My First Newsletter

Written By Suzy Hansen

MARCH 2022 NEWSLETTER
Hey Halifax Needham!!!!

I start off with excitement as this is my first newsletter, and I am super excited to be your newly Elected MLA for Halifax Needham.
As this is the first newsletter out to constituents, I need to apologize for the length of this newsletter as It will have a whole lot of info, but moving forward future newsletters will not be as lengthy.
Let’s get into this, and if you have any questions about what is listed please feel free to reach out to me anytime - 902-455-7300.
Election and Onward.
Elected to my position on the 17th of Aug, The next day just so happened to be the Housing protest and removal of the TYVEK homes on the site of the old Library on Spring Garden rd. Standing in solidarity with the unhoused and advocates of those in need including some of my colleagues, we were witnesses at the rally and continue to speak our truth to the crisis that we experience here in NS on the housing front.
Not having a full functioning office to start out, searching for space really gave me an insight to the cost of rent for places in Halifax Needham, truly under my allocated office budget, I couldn’t afford a space in the riding without sacrificing staff compliment. Thankfully I was able to re-sign this lease, and things have been up and running since mid September.

My First sitting in Legislature Oct- Nov 2021
The Peoples House - What an experience to say the least! My feelings of not belonging soon subsided with the discussions and debates back and forth. It took me a few days to realize that sitting in the house was similar to the work that I have been doing for years; mediation, programming and troubleshooting situations and the like. The best part about my new role is that I get to make connections with departments from all across the province, networking is key, I am finding, to getting things done. The large number of new MLA's is super helpful as we are all trying to do our best for the constituents that we serve, and we all get to learn together.

Here’s what I have been doing as an MLA, but not limited to…..

Housing Protest – First day on the job – Aug 18 2021
Municipal, Provincial and Federal representatives meet and greet sharing experiences and plans for Halifax. – Oct 7 2021
Slumlord smackdown in Dartmouth – Oct 8 2021
Maiden speech in the House Oct 2021
She Nubian Liberation Film screening called Gen Lib @ the NBL – Oct 16 2021
Burger week events – Oct 14-23 2021
Basic income Now NS conference @ Halifax public library – Oct 23 2021
Oland’s Brewery Federal funding Announcement – Nov 15 2021
Nova Action Youth presentations’ – Climate change and environment. – Nov 21 2021
Housing Rally @ Province House – Nov 28 2021
QToy drive for the holidays Highfield park Fire station – Dec 3 2021
Veith house Annual Tree lighting – Dec 3 2021
Africville Tree lighting Dec 5 2021
Halifax Grammar School, Guest speaker along with Councillor Lindell Smith - Dec 6 2021
Viola Desmond discussion @ DBDLI - Dec 6 2021
Phoenix Luncheon – Dec 7 2021
Independent living NS Gala – Dec 9 2021
Ecology Action Centre Tour – Dec 10 2021
Love and support Rally for Kayla Borden - Dec 13 2021
NEBA holiday event – Dec 13 2021
Homeless Memorial on Spring Garden rd.- Dec 15 2021

Media and Statements
Sept 14 2021 - Rapid tests/ Education/ EECD
Sept 15 2021 - Housing
Sept 23 2021 - Housing
Sept 29 2021 - Housing
Oct 4 2021 - Housing
Oct 20 2021- Rent cap Housing
Nov 5 2021 - House sitting
Nov 10 2021 -Child care
Nov 22 2021 - Housing
Dec 2 2021 - Rent cap and Leases
Dec 17 2021 - Housing and homelessness
Dec 28 2021 - School calendar/ Education
Jan 6 2022 - Priority Boosters Teachers and ECE’s and staff
Jan 12 2022 - Homelessness and Housing
Jan 13 2022 - Boosters/ Education
Jan 14 2022 - Affordable Childcare
Jan 20 2022 - Universal Childcare
Jan 28 2022 - Housing
Jan 31 2022 - AHM
Feb 22 2022 – Yvonne Atwell unveiling in Province House
March 1 2022 – Homelessness, where’s the plan?
March 3 2022 – Renovictions?
March 4 2022 – Govt not talking to HRM about modular housing

We've also put together a resource guide, which can be found on our website, or download it here:
Resource guide for Halifax Needham 8(28.6%)

African Heritage Month

February was African Heritage Month, It is an opportunity for people to learn about the numerous, significant contributions that African Nova Scotians have made - and are still making - in every aspect of our daily lives.

But African Heritage Month does not end for me on February 28 -- I try to celebrate it 365 days a year. There are so many things that Black Nova Scotians have done to make contributions to our world, things we use every day, things that make our lives easier, and things we take for granted.

In the past, the contributions of African Canadians have been acknowledged informally. Nova Scotia has been a leader in officially promoting and recognizing African Canadian heritage.

  • 1985 – The official opening night of Black History Month at the Halifax North Branch Library

  • 1987 – First meeting of the Black History Month Association

  • 1988 – First Black History Month in Nova Scotia

  • 1996 – Black History Month renamed to African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia


Some of these actions have influenced Canada to act on a national level:

  • 1995 – The House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

  • 2008 – The Senate officially declared February as Black History Month. Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, Q.C., was the first Black Canadian appointed to the Senate. His motion was the final parliamentary procedure needed for Canada’s permanent recognition of Black History Month.

While I try to celebrate Black History every day, I do still believe in the importance of highlighting it during the month of February. If this nationwide celebration moves people to volunteer, open a book, or look something up that they might not have otherwise, and gain an understanding of the experiences of African Nova Scotians - that is an amazing thing.

MLA Suzy Hansen Sings Black National Anthem

I Celebrate African Heritage Month with this video of Myself, the MLA for Halifax Needham singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” also known as the Black National Anthem.

Events in Needham

Our First Open House (Post-Covid)

With restrictions lifting on March 21, we would like to invite you to the office on Friday, March 25 between 3-5pm. Everyone is welcome. We are located at 6080 Young St. Suite 1000. Come have a visit and a chat with your MLA and see what we've done with the place. Light refreshments will be available and we'll have a craft for the kids in attendance too!

Hope Blooms has the following programs ongoing

Mondays: Skill Trades for Grades 9 and 10 in partnership with Skill Trades NS.
Tuesdays: Greenpreneurs, youths grades 7 and 8. Right now they are doing art classes in partnership with the Macphee Center for Arts.
Wednesdays: Culinary arts from home. We send food boxes with ingredients for the recipe of the day (4 servings per family) + veggies and fruits for the family.
Thursdays: Social Enterprises production (Hot Cocoa Boys, Tri-Gold Beauty, Possibili-teas, Fresh Herbs Salad Dressing)
Bi-weekly on Thursdays, Food without borders. Women from the community come to share a recipe from their culture. Our chefs, the guest chef, and the youth will work on 200 meals to deliver to the community.

Do you have an event you'd like publicized? Sent it to us here

Suzy Hansen