it does give the vibe of being pretty altered - the actions contradict a lot of what it correctly states about induced demand

The plan ignores the easiest and least expensive ways to reduce congestion:

- Allowing people to work from home
- Build bike lanes so people can bike to work

Please remember, when I die being hit by a tractor-trailer while cycling, it was because there are no bike lanes in Halifax, and that I was doing my best to avoid being in the woods while also reducing my carbon footprint. #nspoli

also love how feasibility studies for a half dozen 500m projects is somehow at the same price scale as expanding the 102

This is gonna be a shit show. the RTP talks out of both sides of its mouth on cars vs. other modes, but the peninsulas small streets will force trade offs. I think we've seen how that goes..

Drought, extreme heat, wildfires across Canada, orders to conserve water, in Nova Scotia a provincial order to stay out of the woods or face a $25,000 fine, and missing in all the messaging is any mention of the elephant in the broiling land: THE CLIMATE CRISIS caused by our burning FOSSIL FUELS.

Ok but because the whole process took six years doesn’t mean all the data is six years old

Fillmore, arguing against the bike network, says he's for the bike network.

Steele is on a fucking tear talking about how much Houston's enacted policies so far (tolls, free parking) have increased congestion.

So Halifax regional council is in-camera now. Apparently, Fred Tilley, minister of public works, and MLA Tim Outhit are meeting with council.

I am just waiting this out and will live post when they are back in public session, which will be after lunch, I was told.

Majority of letters sent to Andy Fillmore, Halifax councillors in support of bike lanes - Halifax Examiner Only 27 letters sent to offices of mayor, council, and municipal clerk supported motion to pause construction of bike lanes.

Majority of letters sent to Andy Fillmore, Halifax councillors in support of bike lanes

by @suzannerent.bsky.social

ANALYSIS | What strong mayor powers could mean for N.S. government and why they might be granted | CBC News Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Andy Fillmore, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr have all talked recently about the potential of creating strong mayor powers...

"As an example, he says he asked for a draft budget that would hold the tax rate flat, yet staff presented council a document during budget deliberations that proposed a 7.6 per cent increase in tax bills."

Maybe we shouldn't give strong mayor powers to ppl who don't know how the budget works

This is an excellent point. Stable and proper cell phone and internet service is a necessity for employment, safety, education, and just keeping connected. There are so many parts of #NovaScotia that don't have adequate cell phone or internet coverage.

Do you think Tim Houston can shut up about 600m of city streets and maybe work on the provinces cellular network. One bar of LTE over here TimTim

It would be to your benefit to consider how free hospital parking has worked out across the province. In most places it's been fine but with the QEII it's been a boondoggle. What may be "common sense" in suburban or rural areas may not work in urban areas, particularly urban areas that have inadequate public transit and active transportation options. I'm not sure that your government is properly equipped or informed to override decisions made by municipal staff and locally elected officials in regards to road use.

Sent off an email to the province about Morris St. I think this is my favourite paragraph

HaliSky, I know we’re all tired of the distraction of fighting about bike lanes that this summer has become.

But the motion about Morris St at council tomorrow really is about a threat to democracy.

If you can muster the energy to send an email to council, the premier & your MLA, please do so!

What I am learning about Halifax by walking and taking the bus, part two - Halifax Examiner Bike lanes, express buses, space for horses, and the Public Gardens.

Important reminder from @suzannerent.bsky.social: “Houston has a way of pushing the envelope, backing off when there’s public outcry, and then saying he’s sorry.”

I sent my email this morning to complain about his meddling with the Morris St bike lane. Have you sent one yet?

The letter date from June 6 to July 23. There are 441 letters in support of #bikelanes and asking not to pause work. There are only 28 letters in support of a pause on bike lane construction or opposed to bike lanes entirely.

I will have a story with some snippets from the letters. #halifax

I went through the 658 pages of letters to Mayor Andy Fillmore, councillors, and the clerk's office regarding bike lanes. There are 484 letters in total (some people sent more than one letter or some letters are in opposition to the Robie Street widening project, so I didn't count those). 1/2

Less than 30 people were immolated in Ford Pintos.

A notice stapled to a telephone pole on Allan Street that alerts tenants to a planned modal filter at the intersection of Harvard and Allan streets in Halifax, which is intended to discourage short-cutting along Allan Street by car drivers, while permitting cyclists to pass through. The notice urges readers to complain to the local councillor. Someone has used a black pen to make edits to the poster, urging readers "Don't be bullied" and encouraging them to instead "express your pleasure" to the councillor.

"Express your pleasure" – somebody made improvements to one of the anonymous TENANTS posters on Allan St 😅 #BikeHfx

Nova Scotia Environment Minister Tim Halman issues laughably embarrassing report on environmental progress - Halifax Examiner There is a lot of hand-waving and insincerity in the document.

On transportation, 75% of commutes in Nova Scotia are by single occupant vehicles (stats Canada). Until that becomes the focus, not projects like Morris St, addressing congestion and transportation emissions is a lost cause.

www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...

[Update]

Tax revenue per m2 by district in Halifax:

D2: $0.04
D1: $0.07
D13:$0.10
D11: $0.17
D14: $0.17
D15: $0.57
D4: $0.59
D3: $1.42
D12: $2.31
D16: $3.68
D10: $4.22
D6: $4.27
D5: $4.99
D9: $13.89
*D8: $15.89
D7: $23.51

D8 had 3 properties with lot size stored/imported in the wrong unit.

I’ve taken to reminding people to move to the right if they’re going to move. I always appreciate the folks who raise a hand to indicate they’ve heard me, too.

2/3

The ultimate cause is climate change. And pointing to the proximate cause misses the real reason for the fire.

There have always been people doing dumb stuff, carelessness, inattention, even arson!

But all of that only results in the terrible wildfires we see now because of climate change.

cars do cross the car lane, though. let me know if you need a diagram to better understand this.

I'll translate this: A suspected impaired driver has been charged after he struck a 25 year old woman and an infant, who were on the sidewalk, then fled the scene.

Why are bike lanes being fought so hard right now? Powerful people are trying to take away an option for people to fight the climate crisis. To keep us in cars to concentrate wealth through the expense of car ownership. This more than bike lanes this is democracy we are fighting for.

to do that, PC MLAs have to be informed

and if you’re worried about losing them with their experience once they get a couple years under their belt, try and be an employer that people aren’t in a hurry to leave.