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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 4h

Today: Quick peak at Maybank work on the way back from dropping my wife off (infields are rising in the distance!). NS Federation of Municipalities nomination committee meeting, and meeting with National Council of Canadian Muslims

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 23h

Today: Started with a chat with Wendy Luther of the Halifax Partnership. Canal Commission tonight.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Today: No scheduled appointments so it's a catch-up on the inbox kind of day.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Today: Harbour East Community Council getting underway this evening. Meetings earlier today with Bird Canada, HRM right-of-way staff, and with police and Downtown Dartmouth businesses

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I honestly don’t know why the meeting was cancelled. Regardless of what is decided with the Forum project, demolition will be needed, so I don’t understand why that’s not going forward. I don’t have much on this. Council will know more when staff come to us with the report

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today: An inside sort of day on the ferry. Meeting with HRM’s Public Safety team, Port Community Liaison Committee, prep for tomorrow’s Council meeting, and possibly buzzing out to Fall River for the all weather field celebration (if time permits)

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

The estimate is it would take 8 weeks to finish the project, which takes things to the end of October early November

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Yeah it would have been! Thankfully Dartmouth didn't have the money or will to destroy itself. I likely wouldn't be here in my house if they had as my neighbourhood would have been half destroyed and the half left would have been really different

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A reminder that I'll be at Port City Coffee at Alderney Landing from 10:00 - 11:00 tomorrow morning for Open Hour.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Today: A sunny but windwhipped trip for this board and committees day. Sportsplex board, Alderney, Transportation Standing Committee, and North Woodside Community Centre

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Problem with this survey is it shouldn't exist in the first place. We would be into construction if culture war, vibe-based provincial politics hadn't interfered. Our best option might be to wait. No point building something that no one will use because it's indirect and slow.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today: Dentist appointment. Working on my Council blog and emails with the rest

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Maybe. Abolish This could have been any number of people in the room! It is good general advice. You can reach out to a Councillor if an answer doesn't make sense or you want to stress test it. The one super power councillors have is we can ask. A different answer though... not guaranteed.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Today: Chat with planning staff re King's Wharf, and with Park's staff regarding upcoming capital budget. I was out of the office most of last week so working on my overdue Council blog with the rest.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We actually have boulevard gardening guidelines so if folks don't want to do a lawn, they can do stuff like plant native species, grow a meadown, and garden. The key being is that whatever someone does has to be deliberate, not just a lack of maintenance.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today: A busy one. Started with a meeting with Reachability, Chamber of Commerce luncheon with Bank of Canada Governor, chat with Forum Association, and an interview with Global. Tonight Acorn tenant forum

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Since the Forum is back in the news, I'm reposting my write up. As of yet, no one has presented Council with any actual alternative proposals or sites, it's been all vibes and options that were previously studied and rejected. It won't get cheaper with yet more delays samaustin.ca/council-upda...

samaustin.ca

Council Update: Forum and Ferries - Sam Austin

Forum:On Wednesday, Council resumed budget deliberations with a look at the capital budget and I’m fairly alarmed at where Mayor Fillmore wants to take us regarding the Halifax Forum project. The Foru...

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Everyone on the ferry knows the bluenose in the sun! Unexpected show on the ferry ride over to City Hall this morning. Council agenda here pub-halifax.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

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Reposted by Sam Austin

Mark Carney @mark-carney.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

25 years ago, on a clear September morning, an otherwise ordinary day became one of history’s darkest. Through the darkness, we also saw the best of humanity.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

And I say similar root because the CAP primarily benefits those sorts of neighbourhoods so unreformed zoning and the CAP go back to the same place, but they're different things in terms of impact, origin and potentially reform.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The CAP doesn't really annihilate city finances. We set a tax rate and CAP really has no bearing. What it does is shift how municipal costs are spread between folks. Decades of low density single-use, car centred development is a financial cost, but that's not the CAP. Similar roots, diff issues

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Well 4 units is allowed on every lot in the Regional Centre. We'll see what the suburban plan comes back with. Expecting every house to become a 4 plex, even if allowed, I don't think is a realistic way the cap ends. More like nibbling on the edge. Different issues, some overlapping political camps

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The politics of the cap going away, which are near impossible to begin with, really prevent this. Would confirm what opponents of cap reform assert: “See I told you it was a tax grab.”

