FHC members actively keep themselves, city officials, and the public informed about issues facing the Common. Over the years, hospitals, universities, and public institutions have expanded into Common space. We oppose this quiet transfer of citizen-owned Common lands for these developments.

FHC members present our concerns at public hearings of HRM Council and committee meetings.

We're pushing back to protect access by demanding that public services never come at the expense of community green space. It is our position that all changes to the Common should involve transparency and public consultation so we petition the government when necessary. Ultimately, we want legal protection of the remaining Common lands for future generations. 

We write and distribute the FHC newsletter on a bi-monthly basis to all who subscribe. (see Newsletter box on the Connect page).

We write about issues in our News blog.

We speak to the media via 95.7FM talk radio, engage with  CBC and other press interviews and take advantage of other engagements with alternative press all of which are published in our News Blog.

Each year, on the first weekend in May, we participate in Jane's Walks - an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs. Our walk usually highlights an area of the Common lost to development. In 2025 we revisited Camp Hill Cemetery. Jane’s Walks are a fun and interesting way to learn more about our city and the Common.

We grow through public outreach. Find out more about the 6 ways to connect with us.

Our issues must be covered in the media. To that end, we issue press releases (posted in our News blog) so that our members will be asked to speak to the media. 
 
For example, we sought press coverage when we protested the destruction of trees (along Robie St at Bell Rd) to accommodate the construction of a new hospital. (In our estimation, destroying trees was a decision made without truly considering the value of these trees.) We subsequently received significant media coverage of an FHC public meeting to prevent the negative effects of further damages of Robie St near North St for street widening.

The street widening proposal included cutting down 80 trees and demolishing 20 affordable properties in use by low-income families and community groups. Our efforts garnered news reports from multiple media contacts who followed-up by covering our following street protest of the continuing destruction.
 
Writing letters to the editor has also been an important tool to reach a larger audience. Some of our members are regular contributors to the ‘Letters to the Editor’ column in Halifax printed news media.

Annual General Meeting

The public is welcome at our AGM held each October. (announced on our website and in our newsletter). At the AGM we typically review the past year, host a guest speaker, meet new members, and discuss the status of our campaigns, actions and projects.

Campaigns

Throughout the year as we develop various campaigns we reach out to members and to the media for engagement over these issues. 

One of our most important activities is to promote and organize letter-writing campaigns to members of Council not only to inform them but to have an influence on their decision-making.

 Connect with us to join FHC, participate, or otherwise support our campaigns.