What is the long-term vision for the Citizens for Halifax Society?
To build the most liveable and vibrant city in Canada.
What is the Society?
The Society is a non-partisan citizen action group.
Are there similar organizations elsewhere in Canada?
Yes, the best known is the Non-Partisan Association (www.npavancouver.ca) that has existed in Vancouver since 1937. There are also a number of other similar groups established across Canada.
What are the key objectives of the Society?
To increase civic engagement and improve civic leadership.
How will the Society affect change?
By encouraging the most qualified candidates to run for civic office in Halifax that support the goals and principles of the Society and by increasing participation rates among citizens in civic affairs, especially the electoral process.
What does the Society see as the biggest challenges to achieving its long-term vision?
We believe that, in addition to a serious lack of leadership on Council, the current municipality has serious structural problems related to both the size of Council and the urban/rural split on Council itself.
What is the Society’s position on these issues?
We believe, simply put, that the municipality should be divided into its two natural constituencies; one, a city municipality for urban residents, and two, a county municipality for rural residents. Furthermore, we strongly believe that the size of the councils for both these municipal units should be dramatically reduced to a more manageable size.
What are the expectations of members’ participation in the Society?
Members are expected to support the goals and principles of the Society, help recruit other members, participate in the development of the Society’s policies and positions, participate in the annual election of the board of directors and encourage the participation of all citizens in civic affairs, particularly the electoral process.
Where can I find out more about the Society?
The society has a website (www.citizensforhalifax.ca), a blog site (http://citizensforhalifax.wordpress.com) and a Facebook Group to exchange ideas and comments.