Advocates concerned Nova Scotia could reject Halifax bylaw protecting Dartmouth Cove

Advocates and community members want the cove to be protected, and for the province to listen to residents. 

Protesters gathered outside Province House on Wednesday said they are concerned Halifax’s proposed bylaw protecting Dartmouth Cove from infilling will be rejected by the provincial government.

Advocates and community members want the cove to be protected and for the province to listen to residents.

“This has been a pretty political process in that it’s a grassroots, transparent community organization fighting for what they believe in,” Jill Brogan with Friends of Dartmouth Cove said.

Halifax regional council passed a motion on Oct. 7 that would only allow infilling in the case of public infrastructure or shoreline protection. There were concerns that development and infilling in the area would affect the fish habitat and the ecosystem.

The province’s municipal affairs staff had 45 days to review the proposed bylaw amendments and make a decision.

Wednesday’s protest was organized in light of Premier Tim Houston’s comments following a cabinet meeting on Oct. 30 when he called the proposed bylaw amendments “ambiguous” and “pretty political.”

Brogan and the councillor for the area, Sam Austin, take issue with Houston’s assessment.

“These bylaws are almost identical or identical to the ones that were brought in a year ago by the same government for the Northwest Arm. So there’s no difference except they’re wealthy, we aren’t so much, and we don’t have a lobbyist in our corner,” Brogan said.