**** HRM Media Release
Response to COVID-19: Adjustments to municipal meetings
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that, due to resourcing challenges as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 cases in the community, including employee exposures and provincially mandated self-isolation and testing requirements, municipal service standards are expected to be impacted. This includes the timing, location and staffing of municipal meetings, including Regional Council, standing committees, boards and commissions.
As such, the upcoming Budget Committee will meet virtually at 10 a.m on Tuesday, April 12. Regional Council will then meet virtually on Tuesday, April 12 immediately following Budget Committee. Regional Council will then commence in-person at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 in Council Chambers, City Hall, for a Public Hearing.
Out of an abundance of caution, meetings will take place virtually when possible. The Public Hearing on April 12 is being held in-person to adhere to the previously committed date which, in compliance with the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, was advertised to the public two weeks in advance.
Check the agenda for each meeting, once available, to access meeting details including timing and location. Meeting agendas are generally available by the Friday prior to the meeting.
In accordance with the Province of Nova Scotia’s Reopening Plan Phase 3 guidelines, masks are no longer mandatory for in-person municipal meetings. Proof of vaccination is also no longer required. However, the municipality strongly recommends wearing a mask while indoors and in public spaces.
Residents can learn more about participation in both in-person and virtual Public Hearings, as well as the opportunity to provide written submissions, at halifax.ca/city-hall.
For the most up-to-date information on municipal impacts as a result of COVID-19, visit halifax.ca/coronavirus.
