In Episode 20 of Community Gameplan, hosts Eric and Jim sit down with special guest Matt Stickland, founding editor of Grand Parade — a Halifax city hall newspaper — and host of The Grand Parade podcast. Matt brings years of on-the-ground reporting experience covering Halifax Regional Municipality, and joins Eric and Jim for a candid conversation about how city hall really works, the ongoing debate over property taxes, and what it takes to hold local government accountable through independent journalism.

The conversation covers:

• What's really happening inside Halifax City Hall right now
• Breaking down property tax policy and why reform has been decades in the making
• The role of independent, local journalism in keeping municipal government accountable
• Matt's path from the Navy and submarine service to journalism and founding Grand Parade
• Behind-the-scenes stories from covering council meetings, budgets, and community planning
• Why local news matters more than ever for cities like Halifax

Whether you're a Halifax resident trying to make sense of your tax bill or just someone who cares about how local government actually functions, this episode offers an insider's perspective you won't get anywhere else.

Matt Stickland is the founding editor of GrandParade.news, an independent Halifax city hall newspaper, and host of The Grand Parade podcast, which delivers an irreverent, in-depth look at Halifax city hall, its policies, and the people who shape them. Before launching Grand Parade, Matt spent a decade in the Navy — including deployment aboard HMCS Charlottetown and service as a submariner — before completing his Bachelor of Journalism and becoming one of Halifax's most dedicated municipal reporters.

Reach out to Matt - https://bsky.app/profile/landofsticks.bsky.social

https://www.grandparade.news/

Reach out to Eric Homan and Jim Smardon - info@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/therealestateteamns/

Eric Holman

Eric@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/ericholmanrealestate/

Jim Smardon

Jim@movewiththeteam.ca

https://www.instagram.com/jimsmardon.greenrealestate/

Jim and Eric sit down with their newest team member, Ayo Ajayi — and this one's a conversation you don't want to miss.

Born and raised in Nigeria with real estate in his blood, Ayo brings a unique perspective to the world of Canadian real estate. Since making the move to Canada and planting roots in the Maritimes, he's been on a mission to help his clients and community navigate the ins and outs of buying and selling property in a whole new market.

In this episode, we dig into Ayo's journey — from the real estate landscape in Nigeria to the nuances of the Canadian market, and what it really takes to bridge those two worlds. Whether you're new to the Maritimes or a longtime local, there's something in this conversation for everyone looking to understand real estate from a fresh angle.

And as always, the laughs come easy and the conversation flows freely. Pull up a chair — this is a good one.

Reach out to The Real Estate Team at info@movewiththeteam.ca

Want to be a guest or have a topic you would like us to cover, let us know.

Dartmouth pharmacist and Rotarian Jan Rose is changing lives — from Nova Scotia to East Africa. In this episode, she shares her inspiring work with CACHA (Community Aid for Children and Health in Africa), bringing vital healthcare to underserved communities through international medical missions powered by Rotary involvement and grassroots determination.

Jan takes us inside the real logistics of overseas healthcare projects, the partnerships that make them possible, and why community-driven initiatives continue to be one of the most powerful forces in global health.

What we cover:

• How CACHA is expanding healthcare access across East Africa
• The role Rotary plays in connecting local volunteers to global impact
• The planning, challenges, and rewards of international medical missions
• How Jan's pharmacy roots in Dartmouth fuel her passion for service

If you believe communities have the power to heal the world — this one's for you.

• LinkedIn
• CACHA
• Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA)

Interested in being a guest or know someone we should talk to, reach out to Eric and Jim at Info@movewiththeteam.ca