|  | | | Now that the Christmas tree at Sullivan’s Pond is lit, the holiday season is truly upon us here in Dartmouth. I want to thank the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission and African Nova Scotia Music Association—soon to be new tenants of the Sanctuary Arts Centre on Ochterloney St— for putting on an awesome show of local talent this year! Despite the rain, hundreds of hardy Dartmouthians came together and it was a great time all around! There are more holiday events still to come in Dartmouth listed at the end of this newsletter.
Speaking of our amazing community, a ton of Dartmouth businesses and people were recognized by The Coast’s Best Of Halifax awards this year. Congratulations to all!
If you’re looking for holiday gifts, support our local businesses who, unique to Dartmouth, are mostly owned by people who also live in our community. The DDBC has put together a great gift guide, but there are also businesses in North Woodside and the Grahams Grove area that you won’t want to miss out on.
One last reminder about my holiday gathering at the new Kiwanis building at Grahams Grove next Friday December 15th from 8:30am - 10:30am. I hope to see you there, and please RSVP if you can! |  |
|  | At the Dartmouth Tree Lighting
|  | Donating to the annual Toy Drive HRFE STN 12 in Highfield Park
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| Meanwhile, I know the holidays can be challenging for many. The majority of our work continues to be around housing. I continue to advocate for more housing as it’s impossible to ignore the number of people without a secure place to live in our community right now.
Sadly, there was a tragic death in Dartmouth last week. My condolences to Dan’s family and friends. It’s clearer than ever that we need more action, including reforming residential tenancies, and ensuring that no one is sleeping outside.
Housing is also an issue that touches so many of us more broadly. If it’s not you, maybe its your adult child or parent or family member or neighbour. We need to ensure people can find and keep housing in our community at all levels and I'll continue to fight for this on all of our behalf.
Part of the way in which my office can support people with housing insecurity is through identifying provincial programs and opportunities like public housing. My staff are trained to complete Provincial Housing applications, add people to the By Name List that identifies people as homeless and connects them with potential housing, and help guide people through basic Residential Tenancies issues.
The list to get into Provincial Housing (public housing) is many years and thousands of people long. One way we have been able to fast-track folks in dire situations (living outside, fleeing family violence, or living in inadequate housing that is considered life-threatening) is through a Priority Access application. Unsurprisingly, in recent years, the Priority Access list has grown rapidly as the number of people facing dire housing situations has increased.
Unfortunately, as of this week week, our office is no longer able to fill out these forms. Rather, these tasks are being downloaded to already overburdened Housing Support Workers, medical doctors, and police, or to those who will most certainly charge by the hour: psychologists, home inspectors, and tradespeople. This policy creates yet another barrier for Nova Scotians trying to find affordable housing options.
During a recent canvass in the Gaston Road area, I spoke with constituents who received egregious illegal notices of rent increase. The fact is that they have few options if they are faced with eviction so many do not bring these increases to residential tenancies.
I brought this issue to the table at the last Public Accounts Committee meeting (see below) where we discussed affordable housing programs, and we will continue to raise the issue until progress is made. |  | | On the DoorsGetting out to chat with you is so important for informing the work I do in the legislature. Speaking with residents by the Dartmouth Common, I found folks are both worried for those who are sleeping rough and experiencing a rise in petty crime. If you do experience a theft, please report it to HRP. They cannot track trends or allocate resources without hard data. It’s quick and easy to do. Please also note that we have a community police officer in Downtown Dartmouth. Cst. Ian Walsh can be contacted at 902-490-5016 or walshia@halifax.ca. |
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| Drive-Through ImmunizationThe Dartmouth General Hospital continues to innovate and now offers drive-through COVID-19 and influenza immunization appointments for up to four people per vehicle. The drive-through is located behind the hospital on Mt. Hope Drive. It operates on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 7:30am- 3:30pm. One person can book the appointment for up to four people over the age of 12. Visit https://novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca/en/covid-flu-booking to make an appointment.
Drivers are asked to note the following: Large trucks, high-sided vehicles or motorcycles are not permitted. The maximum height for vehicles is 7'7''. Clinical staff must be able to reach your arm from their standing position outside the vehicle. You are not be permitted to leave your vehicle during the appointment. Apart from registered service animals, pets are not permitted inside the vehicle. Anyone with a previous reaction to an immunization (fainting, anaphylaxis, etc.) should not use the drive through option.
