The sun shines brightly on a crisp morning in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Patty Cuttell's smile, as she strides towards an apartment building on Herring Cove Road, mirrors the good vibe. Into her second term as District Councillor for Spryfield-Sambro Loop, the community leader enjoys seeing the fruits of her accomplishments firsthand. Supporting the Nova Scotia Ecology Action Centre, Cuttell recently partnered with the non-profit organization to deliver new bike racks and picnic tables, with VIDA residents benefiting. The resources are more than simple amenities, they exemplify the value of collaborative partnerships that can serve communities, like Spryfield, across Canada.
Under Patty’s leadership, Spryfield has experienced a remarkable transformation in recent years. Hundreds of new homes have sprung up, attracting young families and newcomers drawn to the area's evolving infrastructure, potential and affordable living options. But with the rapid growth comes challenges, and Cuttell remains laser-focused on striking a balance between progress and sustainability.
"Spryfield is changing so fast," she says.
"It's exciting to see, but we must ensure our infrastructure keeps pace. Affordability and accessibility will always be at the heart of my priorities. I like what the Ecology Action Centre and VIDA are both doing in those spaces."
Since 2018, VIDA has grown from two properties to 170 located across four provinces, positioning itself as a leader in addressing Canada's growing affordability concerns. The private company invests in older stock apartments, adding a supportive twist for those who call their buildings home.
VIDA's Chief Operating Officer, Jessi Rudisuela, explains: "We're working hard at the ground level every day, creating safe places where communities can thrive despite tough times. Building community isn't just about clean, safe environments; it's also about fostering work opportunities, skills training, and partnerships to benefit our customers and help them combat affordability challenges. We've seen what makes real estate special—it's the people, so we understand the value in having a purposeful business approach that helps Canadians thrive."
As people continue to see and understand VIDA’s path to affordability, the B Corp certified company has received growing support from those interested in building partnerships to make positive differences across communities.
Crafted by LakeCity Works, the bike racks and picnic tables around VIDA’s Spryfield community were spawned from ideas that percolated from the annual summer Bike Hub Summit put on by the Ecology Action Centre. Councillor Cuttell saw the opportunity to lean into establishing a relationship with the non-profit, through funding. While the EAC leaned into their tireless advocacy – focused on creating better transportation opportunities for people, and environmental conscious planning across the province. Cuttell and the EAC’s contributions have provided VIDA’s residents with convenient and safer places to store their bikes, leading to better mobility options and healthy results.
"Owning a car can cost Canadians an average of $18,000 annually, a staggering figure that puts a huge strain on households, especially those living on single or low wage incomes," says the centre's Anika Riopel.
"It's not just about health and climate change; it's also about affordability. We shouldn't force people to own a car to get by. For those working late shifts or in areas inaccessible by transit, car dependency can mean spending 20-30% of their income just on transportation, That's not sustainable."
In a world where mobility should come at a lower cost, the partnerships and work done in Spryfield are about creating a lifestyle shift. By making biking, walking, and public transit attractive and accessible, all parties involved hope to build a community where people have real choices and can get around with dignity and ease.
When VIDA welcomed the opportunity to host a bike hub repair clinic during one of the EAC’s summer summits, little did the company know it would result in more than oiling chains, fixing flat tires, and making basic repairs for those in and around the apartment buildings.
Like Patty, VIDA's relationship with the Ecology Action Centre has blossomed into something beautiful, with other entities coming in and contributing to the company’s goal of creating communities. Next on VIDA’s agenda is new fencing around some of the properties, courtesy of local mechanical maintenance specialists, and long-time VIDA partner, IronDog.
With future hopes to enhance sidewalks, pathways, and transit routes, Spryfield has the potential to be a model of how any community in Canada can implement a more sustainable and accessible future.
"It's about the little things as much as the big ones," Councillor Cuttell notes. "We realized we were missing essentials like bike racks and other amenities at the VIDA buildings, and now those gaps are being filled. It's the small changes that make the biggest difference. Spryfield is more than a district; it's a community and a home. Together, we're building something special, one small step at a time."
Thank you Patty, the Ecology Action Centre, and all who are creating communities for a better future across Canada.