History
In 2002, HRM announced the Harbour Solutions Project which would build waste water treatment facilities. It included a one million dollar 'Community Integration Fund' (CIF) allocated to each community where a treatment facility was to be located.
Community Liaison Committees (CLC) were formed by community volunteers. After many years of volunteer work and consultations, the Halifax CLC saw the potential for their fund to be a catalyst for positive change in their area through the creation of a lasting Community Investment Fund.
Those consulted include the following:
- Community Foundation of Nova Scotia
- Centre Entrepreneurship, Education and Development
- Black Business Initiative
- United Way of Halifax
- Students from St. Patrick's, Oxford, Queen Elizabeth, St. Patrick's Alexandra School
- St. George's Youth Net
- St. George's Church
- Cornwallis Street Baptist Church
- Black Educator's Association
- Black Community Advocacy
- Association Community Action on Homelessness
- Community Youth and G.E. M. Program
In July 2007, the CLC recruited and formed a new 12 member volunteer Board of Directors to create this Fund. 75% of this board either lives or works in the community. Four of these board members come from the original CLC to ensure continuity.
The Halifax CIF Board has looked at what the community told the CLC during the many consultations and is incorporating this in its program deliberations.
The Community Investment Fund will start small and grow over time. When one program is running smoothly, the Halifax CIF Board will expand its activities.