**** HRM Media Release
Municipal service level adjustments for the Canada Day long weekend
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following municipal program and service level adjustments for the upcoming Canada Day long weekend, with a statutory holiday on Monday, July 3.
Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours
Garbage, organics, and recyclables collection services will not be affected by the statutory holiday. Regular collection services will occur on Monday, July 3. Residents are reminded that collection services can begin as early as 7 a.m. To ensure collection, materials may be placed curbside the evening prior to collection day.
The Household Special Waste (HSW) Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, July 1 but will be open on Saturday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility and Materials Recovery Facility will be closed on Saturday, July 1 but will be open on Monday, July 3 for regular business hours.
A mobile Household Special Waste Depot will be held on Saturday, July 8 at the BMO Centre (61 Gary Martin Dr, Bedford ) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents can find more information on solid waste facility holiday hours on our website. Residents can also sign up for weekly collection reminders and service alerts, as well as print a calendar customized to their address on our website.
Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services
Halifax Transit buses will be operating on Holiday Service on Saturday, July 1. Alderney Ferry service will be free on Saturday, July 1. Woodside Ferry will not be operating on Saturday, July 1.
Alderney and Woodside Ferry service will be paused from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m. to accommodate the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds rehearsal on Friday, June 30. Alderney Ferry service will be paused 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. to accommodate the Canadian Forces Snowbirds demonstration on Saturday, July 1 (with a rain date of Sunday, July 2).
Further details is available on Halifax Transit’s service disruptions page.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
The Bedford and Cole Harbour outdoor pools, as well as all supervised municipal beaches, will open for the season on Saturday, July 1.
The new Halifax Common Aquatics Facility will be opening soon. Please visit our website for updates.
The Bayers-Westwood, George Dixon, Isleville Street, Cole Harbour, Shirley’s, Westmount, and Sackville splashpads opened for the 2023 season on Saturday, June 17.
The Emera Oval will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and equipment lending will be available if weather and surface conditions permit.
Many municipal-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Saturday, July 1 and Monday, July 3 – with the exception of the Sackville Sports Stadium, which will be open on Monday, July 3. Please call your local Recreation Centre for further information.
Customer Contact Centres
The 311 Contact Centre will be closed Saturday, July 1 for full service. However, urgent calls can still be reported. Regular operations will resume on Sunday, July 2.
In-person Customer Service Centres will be closed on Monday, July 3. Customer Service Centres will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, July 4.
Residents may contact 311 by phone, or by email at contactus@311.halifax.ca.
Further information on Customer Contact Centres can be found online.
Civic Events
The municipality is inviting residents to participate in KANA’TA: Canada Day 2023 on Saturday, July 1.
For a full list of events, visit hrmcanadaday.ca.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will also perform an aerial display on Saturday, July 1 at 12 p.m. This will be followed by live musical performances on both the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfronts.
During this performance, and a rehearsal flight on Friday, June 30, nine CT-114 Tutor aircraft will fly over the Halifax Harbour. Residents are advised that a marine exclusion zone (see attached) will be in place. The exclusion zone will be in place for the following dates and times:
- Friday, June 30: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturday, July 1: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, June 2 (rain date only): 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The municipality is attentive to safety concerns related to fireworks and remains in consultation with Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency on this issue. The municipality would also like to reassure residents that there are measures in place to ensure the fireworks used at municipal events are used in a safe manner and in accordance with any relevant fire regulations.
As always, the status of fireworks for events is subject to change. Notification of changes will be shared via the municipality’s Civic Events’ Facebook page and Twitter channel.
Fire Safety
Residents are asked to celebrate safely this weekend and consider attending professional fireworks displays instead of using consumer fireworks.
Residents should also check burning restrictions guidelines (updated at 2 p.m. daily) for the latest guidance. If a burn ban is in place, fireworks will not be permitted.
If consumer fireworks are permitted, residents should select a wide, clear site that is 30 metres by 30 metres (or 100 feet by 100 feet). Consumers fireworks should also be set off away from structures, trees, dry grass, overhanging hydro lines, or tree branches.
Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.
