Today, the Province of Nova Scotia announced plans to take full control of planning and development in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). By announcing unprecedented changes to the Halifax Charter and the Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality Act – the same legislation that created the Executive Panel on Housing – the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, John Lohr, now has absolute power and discretion over all planning and development in Halifax.  

Improving the housing crises will take creative solutions and collaboration between all levels of government. The Ecology Action Centre acknowledges there is a legitimate need for new and more affordable housing in Halifax Regional Municipality and we do not oppose well planned and sustainable development projects. However, we’re consistently frustrated and alarmed by the Province of Nova Scotia’s announcements to change established and democratic planning processes.