Demand for housing assistance and legal aid services has increased since Nova Scotia lifted its ban on renovictions, support workers say. The province had temporarily banned renovictions, the practice of evicting a tenant in order to renovate a rental unit, under the state of emergency that lasted almost two years through the COVID-19 pandemic. […]
Volunteer group asks HRM to use bylaw to allow unhoused people to continue camping in public parks
Bylaw says camping is only allowed in public parks "by permission"
A volunteer group in HRM is asking the city to invoke part of an existing bylaw that would allow unhoused people to continue camping in public parks. In a media release Friday morning, P.A.D.S. Community Network said they’d met with Mayor Mike Savage and several HRM councillors to discuss Bylaw P-600, which prohibits camping in […]
Protestors rally outside legislature demanding minimum wage increase, more affordable housing, tenant protections
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the Nova Scotia legislature Thursday to demand the provincial government do more to address poverty and housing gaps. Protestors at the rally, which was scheduled for the first day of the Nova Scotia legislature’s spring sitting, called on the province to increase its minimum wage, address the lack of affordable […]
Volunteer network says it won’t help dismantle People’s Park after CAO Dubé asks for group’s help to “peacefully” close park
An encampment at a Halifax park, where unhoused people have lived in makeshift shelters since August, could soon be dismantled. People have been living in tents in Meagher Park, on the corner of Chebucto Road and Dublin Street, all fall and winter. Known to volunteers, residents, and community members as “People’s Park,” the site became […]
Aquaculture Review Board could set problematic precedent with decision on Rattling Beach fish farm, advocates say
The province’s Aquaculture Review Board (ARB) failed to hear community concerns and hold industry to account in its first decision involving a salmon farm, environmental advocates say. On January 28, more than two months after a hearing before the ARB, the new decision-making body approved an application from Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. (KCS) to expand […]
HRM lost more beds for the unhoused than it’s gained, but advocates say more beds doesn’t always make for a better situation
Despite the opening of new modular units in Dartmouth two weeks ago, HRM has lost more beds for the unhoused in the past five months than it’s gained. But without more transitional housing, emergency beds won’t make a difference in a stagnant system, advocates say. In a recent Instagram post, P.A.D.S. Community Network calculated the shortage: […]
Staff and advocates rally to save emergency shelter set to close this month
Despite the promise of long-awaited modular units coming in the new year, one Halifax shelter’s impending closure could leave Halifax’s homeless population with few options this winter, advocates say. This week, the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) announced it would be closing the emergency shelter it’s been operating at 2029 North Park Street in Halifax. […]
Endangered wild salmon at risk from sea lice outbreak at two fish farms in Annapolis Basin
Outbreak at Kelly Cove Salmon's two farms first after a "long, long time" of the company saying the parasites aren't an issue here, EAC says.
Elevated sea lice levels at two fish farms in the Annapolis Basin could impact the endangered wild Atlantic salmon population in Nova Scotia, ecologists say. In a recent hearing before the Aquaculture Review Board, Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. (a division of Cooke Aquaculture) acknowledged it’s been dealing with elevated levels of sea lice in two […]
“Call back the house until everybody’s got one:” Protestors demand province call emergency session of legislature to deal with housing crisis
This article was written by Ethan Lycan-Lang and Leslie Amminson. “Call back the house until everybody’s got one.” That was the chant repeated by a crowd of demonstrators gathered outside Province House in Halifax Sunday afternoon. Wrapped in scarves, toques, and winter coats, dozens of people blocked off part of George Street, demanding the provincial […]
As winter approaches, residents of People’s Park, volunteers, and neighbours wait for a better housing solution
One volunteer says people "do not want to allow ourselves or the community to get enticed or get distracted" by the city's purchase of new modular units that will only meet the needs of a small percentage of the homeless population.
At any given moment, a car might pull up to a small park at the corner of Chebucto Road and Dublin Street in Halifax. The driver will get out and talk to a man standing on the sidewalk. The pair will exchange “hellos” and “how are yous.” Then the driver will pass along food, cash, […]