If you require assistance booking your appointment or if you do not have a Nova Scotia Health Card, please call 1-833-797-7772 for support. | Keeping on the topic of the Dartmouth General Hospital, I was lucky to tour the first-ever MRI unit site at the DGH and see where the 26,000lb magnet will be lowered in through the roof! I also got to sign one of the support beams. Thanks as always to the incredible team at the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation! | | 9-8-8 Crisis Helpline LaunchedThe new 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline is now available. It provides urgent, live, trauma-informed support by phone and text 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Nova Scotians can continue to access the Provincial Mental Health and Addictions crisis line toll-free at 1-888-429-8167, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for themselves or someone they are concerned about. The Provincial crisis line connects Nova Scotians to trained clinicians and is available to anyone across the province. The 9-8-8 service is intended to provide an additional, three-digit option.
More mental health support services are listed on my website.
Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP) UpdatesSince launching on October 16th, HARP has received over 100,000 applications. Staff are working as quickly as possible, but many applications will take longer than the stated eight-week timeframe to process. Most Nova Scotians who applied between October 16th and 20th will receive their rebate before the holidays if no additional information is needed. Unfortunately, those who applied later won’t receive their rebate until the new year. You can use the HARP Status Check tool at www.novascotia.ca/harpstatus to confirm if an application has been received or to see if it's been approved. If you applied by mail, Nova Scotians can request their confirmation number from a Service NS Contact Centre representative. In Dartmouth, the number is (902) 424-5851.
Community Oven The Park Avenue Community Oven has been quiet for a few years. But now a group of locals are working on reactivating a board and become an association again. If you’re interested in supporting the rebuilding process please email dartmouthgarden@gmail.com. | | Tests KitsReminder that COVID tests are always available for free at my office: Quaker Landing, 33 Ochterloney St, Suite 360.
Up-to-date information about COVID-19 FAQs, best practices, etc is available at: nshealth.ca/coronavirus. |
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| As always, if you need assistance, please reach out to my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachendermla@gmail.com.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Claudia
|  | | Giving Back |  | Every year, my office highlights a Dartmouth South organization for your consideration for end-of-year giving. Past organizations include Alice House, HomeBridge, the Dartmouth Community Fridge, and Club 24. This year, we’d like to highlight the work of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia.
This organization supports marginalized groups of identified women, girls, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals. E Fry NS works to “break the cycles that lead to criminalization by offering critical supports for transitional housing, programming both in jail and in the community to help develop essential life skills, and a range of court navigation services to provide underserved communities with the access to justice they deserve.”
Just today, they received a Nova Scotia Human Rights Award for their critical work, which has changed so many lives. If you are able, consider making a financial donation to Elizabeth Fry toward gifts for families, groceries, gift cards, and other essentials. Please note "Christmas Help" in the donation form. Thank you! | | | | Additionally, the YWCA’s Supportive Housing Programs are trying a different style of giving this season and are in need of support.
“Receiving gift cards as a donation gives me the choice to buy what we need. With the essentials being the most important, groceries, diapers, and clothing with some fun items as well." – Supportive Housing for Young Mothers participant
Most requested stores: Superstore, No Frills, Loblaws, and Walmart. |
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| Contact Jennifer Ells for more info and to coordinate drop off: J.ells@ywcahalifax.com
Physical gift cards can be dropped off to SHYM at: 4 Mount Hope Ave, Dartmouth.
E-Gift cards can be sent to Housing Manager, Krista Dunn at: k.dunn@ywcahalifax.com | | Provincial | ENGAGE: Regional Transportation PlanJoint Regional Transportation Agency (JRTA) has entered their next stage of public engagement on the Regional Transportation Plan.
An online survey about the plan's Vision, Goals, and Principles is now available. The Vision, Goals, and Principles help guide our work, and we want to make sure they reflect the needs and wants of Nova Scotians. The survey can be found here and is available until December 18, 2023. We also have a new video available, which summarizes the work to date, with a call to action to complete the survey. In January, we’ll be hosting a series of in-person and virtual Open Houses. So stay tuned for that! | Community | Christmas Magic at St James United Church
Crafts, baking, new to you, centre piece, silent auction, coffee, tea, cookies, gifts from the kitchen, tours of the sanctuary
Donations in support of the downtown Dartmouth Street Navigator
Sat., Dec. 9th 1pm - 3:30pm 183 Portland St
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| | A Christmas Spectacular
A children's holiday musical theatre event! Join us in the North Pole to experience a Christmas variety show with a cast full of holiday characters, and some special guests! There will be singing and dancing and tons of holiday cheer!
Dec 14 - 17 Sanctuary Arts Centre, 100 Ochterloney St | |
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| | | 211 Seeks Board Members
This is an exciting opportunity to join the board of a community service staple. 211 is now accepting applications for five new members of the Board of Directors. They're looking for applicants from across Nova Scotia who can bring unique and diverse experiences to their work. | |
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| Resources | | | | Follow Claudia | | | | |
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