From now until October 17 you as a citizen of HRM can vote to elect a Mayor and Council. Confronted with the climate crisis, COVID crisis, housing crisis, transportation crisis and social equity crisis we know we need a different kind of government; one that represents and governs for the common good— one that will help keep us from the tipping point. To aid you in your choice FHC sent a 6-question survey to the electoral candidates. Thematically the questions relate to measuring the candidates’ level of support for:

• Legislative protection of the Halifax Common;
• Reversing proposals for four 16, 26, 28, 29-storey towers + 800 underground parking spots on the South Common at Carlton, College, Robie, Spring Garden Road;
• Increasing green space and connectivity on the Halifax Peninsula and in HRM;
• Increasing access for amateur players on the effectively privatized Wanderer’s Grounds;
• Opposing the Province’s plans for an 8-storey 500 stall parking garage (NS Museum) and a 1000-stall parking garage (former CBC-TV site) on the Central Common;
• the 1994 Halifax Common Master Plan especially as it relates to the new Halifax Common Master Plan 

District 3: Lloyd Jackson and Becky Kent responded. 

District 4:  Ryan Burris, Darryl Johnson, Jamie MacNeil, Chris Mont and John Stewart responded.

District 5/6: None of the candidates responded.

District 7: Jen Powley would be a best friend of the Common! Especially compared to incumbent Waye Mason. During his two terms of office Councillor Mason has not been a true believer in decisions for the common good. Some examples are supporting the 16, 26, 28 & 29 storey highrises at Robie and Spring Garden Rd; the Centre Plan Corridors which will create incentives for thousands of affordable housing units to be destroyed-especially along the perimeter of the Common; and voting to support the easements and encroachments for parking garages on the Central Common instead of leading the council charge to have the province find real, doable solutions.
To get to the heart of the matter please read and compare Powley and Mason’s responses!

District 8: Virginia Hinch has given informed, open and very thoughtful answers. This is a sharp contrast to Lindell Smith whose actions have spoken larger than his decision to not reply. These include his 2019 motion to have a Development Agreement process begin for a 23-storey high-rise on Danny Chedrawe’s Cruickshanks property on Robie Street next to the 25-storey tower at the Willow Tree. This motion was against HRM staff report and broke the Centre Plan. It will further degrade the public’s experience on the North Common with more wind, shadow and traffic. Lindell did not defend the 800 citizens who wanted St Pat’s to be retained for pubic purpose, or Imagine Bloomfield citizens-both properties have been sold to private developers for private profit.