Halifax Regional Council back in session with new mayor, councillors
Halifax Regional Council is now back in session with a new mayor and several new councillors.
During his first full meeting as mayor, Andy Fillmore brought up a motion to remove the nine future encampment sites council identified back in July.
“This motion is intended to lead to a discussion that will highlight the new opportunities that are available which would allow us to remove the concept of expanding the encampments,” said Fillmore.
There are currently five designated sites and nine potential locations. The encampment on University Avenue was supposed to be cleared by Nov. 1, but tents were still there Tuesday.
When Fillmore campaigned for mayor, he pledged to freeze the approval of any new sites.
Halifax's new Mayor, Andy Fillmore, met with council for the first time Tuesday. (CTV/Stephanie Tsicos)
“It’s become very clear to me that there are alternatives that will meet the need presently and that more are coming online rapidly,” said Fillmore.
The tent encampment on University Avenue. (CTV/Stephanie Tsicos)
There are a number of other issues facing those in the region council is hoping to tackle during this new session.
“We really have to look at a lot of issues around growth, housing, and police and fire, and rec, and transportation is definitely one of them,” said councillor Tony Mancini. “We have to start being really creative.”
Last week, a major link between Halifax and Dartmouth was shut down, highlighting how quickly traffic delays and congestion can pile up. Construction around the region has also brought traffic to a halt in recent months.
“It’s always been a focus of how we move people around the municipality,” said Mancini. “Because of the quick growth, it’s more evident now than ever before.”
Council will be looking to alleviate some of that pressure going forward.
“At the top of that list, I believe, is making sure Halifax Transit is providing a service that is a real alternative to individual automobile usage,” said Fillmore.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
Ontario dad removes hockey rink at heart of neighbour dispute
A Markham dad who drew the ire of neighbours and the city after installing a hockey rink in his backyard says the rink has now been taken down.
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
Canadian among three climbers missing on New Zealand's highest peak
A Canadian is among three climbers missing after they'd planned to climb New Zealand's highest peak.
Motivated by obsession: Canadians accused in botched California murder plot in police custody
Two Canadians are in police custody in Monterey County, California, after a triple stabbing police say was motivated by a B.C. man's obsession with a woman he played video games with online.
Trump demands immediate release of Oct. 7 hostages, says otherwise there will be 'HELL TO PAY'
President-elect Donald Trump is demanding the immediate release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza, saying that if they are not freed before he is sworn into office there will be “HELL TO PAY."
Negotiations between Canada Post, union still on hold
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers says a new framework for negotiations that Canada Post presented over the weekend moved closer to the union's position on some issues, but that it remains far from what members could ratify.
Belly fat linked to signs of Alzheimer’s 20 years before symptoms begin, study says
As the size of a person’s belly grows, the memory centre of their brain shrinks and beta amyloid and tau may appear — all of this occurring as early as a person’s 40s and 50s, well before any cognitive decline is apparent, according to new research.
Toronto
-
Ontario woman 'shocked' after unused $250 gift card only contained $1.50
An Ontario woman was 'shocked' to find out her unused $250 gift card was almost completely drained.
-
Toronto library apologizes after staff at east-end branch refuse to help lost girl
The Toronto Public Library is apologizing after staff at a branch in the city’s east end refused to provide a lost child with access to a telephone.
-
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster tenders resignation after 7 years
Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster is stepping down. Verster tendered his resignation on Monday in order to take a new position and will leave his role as CEO of the provincial transit agency as early as Dec. 16.
Calgary
-
Calgary's police chief blasts province's photo radar decision
Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld is in disbelief following the province's decision to ban photo radar on numbered provincial highways and will only be allowed in school, playground and construction zones.
-
Apartment in downtown Calgary highrise significantly damaged in fire
Calgary fire crews are investigating a blaze that significantly damaged an apartment in a downtown highrise on Monday morning.
