Happy Summer!

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Sending out a short newsletter this week to wish you a very happy summer and a wonderful long weekend. Check out the many events coming up in the next couple of weeks in Dartmouth and beyond below. Property Tax Rebate for Seniors - Opens July 1st The Property Tax Rebate for Seniors helps low-income seniors with the cost of municipal residential property taxes. Rebates are 50% of what you paid on last year’s property taxes, up to a maximum of $800. More information will be live here on July 1st. Macdonald Bridge Bikeway Closed July 3-13 The Halifax Harbour Bridges (HHB) will close the bikeway from July 3-13 to resurface the bike lane approach spans. The resurfacing work includes removing and replacing the existing wearing surface. The work will be carried out around the clock to minimize travel disruption. During the interruption, HHB asks people on bicycles to walk their bikes across the bridge using the pedestrian sidewalk, if possible. Those with disabilities which prevent walking their bikes may ride with extreme caution, yielding to those walking. Alternatively, cyclists may take the bus or ferry for free. Individuals with e-bikes that are too heavy to push across the bridge are advised to make alternative arrangements for the 10-day period. As always, if you need assistance, please reach out to my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachendermla@gmail.com. Have a wonderful weekend, Claudia Provincial Increase in Nova Scotia Child Benefit The Nova Scotia Child Benefit is a tax-free payment to help eligible families with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. Families receiving the benefit will see: a $250 increase for the first child and each additional child for families earning less than $26,000 a $250 increase for the first child and $125 for each additional child for those earning between $26,000 and $33,999 You do not have to apply for the benefit, as it is based on personal income tax returns. Nova Scotians are encouraged to file their 2022 income tax returns for 2022 if they have not already filed. New Sick Note Rules Come into Effect As of Saturday, July 1, Nova Scotia employers can no longer request a sick note unless an employee is absent for more than five working days or has already had two absences of five or fewer working days in the previous 12-month period. When employees do need a sick note, another change allows other healthcare professionals besides doctors to provide it. Notes can come from any regulated healthcare provider who is providing care, such as nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, or social workers. The labour standards division of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration has the right to investigate and address complaints made in relation to requests for sick notes. Nova Scotians can contact the division at 1-888-315-0110 or labourstandards@novascotia.ca for more information or to report concerns. Community Harbourside Ribfest Four days of Ribs, Music, and Fun, on the Dartmouth waterfront! admission is $1 5+ world-renowned ribbers live entertainment all day full bar serving beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic drinks June 30th, 2023 11AM - 10PM July 1st, 2023 11AM - 10PM July 2nd, 2023 11AM - 10PM July 3rd, 2023 11AM - 5PM This is a 100% volunteer-run event hosted by Rotary Halifax Harbour. Proceeds from vendor fees, bar sales, and entry fees support local and international causes. DARTMOUTH SUNSHINE SERIES It’s a big weekend on the Dartmouth Sunshine Series Stage in Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park! We hope to see you downtown to enjoy these FREE family-friendly events this weekend! SATURDAY, JULY 1 12PM - Canadian Forces Snowbirds Air Show 12:30PM - 7th Canada Day Drumming Halifax 4:15PM - DJ MAGIC MIC 7PM - African Nova Scotian Music Association (ANSMA) Canada Day Concert 10PM - Firework Finale *𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳 (𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨), 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 11:30𝘈𝘔-1𝘗𝘔.* SUNDAY, JULY 2 Rain date for Canada Day programming. See schedule above. MONDAY, JULY 3 2PM - The Mellotones Southdale Community Art Market Each Monday (weather permitting) the Southdale Neighbours Community Garden is hosting a community art market from 4pm-8pm at the garden at 50 Rodney Road. The market includes craft vendors from across the city as well as some local artists performing or creating on-site. They kicked things off 2 weeks ago and each week have had over 20 vendors! The goal of these markets was to create a safe, barrier free space for a variety of vendors who may be new to the market world. There are no fees for vendors to set up, and they are open to, and celebrate, folks from all backgrounds and identities. Dartmouth North Pride Party All 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus) people & supporters welcome! WHEN: Thursday July 13, 5-7pm WHERE: Dartmouth North Library, 105 Highfield Park Dr. WHAT: Celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride FREE food, refreshments, music & activities. Pride Tea Come celebrate pride at Evergreen House! Dartmouth Heritage Museum is hosting our annual pride tea on Saturday, July 15th from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free to this family friendly event! Disability Pride Celebration DiscoverAbilities Events Society and the Halifax Chapter of People First are co-hosting the 1st Annual Disability Pride Event on Saturday, July 15 in the front plaza of the Halifax Central Library on Spring Garden Road. The goal of this event is to offer a safe space to celebrate disability and diversity and also hold space in a public area where others can join in the festivities and hopefully change any previously held negative perspectives on disability! Resources Dartmouth Food Calendar Every month Carla Foxe from the Halifax Public Libraries puts together the Dartmouth Food calendar. Please share this resource with anyone who could use it. Download PDF version. Mental Health Resources Financial Resources Follow Claudia