Coun. Bill Karsten speaks during Tuesdays nuclear weapon debate.

It was meant to be a symbolic gesture a wish for peace but concerns over jurisdictional meddling kept some of Richard Zurawskis colleagues from fully supporting his call to abolish nuclear weapons.

Zurawski brought the four-part motion to councils meeting on Tuesday. It read in full:

That Halifax Regional Council:

This motion is a commemoration, a wish for peace, a wish for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a small act on our behalf to write a letter in support of those in the federal government who would support the abolition of nuclear weapons, Zurawski said.

Coun. Bill Karsten was the most vocal opponent of Zurawskis motion.

Its not about me being a warmonger or me thinking this is great to have nuclear weapons in the world, Karsten said.

What it is for me is so near and dear to my hear; its jurisdictional.

Karsten was worried about stepping on the toes of the federal government which has yet to sign or ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons website.

We dont know the federal governments position, Karsten said. Why would a council in Halifax, Nova Scotia want to weigh in on something that in reality is the federal governments responsibility?

Coun. Stephen Adams had the same concern, and also worried that the third part, allowing the creation of removable chalk outlines on the Grand Parade, would encourage gathering during the pandemic.

I have an immense amount of respect for Councillor Zurawski and I understand why hes brought this forward, Adams said. I get that, but as Councillor Karsten said, its a bit outside what we should do and who knows what it will lead to.

Coun. David Hendsbee expressed concern that the motion might lead to Halifax declaring itself a nuclear-free zone meaning big U.S. Navy ships carrying nuclear weapons wouldnt be welcome in the harbour. He was assured that wouldnt be the case.

The first part of the motion passed with only Karsten voting no. The second part passed unanimously. The third part passed with only Adams voting no.

On the fourth part the letter councillors Steve Streatch, David Hendsbee, Lorelei Nicoll, Sam Austin, Richard Zurawski, Paul Russell, Tim Outhit and Mayor Mike Savage and Deputy Mayor Lisa Blackburn voted yes.

Councillors Bill Karsten, Tony Mancini, Russell Walker, Stephen Adams, and Matt Whitman voted no.

Tuesdays motion was reminiscent of another by Zurawski. In 2018, he sought his colleagues support for a motion opposing offshore oil drilling.

As the Halifax Examiner reported the next day:

Zurawski cited the release of the International Panel on Climate Changes most recent report last week, which underscored the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions pretty much immediately or face irreversible climate change and all the human horrors that will come along with it.

The reason for this motion is a message to the public that we must stop this we have a dire report saying the continued use of fossil fuels is bad said Zurawaski, and the offshore is the epitome of continued use of fossil fuels.

The motion was defeated on a 10-6 votes. The yes votes (in opposition to drilling) came from councillors ShawnCleary, Lisa Blackburn, Stephen Adams, Waye Mason, Lindell Smith, and Zurawski. Mayor Mike Savage is in China and so didnt vote. All others voted pro-drilling.

Understand this was a toothless motion. Had it passed, it would have had no force of law. Stephen McNeil and his government would have kept on with their plans to expand the offshore. The motion was merely symbolic, a statement of concern.

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Five Halifax councillors wouldn't support letter advocating abolition of nuclear weapons - Halifax Examiner