-
City begins ticketing, towing motorhomes parked along N.E. Calgary road
Bylaw officers are ticketing and towing several motorhomes parked along a northeast Calgary street after officials said it received 70 complaints about access and security issues along the stretch.
Edmonton
-
Police search for man wanted in Edmonton arson, extortion cases
Edmonton police are looking for a man who they say is connected to three southside arsons this fall.
-
Alberta RCMP officer charged with 2 counts of sexual assault
Const. Bridget Morla, a Leduc RCMP officer, has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in connection with an incident that happened two years ago.
-
Hefty 2025 property tax hike looms as budget talks start
Edmonton city council discussed money in all its forms Monday at city hall – be it taxes, deficits or reserves – as it begins two weeks of budget talks.
Montreal
-
New poll suggests Legault even less popular than Justin Trudeau
A prominent polling analyst says Quebec's governing party would be reduced to fewer than 10 seats in the provincial legislature if an election were held today, based on current poll numbers.
-
Montreal's Metro will have extended service hours on New Year’s Eve
To help Montrealers celebrate the holidays safely, the Metro will run later than usual on New Year’s Eve.
-
Correctional officer hospitalized after being severely beaten by inmate at Quebec prison: police
A correctional officer was seriously injured after being attacked by an inmate at a prison northeast of Montreal.
Ottawa
-
Kingston, Ont. doctor in 'disbelief' after being ordered to repay $600K for pandemic vaccination payments
An Ontario health tribunal has ordered a Kingston, Ont. doctor to repay over $600,000 to the Ontario government for improperly billing thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations at the height of the pandemic.
-
City of Ottawa's auditor general finds kickback scheme involving city employee and local landlords
The City of Ottawa's auditor general has found that a city employee was engaged in a kickback scheme with a group of four local landlords, collecting thousands of dollars in payments in exchange for more favourable rental rates under specific housing benefit programs administered by the city.
-
Ottawa Police Service Board approves 2025 draft budget
Ottawa police will be asking city taxpayers for an extra $16 million next year to hire more officers and launch new programs in the nation's capital.
London
-
More squalls expected Tuesday morning, easing in the afternoon
It remains a winter wonderland across the London region, with snow blanketing midwestern Ontario.
-
Another delay extends repairs to city hall’s entrance into the new year
The completion date for repairing the front canopy of London City Hall has once again been moved back.
-
Several London Knights chosen for World Junior selection camp
London Knight Easton Cowan is one of four Knights invited to Canada’s World Junior selection camp.
Barrie
-
Highway closures persist southbound from Huntsville to Orillia: OPP
Southbound lane closures remain in effect from Highway 60 in Huntsville to Highway 11 in Orillia on Monday evening.
-
New bridge over Highway 400 in Barrie opens to traffic
The Sunnidale Road bridge replacement is complete, with the road opening to traffic Monday.
-
Gravenhurst left digging out after town's most significant early snowfall ever
The Town of Gravenhurst is in recovery mode after 140 centimetres of snow fell over the weekend, marking the town’s most significant early snowfalls on record.
Northern Ontario
-
Five years after toddler's brutal death, Northern Ont. family struggles to find peace, justice
A North Bay family is struggling to find peace and justice as the five-year anniversary of the brutal death of toddler Oliver McCarthy approaches.
-
Transport trucks collide head-on near Hearst, Ont.
One transport truck driver was seriously injured Saturday when two commercial motor vehicles collided head-on on Highway 11
-
Northwestern Ontario community fined for refusing to celebrate Pride Month
An Ontario town and its mayor have been fined a total of $15,000 for refusing to celebrate Pride Month.
Kitchener
-
Criticism over OPP’s lack of communication during nine-hour closure of Hwy 401
Many people are wondering why Ontario Provincial Police failed to properly notify drivers of an investigation that shut down a stretch of Highway 401 for almost nine hours on Friday night.
-
Food Bank of Waterloo Region says demand for assistance jumped 25 per cent in 2024
A sharp and steady increase in the number of people accessing food assistance in Waterloo Region means what they receive may not be as much – or as diverse – as in the past.
