletes, and I think the same should be happening here.
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? (Yes or No) No
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate. I’m familiar with the 1994 plan, but I’d need to do more research before I could comment on its merits in an informed way. For now I’ll just say that I think the Halifax Common is one of the jewels of the city, and we need to make sure we preserve it, and continue to improve it. Personally I’d like to see more spaces for public art – among many other things. Obviously I answered “no” to a few questions above (and I was frustrated that I wasn’t given the space to explain those answers), but I hope readers will trust that I really do value the Common, and that it would have an ally in me if I made it to council. I grew up playing there as a kid, and I want to ensure that future generations are able to do the same.
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Gerry Lonergan
Email: gerald.lonergan@gmail.com
1. There has been gradual but constant loss of public-use open space from the Halifax Common’s 245 acres. In the HRM Charter there is a legislated protection for preserving the integrity of the Dartmouth Common. Would you commit to establishing a similar law to protect the integrity of the Halifax Common? (Yes or No) Of the 245 acres of common area given to the people of halifax, only 20% remains. I commit to establishing bylaws to protect the Integrity of the commons. This land belongs to everybody, it is public land.
2. Proposals for 4 high rise towers on the Halifax Common in the Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road area are proceeding through the HRM Development Agreement process. If approved these will negatively impact public enjoyment of remaining open green space on the south Halifax Common ie Camp Hill Cemetery, Public Gardens or Dalhousie Seton Campus, by blocking sunlight/views, creating wind and adding hundreds of cars. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose these developments? (Yes or No)
I would not outright oppose developments within proximity of the commons because some of these developments would have a positive impact for the area. I would fight for these projects to contain affordable housing. The commons should be accessible to everybody, so I would also work to remove the $6 per hour parking metres that have recently been installed. These parking metres put punitive financial restraints on people trying to visit the public area.
3. The Halifax Common remains a major reserve of green space for the Halifax Peninsula. There is a shortage of green space in HRM (needed in addition to sports and recreation facilities). Would you favour an expanded and comprehensive green space policy for HRM, especially on the Halifax Peninsula, that will increase public open space and connectivity between existing green space? (Yes or No) I would absolutely be in favour of more parks and green spaces within HRM. I think a short-term solution would be to add more trees to streets that have few or no trees. It would be nice to see a little green alongside the concrete.
4. One recent change in a part of the Halifax Common is use of the Wanderer’s Grounds. Prior to its essential privatization by a professional soccer team, the Wanderer’s Grounds was fully booked by amateur players. Now zero amateur teams have regular access. Have you any policies you’d pursue for the Wanderer’s Grounds? Please describe briefly. The Halifax Wanderers team is a source of inspiration and community pride. I think we are very fortunate to have them in our community. It’s unfortunate that amateur teams don’t have regular access to the wanderers grounds anymore, I don’t have a solution at this time but I would definitely like to open some community debates on the matter.
5. Plans for the additions to the QEII hospital complex include the building of two parking garages at the Natural History Museum and former CBC TV site. While the Province is taking the lead, HRM is co-operating. Under s.213 of the HTM Charter the Province pledges to “consider the planning documents of the Municipality” before carrying out any development. Would you work to have HRM actively oppose the Province’s plans for these parking garages? (Yes or No) Parking is scarce in this area however why do we need to use the commons land to fix that problem. The former CBC site used to belong to the commons, it should return to the commons. There have been petitions in the area with over 3,000 signatures. The community has spoken. I think it’s time to listen and give back what originally belonged to us. I would also oppose any project that expropriated more land from the commons.
6. The previous City of Halifax adopted a 1994 Master Plan for the Common. HRM is now considering a new Master Plan. What are your views on the pros and cons of the 1994 Master Plan and what would you propose for the new Halifax Common Master Plan? Please elaborate. Let’s stick to the plan and keep it simple. The commons needs to remain an open area with green, natural landscapes and water features. Minimize development and imposing structures while maintaining a sense of community pride. It should remain free to the public. These grounds were a gift to the people of Halifax and it should remain in the hands of the people of Halifax.