Morris Street
In order to talk about Morris Street, some context is required. I do think it’s important to call out that there is nothing new about this project. Phase 2 of Peninsula South Complete Streets (of which Morris Street is a part) has been complete since 2022, and had full engagement at that time:
https://www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/peninsula-south-complete-streets
Implementation of that work was presented to the Transportation Standing Committee in August of 2024 (presentation here), and the project was approved by the previous council in October of 2024 (package here, presentation to council here).
According to the minutes of the meeting that approved Morris St. in 2024 (previous Council), it passed with a vote of 15-2 in favor:
In favour: Mayor Savage, Deputy Mayor Deagle Gammon, Councillors Hendsbee, Kent, Austin, Mancini, Mason, Smith, Cleary, Morse, Cuttell, Stoddard, Lovelace, Blackburn, Outhit
Against: Councillors Purdy, Russell
To the very best of my knowledge, here was no push back from the the port authority, the province or any emergency service regarding Morris St. when it was approved by the previous council last October.
In the last report, where this current council voted in favor of continuing with the plan already approved by the previous council, because the challenges that made Morris street one-way the most favorable option didn't change, just the recommendation did. There only are so many options: keep Morris one way and have bike lanes in both directions, rip up trees and parking for two-way traffic on Morris, or move a bike lane (in one direction) to another street - expanding the entire network (and using roads on an incline and likely not used), but making room for two-way traffic.
Traffic was highlighted as a problem in debate and through correspondence, so Councillor White amended the motion so that it would be implemented tactically – meaning it would be temporary should problems arise and need to be moved, and much more cost effective as well. Also, The Halifax Port Authority, which has become a major talking point because of their need to use Morris St. for a secondary route, has also claimed - through their own communication (link here) - that up to 75% of the port trucks are planned to be out of downtown (further reading here). This was part of my decision, as the 2025/2026 plan we were voting on was for the design only, and not the construction. Construction would follow in the upcoming years.
EHS did write a letter on July 16th. That communication was written and received after we had already voted on the agenda package from July 8th.
I’ll also share some statistics which informed my decision, which came from Nova Scotia Public Health:
• One third of Nova Scotians don’t or can’t drive. This includes seniors, people with disabilities, and children. AAA Active transportation networks (as described in the IMP) provide safe travel options for all ages and abilities, making active transportation more accessible for everyone.
• Equity-deserving groups are less likely to participate in active transportation without protected infrastructure, such as women, racialized communities, people with disabilities, newcomers, seniors, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Many of these groups experience higher rates of illness, chronic diseases, and premature deaths due to social disadvantages that active travel and public transit can help mitigate.
• Physical inactivity costs Canada about $6.8 billion per year in health-related costs based on its contribution to chronic diseases. Active travel is a means of integrating physical activity into one’s daily routine. Active transportation networks and transit have specifically been shown to help promote health, decrease obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
• In Halifax, seventy-three percent of micromobility collisions occur where there is no specific infrastructure such as a bike lane or multi-use pathway. With 600 shareable e-bikes and scooters recently added to HRM, connected and protected bike routes are more important than ever to reduce preventable injuries on our roads.
• Dedicated bike lane infrastructure supports injury prevention and increased safety for all on the road. Cycling provides many benefits for children and youth, promoting healthy routines that can extend throughout the lifespan. However, it also carries a risk of serious injury, particularly when cyclists are on the road with motorized vehicles. The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends implementation of protected bike lanes that physically separate cyclists from vehicles especially near schools, community centres, and recreation and play spaces.
• The climate crisis is the biggest threat to public health of the century. Cycling is one of the most sustainable forms of transportation. Active transportation options such as cycling often reduce traffic congestion, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
All the communication we received regarding the Morris St. bike lane project are available online (including the above from NS Public Health):
The dialogue around Morris Street has become one about traffic, and while that necessity of that conversation can't be overstated, neither should safety. According to HRM’s statistics available in their Road Safety Dashboard, 335 bicycle collisions have occurred between 2020-2024.
Lastly, and I think this is truly significant, the province has also changed the minimum planning requirements (link here) in the Halifax Charter, Which includes, among other things:
Mandatory content related to housing supply: 4A(2)
(h) for residential buildings that begin construction before April 1, 2027, provide that no requirement related to unit mix applies;
(i) provide that no requirement for on-site parking applies to residential uses within the urban service area;
(j) for multi-unit residential buildings that begin construction before April 1, 2027, not require that the ground floor consist of more than 20% commercial space;
We are in a position where housing is built with no parking requirements. The folks living in these new units will have to have non-vehicular transportation options, also. Love or hate bike lanes, the truth is we can't continue to densify the urban centre while relying on vehicular modes of transportation forever.
Councillor White (District 7, which includes Morris St.) talked about the state of Morris Street with CBC (audio here).
Due to the above factors, some have called Morris Street an excuse to pursue strong mayor powers (article here).
Since that interview, the August 5 agenda became available online, and includes recommendations for Morris (link here). I can't say how the vote will go, but I can say that with Bill 24 and the Premier's position, I don't see a case where council will vote against a solution that isn't acceptable to the province, given Bill 24 would force the municipality to pull out any infrastructure at our expense if they choose. Having said all that, a recent court ruling in Ontario overturned a decision to remove bike lanes on constitutional grounds (article here) - citing safety issues and lack of evidence.