Summer has finally arrived, with a record heat wave. I hope everyone managed to stay safe and find ways to keep cool last week. If you're looking for a break from the heat, the Alderney Library is always a welcoming place to spend an afternoon, and of course our beautiful Dartmouth lakes are a favourite summer destination. Be sure to check local lake water testing and safety updates before you head out.
It has already been an incredible start to the summer in Dartmouth South. Our waterfront was full of energy on Canada Day, and it has been wonderful to see so many people out enjoying everything our community has to offer.
One of the highlights of my summer so far was attending several of the Canoe '26 races, taking part in the medal ceremonies, and connecting with neighbours and visitors from around the world. I am so proud of how Dartmouth welcomed athletes from 56 countries, and of the outstanding sportsmanship and performances from our own competitors, including Dartmouth South resident and Banook Canoe Club paddler Grace Theunissen and her partner Victoria Tran who won Gold in the Junior Women's C2 500m event. A huge thank you to the volunteers, organizers and community members who came together to pull this off on a very limited timeline, with a special shout out to lead organizer and Dartmouth South resident Ben Russell.
There is still so much to look forward to this month. The Mother Goose Festival returns to Alderney Landing this weekend, and Multifest will once again bring our community together from July 24–26 with incredible cultural performances, delicious food, local artisans, family activities, and entertainment for all ages. The MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning has a fantastic lineup of summer programs and events, and if you're exploring downtown - stop by the Back to the Sea Centre!
As always, your input and engagement are so important. Whether through emails, phone calls, meetings, or conversations at community events, hearing directly from residents helps shape the work I do every day. Thank you to everyone who has reached out recently to share your ideas, concerns, and feedback. I hope to see many of you out and about this summer, and if you're in the neighbourhood, please stop by my constituency office to say hello.
As always, if you need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 902-406-2301 or claudiachender@nsmla.ca.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Claudia