-
Experts surprised by rising number of walking pneumonia cases
Experts say a rise in respiratory illness is expected as the temperature drops, but this year, they’re seeing a surprising number of walking pneumonia cases in younger people.
Windsor
-
Plans to sell portion of park to create housing receives mixed reviews
Plans to sever and sell a portion of an east Windsor park in order to fund the remaining greenspace’s redevelopment received a mixed reaction Monday night.
-
-
Overnight warming centre opens early as cold weather sparks fear winter could be deadly
With winter approaching quickly, worry is settling in that the cold weather could soon turn deadly, prompting a Chatham homeless centre to extend their overnight hours early while waiting for proper approvals and financial commitments.
Winnipeg
-
Investigation launched into Manitoban’s death after medical emergency at dental appointment
The Manitoba Dental Association (MDA) said it is investigating a critical incident where a young woman from the Morden-Winkler area died following a dental appointment.
-
'It's a little scary': Manitoba colleges and universities beefing up security measures
As of Monday, students and staff at Red River College are being greeted by security officers at the entrances, letting them know they will require ID as of Jan. 1.
-
Material at Manitoba landfill now being searched for remains of Indigenous women
The next stage in the search for the remains of two slain Indigenous women in a Manitoba landfill has officially begun.
Regina
-
Government of Saskatchewan introduces affordability act with personal income tax measures
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced promised legislation to lower personal income tax in the province.
-
Manz found guilty of one charge of sexual assault, acquitted on five others after 57 hours of deliberations
After being sequestered for more than 57 hours, a 12-person jury has found Regina chiropractor Ruben Manz guilty of one count of sexual assault.
-
Blockbuster WHL trade sees Warriors move captain Brayden Yager to Hurricanes
The Western Hockey League's (WHL) Moose Jaw Warriors traded captain Brayden Yager to the Lethbridge Hurricanes Monday.
Saskatoon
-
Over 7,000 Sask. patients have intimate medical info breached in lab hack
Over 7,000 patients in Saskatchewan had their intimate medical information breached by hackers, according to the province’s privacy watchdog.
-
Family of Sask. man who died following a violent arrest still pushing for answers
Friends and family of Boden Umpherville may be closer to finding answers on the circumstances surrounding his death.
-
Saskatchewan farmers voice concerns as U.S. tariff talks heat up
The looming threat of a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported to the U.S. is causing turmoil for Saskatchewan farmers, according to the Agricultural Producers’ Association of Saskatchewan (APAS).
Vancouver
-
'Near-zero visibility' from fog prompts weather advisory for Metro Vancouver
A fog advisory has been issued for Metro Vancouver Monday, with Environment Canada warning of the potential for "near-zero visibility."
-
North Shore Rescue reminds hikers to research trails after saving 2 unprepared tourists
Search and rescue volunteers are reminding hikers to do their research and bring the right equipment after saving two tourists who found themselves in dangerous situations on North Shore mountains.
-
Vancouver police say 'investments in public safety' are driving down crime rates
With Vancouver poised to set its 2025 budget, top police brass are touting a year-over-year decrease in crime as evidence that increased funding for the department under Mayor Ken Sim and his council is paying off.
Vancouver Island
-
Canada Post strike drying up donations for B.C. non-profit that feeds children over the weekend
For kids who rely on school meal programs for their daily nourishment, the weekend often means those children go without. Backpack Buddies helps bridge that weekend gap.
-
Driver 'doing donuts' crashes into house in Nanaimo, B.C.: RCMP
A driver who was “doing donuts” in a roundabout on a residential street in Nanaimo, B.C., lost control of his car and crashed into a home, according to police.
-
'A piece of our hearts missing:' B.C. family announces tragic end to search for missing man with dementia
A 64-year-old man who went missing from his Saanich long-term care home last month has been found deceased on the Westshore – with his wallet and Cleveland Browns trading cards, according to family.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
