Halifax Regional Council tunes in to first virtual meeting

The first digital council meeting took place Thursday, April 2, with a few disruptions and technical difficulties.

Residents and people around the world were able to watch the meeting through a link on the city’s website.

Mayor Mike Savage started off the meeting with roll call to ensure everyone’s cameras and microphones were up and running.

“I want to thank the folks in IT and at the municipality who are working very hard and have made it possible to share this council meeting with you,” Savage said.

The Mayor said that although COVID-19 had impacted almost all aspects of life, council still needed to meet.

“This is a virtual chamber but I promise you this is where we’re going to make real decisions,” he said.

The 16 city councillors were all online, although Councillor Richard Zurawski acknowledged he had a bit of difficulty getting on the call.

“Thank you technical support for getting me up and running, I was panicking there,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Lisa Blackburn said she was keeping in good spirits at home, and held up a “wash your hands” sign.

Mayor Savage first addressed the situation of the pandemic, thanking everyone for showing up for their community during a time of crisis.

“I know that all of us around this virtual table have heard from fearful residents. People who are lonely, workers who have lost their jobs, and business owners that are close to folding or have already closed,” he said.

For the most part, there were minimal technical difficulties during the online meeting. Just before 4:00 p.m., Mayor Savage cut out from the meeting while introducing a new item. He later said this was due to a power outage at City Hall.

“It flickered and everything went out, we couldn’t get internet,” he said afterwards when the meeting resumed.

All councillors participated in the digital meeting, although some indicated frustrations accessing information, and brought up the importance of access to internet throughout the entire municipality.

“Having this meeting today in a virtual reality also shows the need for rural broadband,” said Coun. David Hendsbee. “I’m hoping the government will speed ahead on some programs for getting the internet further out into the reaches of our rural municipality. We need this for our people to stay connected.”

Other Councillors said they were happy to be at home in their comfy clothes.

“I could get used to this,” said Coun. Zurawski.

The digital meeting brought on other changes as well. Instead of using a recording system, votes were voiced out loud and noted by a city clerk.

Minutes from the meeting should be posted on the city’s website within 24 hours.