Morris Street vibe-ocracy

Provincial meddling in bike lane bewilders council

By Antionia Zwissler

When city council meets down on Argyle Street, the blinds are drawn and the white ceiling lights make fun house mirrors of tables, walls, and bald heads. On August 5, a plan for 700 meters of bike lane, democratically approved at least three times in the past eight years, was besieged by mayor Andy Fillmore and premier Tim Houston.

During council’s July break, Houston called them to the front of class for a slap on the hand. He sent a letter telling council to stop the Morris Street shenanigans before he makes them stop, and posted it on Twitter/X for good measure. Houston’s words were backed up by Fillmore, but not by data.

Complaints from Emergency Medical Care Incorporated, the company that supplies Nova Scotia with emergency healthcare, the Halifax Port Authority, and the Halifax branch of the Port of Singapore (PSA Halifax) were the folks who lobbied Houston for provincial intervention. Those complaints haven’t been made public, but councillors said they weren’t evidence-based.