Latest news with #HalifaxPublicLibraries
CTV News
12-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Halifax municipal accounts leave X, prompting questions about emergency communications
Halifax Fire is leaving the social network X and shifting to Bluesky. The Halifax Regional Municipality has officially launched accounts on the social media platform Bluesky – and will soon be leaving X, formerly Twitter, prompting questions about emergency communications. The primary HRM account, Halifax Fire & Emergency and Halifax Public Libraries are among six accounts making the switch. They will be inactive on X by July 14. While emergency municipal alerts (hfxALERT) are separate from social media, public safety and emergency communication are key focus areas for any government considering changing its social media presence, too. 'It's very top of mind, in fact, it's the primary and the first consideration when they start talking about what platforms to use,' says Giles Crouch, a digital anthropologist who is working with cities across Canada and the U.S. that are considering different platforms. 'The number one thing is, 'What do we do in emergencies and what platform works?'' That's why some emergency organizations are sticking with the status quo. Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Water and Halifax Public Libraries are all excluded from the move, the municipality said in a news release on Wednesday, as 'they each have unique governance structures, oversight boards and their own communications teams.' 'I think it would be a little irresponsible for us to switch to a new platform at this point in time,' Halifax Regional Police Const. Martin Cromwell told CTV News Atlantic on Thursday. Halifax Regional Police A Halifax Regional Police shoulder badge is pictured. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) That's because a lot of the force's social media usage is for public safety messaging, and he says they don't want to leave behind nearly 140,000 X followers. 'For us to switch from this platform, our current platform, may be damaging to people,' he says. 'They may not get that messaging.' In April, city councillors voted 16-to-one in favour of cutting ties with its X as an official social media platform. 'It's a decision that was taken as a result of public input that was gathered‚' says Mayor Andy Fillmore. 'It was also a part of a scan of other jurisdictions, and I'm supportive of it. X has become a bit of a gnarly place.' Councillor David Hendsbee was the lone dissenting vote. 'It's just political backlash that people have become very populist about,' he says. 'I just felt that, even though the Twitter was bought up by Elon Musk and renamed or rebranded X, it's still a very popular platform a lot of people are using.' All municipal accounts – except for Halifax police, Halifax Water, and Halifax Public Libraries – will be removed from X by July 14. The municipality and Halifax Fire both refused an interview Thursday, instead offering a statement. The union representing Halifax firefighters says it will still use X, as it's been a 'very effective tool for us in engaging people on public safety issues.' In a statement to CTV News Atlantic, the provincial government says its goal is to reach as many people as possible. 'We recognize that some Nova Scotians are leaving X, but at this time we are maintaining our X account to ensure we aren't leaving anyone behind,' says Alyse Hand, a spokesperson with the Executive Council Office. 'This is especially important for emergency situations where we want to use all communications platforms available.' Crouch says there are fewer bots on Bluesky, as it's 'harder to be automated and run the bots' when compared to X. 'It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine what is real and what isn't, especially as we see improvements with artificial intelligence creating videos and images as well,' Crouch says. Halifax City Hall Halifax City Hall is pictured. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Repairs to take months following leak at library, community centre in Dartmouth, N.S.
The Dartmouth North Public Library is closed due to a leak. (Source: Google Maps) A Dartmouth, N.S., library and community centre, which has been closed since March due to a water leak, will continue to be closed for months due to remediation work. The Dartmouth North Community Centre and Dartmouth North Public Library at 105 Highfield Park Drive suffered 'significant flood damage' on March 6, according to the Halifax Regional Municipality. At the time of the leak, Halifax Public Libraries said the building would be closed for at least five days. The municipality now says the site will remain closed for several months as the restoration work continues. All parks and recreation summer programs that were scheduled to be held at the community centre will now be located at the Gerald B. Gray Arena or a nearby Halifax Regional Centre for Education school. Halifax Public Libraries also plans to offer temporary service from a portable unit at the site. Additional details will be released in the coming weeks. Dartmouth North Public Library The Dartmouth North Public Library is closed due to a leak. (Source: Google Maps) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
11-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Free public talk: Thinking out loud together with novelist and professor Randy Boyagoda
March 19: Conversation about overcoming division at Halifax Central Library Caption: Randy Boyagoda is the author of four novels, and the University of Toronto's advisor on civil discourse for an exploration of dialogue, disagreement, and discourse in the 21st century. (Randy Boyagoda) Join novelist and professor Randy Boyagoda in a conversation about overcoming division at Halifax Central Library on Wednesday, March 19. This free event is open to the public and will: Explore dialogue, disagreement, and discourse in the 21st century Offer perspectives on why dialogue and discourse matter Explain how civil discourse can help increase shared understandings of important issues and ideas "Civil discourse provides a way for people to recognize and reckon with difference and disagreement, and because it contributes to the common good, advances knowledge, and supports the pursuit of truth," Boyagoda. This event is part of the Hear Me Out conversation series, a partnership between CBC and Halifax Public Libraries, that explores challenging and timely topics with an open mind. There will be an audience Q&A. The conversation will be recorded and featured on CBC's Atlantic Voice. Join us at this free event More about the Hear Me Out series A partnership between CBC and Halifax Public Libraries, Hear Me Out is a free conversation series that invites big thinkers and creators to host meaningful conversations, encouraging us to broaden our perspectives, listen, and build understanding. Image | Hear Me Out Talk 2 Elamin Caption: Hear Me Out talk #2 featuring acclaimed authors Rhaina Cohen, francesca ekwuyasi and Elamin Abdelmahmoud in February, 2025. (CBC) Open Image in New Tab Image | Hear Me Out Talk 1 Irshad Caption: Hear Me Out talk #1 featuring bestselling author and global scholar Irshad Manji in February, 2024. (All rights reserved, Evanston Photographic Studios Inc.) Open Image in New Tab
CBC
09-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Tips for talking in divisive times
Some of us curl into balls in the face of confrontation. Others pick a fight. Neither sounds super great for dealing with tough conversations, does it? Irshad Manji has thought a lot about how find common ground in polarized times, and the bestselling author and thinker joins Caroline Hillier on stage at the Halifax Central Library to explain all of that. A talk recorded in March 2024 as part of Hear Me Out, a collaboration between CBC Atlantic and the Halifax Public Libraries.
