u/TheWellthySovran

We’re almost at the halfway point of this current Council term, which means it’s time to not only start thinking, but planning what the 2028 Election is going to look like.

I’ve been having conversations with people about what kind of person should run next time, and what keeps appearing is the idea that the people who resist running the most may actually be some of the people we need.

Mostly because if you don’t particularly want to be a politician, there’s a decent chance you’re less interested in protecting the job once you have it. You might actually be willing to go in, question things, change things, piss people off where necessary, and then leave.

Then this gem from Kelowna popped up on Instagram today:

https://preview.redd.it/lhugl9o72vth1.png?width=674&format=png&auto=webp&s=a074f555d669b6113fc96d69a566f02dd802870c

Obviously I went to his website, and this is part of what he wrote:

>“Engineering taught me that finding good answers starts with asking good questions. Understanding comes before solutions.”

And:

>“Far too often, we feel like the systems around us are happening to us. But they aren’t forces of nature. We built them, we can question them, and when they stop working for us, we can change them.”

More of this, please.

There are a lot of people in HRM who understand systems, business, housing, community, infrastructure, law, finance, social services, governance, or just how completely absurd something can look once you’re standing outside the institution looking in.

Most of them would probably rather chew glass than run for Council. I'm one of them.

But I’m starting to find and talk to those people now so by the time 2028 comes around, we may actually have an election worth engaging and participating in.

EDIT: Send me a DM if you are one of those who are on the fence. I really do want to talk to you.

EDIT #2: Here's the current list of councillors so everyone can see what we're looking at. Each Council term is 4 years.

• District 01: Cathy Deagle Gammon — elected 2020 — approx. 6 years
• District 02: David Hendsbee — elected 2003* — approx. 23 years
• District 03: Becky Kent — elected 2004** — approx. 10 years
• District 04: Trish Purdy — elected 2020 — approx. 6 years
• District 05: Sam Austin — elected 2016 — approx. 10 years
• District 06: Tony Mancini — elected 2016 — approx. 10 years
• District 07: Laura White — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 08: Virginia Hinch — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 09: Shawn Cleary — elected 2012 — approx. 14 years
• District 10: Kathryn Morse — elected 2020 — approx. 6 years
• District 11: Patty Cuttell — elected 2020 — approx. 6 years
• District 12: Janet Steele — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 13: Nancy Hartling — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 14: John A. Young — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 15: Billy Gillis — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years
• District 16: Jean St-Amand — elected 2024 — approx. 2 years

* = left to serve as MLA since first elected, and returned to Council

I noticed this week that HRM has been posting notices for development-related public hearings in its Instagram stories, but not on its main feed. I’m not on the other platforms, so I can’t say how they’re being shared elsewhere, but it stood out to me that these notices are being placed somewhere they disappear after 24 hours.

They’re also not especially easy to find on the HRM website. The page requires a fair bit of scrolling, and it’s easy to miss something.

So I’m sharing the page where HRM lists upcoming public hearings, public information meetings and open houses, along with what’s currently scheduled for August.

It’s worth checking regularly if you want to know what is being proposed or changed in your community, and where HRM is actively asking residents to participate. By the time something starts circulating widely, the formal opportunity for input may already be underway.

Under the HRM Charter, public hearing notices only have to be posted on the municipality’s website at least seven days before the hearing. That makes knowing where to look especially important.

For complete details and links regarding the meetings listed below:

https://www.halifax.ca/business/planning-development/upcoming-public-information-meetings-public-hearings-notice-approvals

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August 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Halifax City Hall

PLANAPP 2026-01028 – HRM-Initiated application to introduce minor housekeeping amendments to Schedule ZM-31: Plan Dutch Village Road Street Wall Height Map. The intent of these amendments is to address mapping errors resulting from Cases 22816 and 23245 and MINORREV-2025-00922.

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August 13, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. 60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth

PLANAPP 2023-01187 - Application by Sunrose Land Use Consulting, on behalf of the property owner, requesting to enter into a development agreement to allow for a Shared Housing with Special Use off Montague Road, Lake Loon (PID 00624668).

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August 20, 2026 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre

Public Open House - PR-2025-05536 - Little Pockwock and Emmanuel Baptist Church growth areas

A Public Open House will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026 between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre, 711 Pockwock, Upper Hammonds Plains. 

This is part of African Nova Scotian Community Action Planning. African Nova Scotian Community Action Planning is a municipal process that helps the municipality understand community needs and priorities and identify actions for Council to consider.

RVSP: see email in link provided - mod rules won't allow it to be posted here.