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Reposted by Sam Austin

PEIPolitical 🇨🇦 @peipolitical.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Jean Chrétien: "It looks like they don't know what to do. When your big thing is to change the name of a lake, it's because you're running out of arguments. It is a very weak gesture, to be cheap and nasty. Lake Ontario is not suffering. It's a lake." #cdnpoli

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Most people I can ever recall seeing at the Pond for a concert!

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Reposted by Sam Austin

Stoo Metz 🏳️‍⚧️ 🏳️‍🌈 @stoometz.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Good times today with the Mellotones playing at Sullivans Pond. @downtowndartmouth.bsky.social #Dartmouth #Halifax #HaliSky

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

The sun hasn’t burst out yet but it’s always sunny in the heart at Sullivan’s Pond. Afternoon of tunes underway

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A colourful walking fundraiser to support youth programming for the North Woodside Community Centre and City of Lakes Boxing

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

It's official, the student transit pass program will continue this year.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

If you want to write me, I would be happy to pass it along to our Parks capital staff and to the accessibility adivisory committee

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Goodbye rotten boards. New concrete pad incoming, with a decorative compass rose pressed into it. Ferry and Ferry Terminal Park are still open during construction

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

It's tendered so can't really here. Would have to scrap the project and playground has already been removed. If there are concerns around the use of this stuff (tender docs say it complies with accessibility requirements) then could be a good thing to raise at the upcoming Accessibility Town Hall.

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Reposted by Sam Austin

John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

"you see, Canada is clearly overreacting and should simply make the deal that's available, like other countries have"

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Mark Carney @mark-carney.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

For over a year, Canada has worked intensively and in good faith with the United States to negotiate a new comprehensive trade deal. We have been pragmatic, patient, and persistent. Our goal has always been to get the best deal for Canadians, never a deal at any price or on any time frame.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Not sure whose quote this is but Canada has two settings: sorry and you’ll be sorry… today the PM isn’t sounding very sorry! Elbows up www.youtube.com/live/Dx9Exdj...

youtube.com

LIVE: Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs • EN DIRECT : Notre réponse aux droits de douane américains

YouTube video by Mark Carney

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Reposted by Sam Austin

Observing The City @observingthecity.ca · 18/08/2026

Morning commute on a bike lane that Doug Ford wants to rip out. 21 bikes and 4 cars clearing an intersection in 23 seconds. Which mode fights congestion?

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I think they were the two I passed on the sidewalk at the Pond walking my dog on Saturday afternoon. They got a congratulations :) Sounds like you raised a good guy!

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Reposted by Sam Austin

Angela Capobianco @ange-sometimes.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The Audit and Finance Committee met today to determine corrective measures for the procurement violations found during an audit of the mayor’s office expenses. Councillors hope the report will provide clarity on how to prevent this from happening again. globalnews.ca/video/120192...

globalnews.ca

Councillors seek clarity on corrective measures for Office of the Mayor audit | Watch News Videos Online

Watch Councillors seek clarity on corrective measures for Office of the Mayor audit Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

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Reposted by Sam Austin

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

One of these two candidates for UK public office is a complete joke. The other has a bin for a face.

Image of Count Binface and Nigel Farage, who are running against each other in a UK by-election.

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Sam Austin @samaustind5.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Hmm. That's tough to answer. All I can really say is there is discussion but no official announcement at this time. I think Council has been clear that we think the program is valuable. In the midst of a tough budget year, we left HRM's funding in place in case the Province has a change of heart.

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