Clutch your pearls, landlords of Halifax. This week at its regular Tuesday meeting, Halifax Regional Council passed the second reading of updates to bylaw M-200, which outlines the standards for residential occupancies based on the basic foundation that people should live in a place that’s “safe, warm, dry.” The long-awaited move tightens the rules around what’s […]
District 11
On the phone with clean harbour champion Bruce Cooke, District 11
Bruce Cooke moved to Herring Cove in 1994, building a house there to raise his family, and early on he realized that he wanted to help the community. Walking along the coast one day, he discovered how the city dealt with its sewage: dumping the raw outflow from thousands of toilets straight into the harbour. […]
On the phone with food security advocate Stephen Chafe, District 11
Stephen Chafe says District 11 (Spryfield—Sambro Loop—Prospect Road) has been neglected. He says there’s a need for a strong voice to represent the community—and he’s ready to be that voice as the area’s new councillor. “I’ve been involved in and out of politics for most of my life and it seems like now is the […]
On the phone with construction manager Pete Rose, District 11
As an active blood donor, Pete Rose has literally rolled up his sleeves to give back to his community. But now he wants to help in a different way—by running to be councillor for District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect Road). The 37-year-old father of two had been thinking about getting into politics for a long time, […]
On the phone with community-focused Patty Cuttell, District 11
With over two decades of experience in community development, and 20 years living in District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect Road), Patty Cuttell says she’s ready to put everything she’s learned over the years to good use in her own community—which is why she’s running for councillor. “I’m at a point in my life where I would […]
On the phone with diversity advocate Ambroise Matwawana, District 11
Ambroise Matwawana came to Canada as a child 40 years ago, from the Democractic Republic of Congo. He watched his parents work hard and pave their own way in the community, never giving up—a sense of resilience that has inspired him throughout his life and continues to do so even now as he runs for […]
On the phone with caregiver Hannah Munday, District 11
When Hannah Munday found out District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect Road) councillor Steve Adams wasn’t reoffering this election, she took a deep breath and went for it. “Everything was just aligning in a way that seemed like this was a good opportunity,” she says. Munday ran her own daycare business for 10 years until 2019, and […]
On the phone with political upstart Dawn Edith Penney, District 11
Dawn Edith Penney faced a tough challenge in the last election for District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect Road). She was the only candidate to go up against perennial incumbent Steve Adams, Halifax’s longest-serving councillor, winner of every municipal election since 1991. And sure enough, she lost in 2016. This election the story is a lot different. […]
On the phone with affordable housing advocate Lisa Mullin, District 11
When it comes to running a political campaign, Lisa Mullin is well versed. She already had three under her belt, running for the District 11 council seat in 2004, and as a Liberal candidate in the 2006 and 2009 provincial elections. Now she’s in her fourth campaign, aiming to become the city councillor for District […]
On the phone with Spryfield’s number-one fan Kristen Hollery, District 11
“I think Spryfield is the greatest community in the world,” says lifelong resident Kristen Hollery. “We are well-connected. We have a lot of resources that people don’t necessarily know, and we work together really well.” The area also gets a bad rap sometimes, but Hollery hopes to change that by running for District 11 (Spryfield–Sambro Loop–Prospect […]
On the phone with affordable housing advocate Matt Conrad, District 11
Ever since he was 14 years old, Matt Conrad knew he wanted to run for city council. “I couldn’t wait to vote and I was always really involved,” he says. Conrad never considered running for a specific party—for him it’s always been about city council and representing District 11 (Spryfield—Sambro Loop—Prospect Road). “I find that […]
District 11 Councillor Stephen Adams says he won’t be running for council again
With plenty of deep breaths and a few sideways smiles, Stephen Adams made it through his announcement with almost no tears in City Hall Friday morning. Adams, Halifax’s longest-serving councillor, told colleagues and media that this year would be his last in politics. Adams, says he chose to make this announcement now in order to give […]

