NEWS RELEASE

HRM Seeks Public Input on Council Structure and Polling Districts

(Tuesday, February 16/10) - HRM’s Governance and District Boundary Review Committee of Council, chaired by Mayor Peter Kelly, is reviewing the polling districts and their boundaries in HRM prior to the 2012 Municipal Elections. The Committee is seeking input through a series of seven public consultation meetings as part of the first phase of the boundary review process.

“We’re inviting and encouraging the public to participate in the upcoming scheduled meetings,” says Mayor Peter Kelly. “The feedback and suggestions from our residents will be very valuable as we move forward on how to best structure regional council for effective decision-making.”

All meetings, which run from Monday, February 22nd through to Friday, March 12th , will start at 6:30 p.m. in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Community Council meetings. Residents can attend any meeting.

“The committee will introduce each meeting with an overview presentation followed by public participation,” continued Mayor Kelly. “Discussion points will include the role of a Councillor as your representative, the decision-making powers and the size of both Regional and Community Councils, and how Council should best work for you, our citizens of HRM.”

Once the first phase of public consultation is complete Council will make a decision on the governance model for HRM and, based on that decision, specific district boundaries will be adjusted or revised and residents will be consulted again in the fall. Under the HRM Charter, HRM is required to undertake a full district boundary review every eight years. The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) allowed HRM to undertake a modified review in 2006-2007, but ordered that a full district boundary review be submitted by December 31, 2010.

Residents who cannot make one of the meetings can still have their opinions included by visiting the website.

For more information on HRM’s District Boundary Review process and to access a detailed list of scheduled meetings, please visit us at: www.halifax.ca/boundaryreview.

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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
(902) 490-4010