Sam Austin
@samaustind5.bsky.social
Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor
District 5 Dartmouth Centre
District 5 Dartmouth Centre
This is one heck of a speech! www.youtube.com/live/dqtDxku...
LIVE: Canadian PM Mark Carney Special Address at Davos WEF 2026
YouTube video by DRM News
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:59 PM
This is one heck of a speech! www.youtube.com/live/dqtDxku...
My Council Update: Missing Middle Housing and the building code, plus the HRM pension plan. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Missing Middle, Pensions - Sam Austin
Missing Middle Housing and the Building CodeA motion of mine was back before Council around eliminating barriers to Missing Middle Housing. The situation I’m trying to change is our restrictive rules ...
samaustin.ca
January 15, 2026 at 3:32 PM
My Council Update: Missing Middle Housing and the building code, plus the HRM pension plan. Read it here samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Today: Was a quiet one. A few phone calls, some emails, an interview with King's journalism students, and I finished my Council blog (will post that tomorrow).
January 15, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Today: Was a quiet one. A few phone calls, some emails, an interview with King's journalism students, and I finished my Council blog (will post that tomorrow).
Reposted by Sam Austin
An update on the Alderney Ferry service disruption: www.halifax.ca/home/news/up...
January 14, 2026 at 8:49 PM
An update on the Alderney Ferry service disruption: www.halifax.ca/home/news/up...
Today: Heading over to City Hall for Regional Council. Full agenda that includes discussions on litter, missing middle housing, and taxi/ride share licensing. Agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
January 13, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Today: Heading over to City Hall for Regional Council. Full agenda that includes discussions on litter, missing middle housing, and taxi/ride share licensing. Agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Today: A busy one. Chatted with the Herald about bike stats, meetings with staff regarding missing middle housing and building code. Briefing on the suburban plan. Also catching up with the Halifax Partnership, and the weekly check-in with my coordinator.
January 9, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Today: A busy one. Chatted with the Herald about bike stats, meetings with staff regarding missing middle housing and building code. Briefing on the suburban plan. Also catching up with the Halifax Partnership, and the weekly check-in with my coordinator.
Today: Coffee meetings for the morning, including with the Park Avenue Oven folks. Emails and Transportation Standing Committee Agenda Review to round out the day.
January 8, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Today: Coffee meetings for the morning, including with the Park Avenue Oven folks. Emails and Transportation Standing Committee Agenda Review to round out the day.
Today: Back into the office after the holidays. Started the day with Councillors on the Hot Seat with News 95.7. A few other media inquiries about Dartmouth Cove (all quiet today). Email and phone calls with the balance of the day.
January 5, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Today: Back into the office after the holidays. Started the day with Councillors on the Hot Seat with News 95.7. A few other media inquiries about Dartmouth Cove (all quiet today). Email and phone calls with the balance of the day.
Reposted by Sam Austin
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
2025's bike stats. Over half a million bikes counted at HRM's 12 counters with several posting all-time highs (Hollis, Barrington, Dartmouth Cove, South Park, Vernon, Windsor).
Previous year counts:
2025: 561,109
2024: 519,798
2023: 383,304
2022: 264,790
2021: 265,574
2020: 64,332
2019: 32,510
2018: 57,902
2025: 561,109
2024: 519,798
2023: 383,304
2022: 264,790
2021: 265,574
2020: 64,332
2019: 32,510
2018: 57,902
January 1, 2026 at 8:46 PM
2025's bike stats. Over half a million bikes counted at HRM's 12 counters with several posting all-time highs (Hollis, Barrington, Dartmouth Cove, South Park, Vernon, Windsor).
Bit of a strange one to share on Christmas Eve but there was a fleury of Dartmouth Cove correspondence this week. Province to HRM and HRM back to Province. Plus a threat of action by a landowner on Jan 5 cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
cdn.halifax.ca
December 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Bit of a strange one to share on Christmas Eve but there was a fleury of Dartmouth Cove correspondence this week. Province to HRM and HRM back to Province. Plus a threat of action by a landowner on Jan 5 cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Sam Austin
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
Reposted by Sam Austin
We're advising residents that the municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect from Dec. 15, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The parking ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations. More details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/mu...
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
We're advising residents that the municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect from Dec. 15, 2025, through March 31, 2026. The parking ban is enforced from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. during declared weather events and snow removal operations. More details: www.halifax.ca/home/news/mu...
