The government of Nova Scotia rejects the Halifax regional plan

The government of Nova Scotia rejected the regional plan adopted in June by. Nevertheless, the Halifax municipal council. Moreover, The municipality claims to have tried to resolve all the questions in the province. Meanwhile, and deplores that none of the changes it has proposed has been accepted.

According to the province. Nevertheless, the wishes of the municipality to protect watercourses and wetlands would be an obstacle to the construction of housing.

The Council taken from short

In a statement on Monday. Furthermore, the municipality recalled that it has held consultations with the public since 2020 to completely review the regional strategy that dates from 2014.

In recent months. municipal planning and development staff have actively worked with provincial staff to respond to the comments that had been previously received from the government nova scotia rejects halifax provincewrites the city.

The province’s decision not to approve one of the proposed changes was not expected. given the continuous collaboration with provincial counterparts before and after submission for approvalwe say.

The new regional plan largely placed on an increase in density in the urban sectors already connected to the water. sewers and public transport services.

The plan also included updating exclusion zones around rivers and wetlands.

Halifax plans to increase the minimum distance between these areas and new constructions by 20 meters to 30 meters.

Minister’s criticisms

In his letter to the mayor of Halifax. Andy Fillmoredated August 8, the provincial minister of housing, John Lohrquotes three points which would supposedly harm the domiciliary construction:

• the increase of 20 to 30 meters of the minimum distance between new constructions and protected areas
• the government nova scotia rejects halifax requirement that parking spaces are ready to accommodate electric vehicles
• zoning changes to allow more accommodation as of right.

The provincial housing minister, John Lohrrefused to grant an interview.

Open in full screen

The mayor of Halifax, Andy Fillmorehe also refused an interview request on Monday. His office sent a written statement.

Mayor Fillmore claims that the real estate industry has expressed serious concerns . supported that the new regional plan would add significant costs and an administrative burden real estate development.

In context, it is not entirely surprising that the plan was rejectedhe writes.

The deputy mayor Tony Mancini Do not think that the requirements of the municipal council are outrageous.

If the promoters are not able to organize themselves to build a project that is not 30 meters from a lake. a wetland, then we do not want these developmentshe said on Monday. The lakes are precious. Why would we want to threaten them?

Open in full screen

The regional municipality of Halifax. the largest city in Atlantic Canada and the region of the provincial capital, had a master plan to prepare for significant population growth, leading to potentially 1 million inhabitants by 2050.

In 2024, Halifax had 530,000 residents, almost 25 % more than in 2014.

The aim of the regional plan aims to government nova scotia rejects halifax replace several municipal regulations.

The municipal council will discuss the rejection of the plan on August 19.

According to the reports of Emilie Descôteaux andHaley Ryan (CBC)