August 12, 2026 Special Events Advisory Committee

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1.1 African Nova Scotian Affirmation

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – June 10, 2026

3. APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

4. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
5. CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
6. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS – NONE
    
7. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS
7.1 Correspondence 
7.2 Petitions
7.3 Presentations

The following presentations are a part of the 2026 Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve Grant report:

7.3.1 2027 Skate Canada Trophy – Skate Canada
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.2 2026 AFL Canada Club Championships – Australian Football League Canada
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.3 NHL Street Harbour Fest – NHL Foundation Canada
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.4 Sackville Afterglow: A Winter Light Experience – Sackville Business Association
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.5 2027 Bell AUS Basketball Championships – Atlantic University Sport Association
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.6 USPORTS Men's & Women's Basketball Final 8 – Dalhousie University
- Presentation [PDF]

7.3.7 2027 Canadian Ringette Championships – Harbour City Lakers Ringette Association
- Presentation [PDF]

8. INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD – NONE

9. REPORTS/DISCUSSION
9.1 STAFF
9.1.1 Major Events Policy Framework [PDF]
- Presentation [PDF]
Motion:
That the Special Events Advisory Committee recommend Halifax Regional Council:

1.    Endorse the Major Event and Growth Policy Framework, attached as Attachment 1 to the staff report dated July 15, 2026, as the guiding document for how the Municipality proactively supports, attracts, and grows major events, establishing shared values and clear expectations for municipal participation;

2.    Endorse the development of the Event Attraction and Portfolio Strategy, which is a component of the Framework and led by Discover Halifax in collaboration with HRM, as the mechanism to identify, prioritize, and advance event opportunities consistent with the Framework.

3.    Direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to work with Discover Halifax to prepare and return to Regional Council with:

a.    proposed amendments to Administrative Order 2014-020-GOV (Marketing Levy Special Event Reserve Grants) as set forth in the staff report dated July 15, 2026; and

b.    draft detailed policy instruments required under the Framework, as set forth in the staff report dated July 15, 2026.
 
4.    Authorize staff to apply the guiding values and principles of the Framework as reference points for event planning and funding decisions in the interim, pending full policy adoption; and

5.    Direct staff to report annually through the Special Events Advisory Committee (SEAC) on progress implementing the Framework, including updates to policies, performance metrics, and event impact outcomes.

11. ADDED ITEMS

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – September 9, 2026

13. ADJOURNMENT    

INFORMATION ITEMS

1. Memorandum from the Legislative Assistant dated August 4, 2026 re: Requests for Presentation to Special Events Advisory Committee [PDF]

For further information regarding this meeting, please contact Olawumi Odeyinka-Apantaku, Legislative Assistant, at Olawumi.Odeyinka-Apantaku@halifax.ca or 902-717-6035.

To submit correspondence, email clerks@halifax.ca
More information: https://www.halifax.ca/city-hall/regional-council/communicating-halifax-regional-council