Last Council blog of 2025! The Banook Plan and some thoughts on the Capped Assessment Program samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Banook Plan, CAP - Sam Austin
Agenda December 9Agenda December 2 Banook PlanThe Lake Banook Coordination Plan was approved by Council this week. Banook is a special place. It’s both a prized community recreational hub, and an inte...
samaustin.ca
December 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Last Council blog of 2025! The Banook Plan and some thoughts on the Capped Assessment Program samaustin.ca/council-upda...
November bike stats from HRM's counters.
Previous year counts for Nov:
2025: 43,844
2024: 39,425
2023: 33,618
2022: 24,640
2021: 18,623
2020: 3,733
2019: 3,459
2018: 5,285
2025: 43,844
2024: 39,425
2023: 33,618
2022: 24,640
2021: 18,623
2020: 3,733
2019: 3,459
2018: 5,285
December 4, 2025 at 1:47 AM
November bike stats from HRM's counters.
HRM's response to the Province's conditional approval of the Dartmouth Cove infill amendments. Correspondence posted publicly on HRM's website here cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
cdn.halifax.ca
December 3, 2025 at 10:27 PM
HRM's response to the Province's conditional approval of the Dartmouth Cove infill amendments. Correspondence posted publicly on HRM's website here cdn.halifax.ca/sites/defaul...
My latest Council blog. 2026 Budget deliberations are underway. It's going to be a difficult year! Early ins and outs from our opening meeting and the lines of debate that are shaping up samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Council Update: Budget 2026 Begins - Sam Austin
Agenda, November 19 Budget 2026The 2026 budget process is now underway. Over the next 4-5 months, staff and Council will complete a detailed review of all of HRM’s plans for 2026. Unfortunately, this ...
samaustin.ca
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
My latest Council blog. 2026 Budget deliberations are underway. It's going to be a difficult year! Early ins and outs from our opening meeting and the lines of debate that are shaping up samaustin.ca/council-upda...
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 28 I'll be holding open hour at Port City Coffee in Alderney Landing from 9:30 - 11:00. Pop by for 5-10 minute chat, no appointment necessary.
November 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 28 I'll be holding open hour at Port City Coffee in Alderney Landing from 9:30 - 11:00. Pop by for 5-10 minute chat, no appointment necessary.
Budget deliberations are underway at City Hall. Mayor's motion, that seems to be out of order, and will have to be adjusted or be moved as an alternative... Winds of austerity swirling at City Hall
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Budget deliberations are underway at City Hall. Mayor's motion, that seems to be out of order, and will have to be adjusted or be moved as an alternative... Winds of austerity swirling at City Hall
Candlelight concert at the Sanctuary Arts Centre for the North Grove. Rostova String Quartet bringing a classical twist to popular music (they’re truly excellent!)
November 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Candlelight concert at the Sanctuary Arts Centre for the North Grove. Rostova String Quartet bringing a classical twist to popular music (they’re truly excellent!)
Some pics from what’s under the surface at Dartmouth Cove from today’s bioblitz
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Some pics from what’s under the surface at Dartmouth Cove from today’s bioblitz
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, a bonus open hour, but in the afternoon. I’ll be at Marco Polo from 2-3. Pop by for 5-10 minutes of my time, no appointment necessary. FYI I’ll have a young job shadower along with me
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Tomorrow, Friday Nov 14, a bonus open hour, but in the afternoon. I’ll be at Marco Polo from 2-3. Pop by for 5-10 minutes of my time, no appointment necessary. FYI I’ll have a young job shadower along with me
Reposted by Sam Austin
Lake Major Returns to Voluntary Restrictions
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
November 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Lake Major Returns to Voluntary Restrictions
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Due to recent precipitation, Halifax Water’s source water supply has started to replenish and recover. Effective immediately, all customers serviced by Lake Major are returned to voluntary water restrictions.
halifaxwater.ca/alert/lake-m...
1/2
Lots of creativity at the Dartmouth Cove protest
November 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Lots of creativity at the Dartmouth Cove protest
Today: A busy one. Conversation with staff re government relations, Dartmouth Cove protest (see post below), hoping to swing by opening of a new health clinic on Wyse Road, Transportation Committee agenda review, and Mobile Food Market 10th anniversary celebration
November 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Today: A busy one. Conversation with staff re government relations, Dartmouth Cove protest (see post below), hoping to swing by opening of a new health clinic on Wyse Road, Transportation Committee agenda review, and Mobile Food Market 10th anniversary celebration