FUSION Halifax

It started with a room full of people and a wall of suggestions for the future of Halifax. It has grown into a multi-faceted organization with a focus on the future of Nova Scotia’s capital city.

Fusion Halifax is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization for people aged 20 to 40 who live in the Halifax area. The organization provides networking opportunities for its members, but it is also focused on actively improving Halifax to make it attractive to younger professionals.

“We welcome members of all ages, but our focus is on attracting and retaining young people. Fusion provides opportunities for young Halifax area residents to connect, but it is also a vehicle for members to get involved in developing the city to suit their needs and interests,” says Fusion director and lawyer Level Chan.

Modeled on a similar organization in Saint John, Fusion Halifax started in 2007 with the formation of an inaugural board of directors. In October of that year, the organization launched with a networking event attended by more than 300 people. Event attendees were invited to contribute their suggestions to a dream wall with one overarching question – what would your Halifax look like? Suggestions were then categorized and helped Fusion establish six action teams, each focused on a separate aspect of the city.

“Research shows that cities with a strong connection to young people experience consistent growth and success. If a city has an established business sector, a thriving downtown, a dynamic arts and cultural scene and offers great job opportunities, it is more appealing to younger professionals. Fusion Halifax is about making Halifax a tempting destination for young people looking for a place to live and work.”

Volunteers signed up at the launch event and were invited to join an action team based on their area of interest. Chan explains the initial action teams focused on professional development, urban development, health and wellness, diversity, sustainability and arts and culture. The teams had their work cut out for them --build awareness, generate support for ideas, and communicate potential areas for improvement.

“It was truly a grassroots movement. If people are passionate about a subject it’s amazing what they can accomplish.”

For example, in late 2008, the ‘People Factor’ action team surveyed young professionals to determine what would make Halifax a better place to work. They held an event to announce the results. The Urban Development team made a collective decision to support HRMbyDesign, a plan that aimed to strike a balance between business and culture in the development of the city. The Health and Wellness group held ‘Fitness Foursomes’ at downtown locations to introduce workers to new forms of fitness.

“The action teams really made things happen. Fusion started as an active organization and it’s that momentum that has helped us draw more members and become more involved in planning for growth in Halifax,” Chan says.

Fusion recently restructured its board to focus on operational support for three main objectives: progressive downtown development, employment growth and sustainable transportation. To that end, the organization is encouraging its members to get involved in initiatives related to these areas.

“Initially, the main priority was awareness. That’s still a focus but we’re getting more involved at the organizational level to make Halifax into the city we want it to be.”

Chan says Fusion Halifax promotes employers that take a progressive approach to engaging younger workers. Fusion members are also taking strong positions on issues related to urban development – like the new convention centre in downtown Halifax.

“We recognize that Halifax is still a work in progress. Fusion is focused on making a positive contribution.”

Chan says Fusion is seeing a higher level of interest among its members and is making a real effort to get more young people involved on committees and boards to change policy.

“Government and business really value the perspectives we offer as an organization of young professionals. We’re receiving more invitations to speak and to get involved in planning committees. That’s how we know we’ve made progress.”

Chan says there is room for organizations like Fusion in smaller communities around the province. He believes every community can benefit by engaging its younger professionals.

“Young professionals tend to stay and work in communities where there are others like them and where they feel accepted. We’re assisting Fusion Saint John in developing a “Fusion in a Box” package. This would be a tool that would enable interested groups to establish their own Fusion in towns throughout Nova Scotia. We believe that what we’re doing has provincial impact and stands to benefit people living throughout the region.”

Chan says Fusion Halifax members regularly tell him that Halifax is a city with unrealized potential.

“Young workers are very positive about what opportunities are here. They see that people are engaged and they have a real interest in the future. Most of all, they see that we’re doing something about it, and that’s what counts.”

As for the future of Fusion Halifax, Chan believes the organization will continue to grow, both in size and in its influence.

“We want to be involved in creating change. We want to connect and engage young people to live, work and play in Halifax. Fusion Halifax will continue to lead the charge and develop the potential of this city to make it the best place to stay and succeed.”