URGENT RESPONSE DEADLINE FEBRUARY 25 2025

The Nova Scotia & Halifax Regional Municipal governments are rushing in major HRM Zoning By-Law Changes. The Liveable Halifax Coalition supports respectful and responsible development in our backyards. Affordable housing and densification – absolutely! But not at the expense of everything that makes Halifax liveable, vibrant and safe. Act Now. Tell governments citizens want planning that is longer-term, thoughtful & democratic.  Sign the petition.  Write to Mayor and Council at clerks@halifax.ca (copy and paste into your email) You can find sample letters here

Overview for Context

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the Nova Scotia government are pushing through zoning bylaw changes to allow for “an anything-goes approach” to building throughout the city. 

Why should this matter to you?

Look up your address here. Shocked to see what changes will be allowed by rights on your street? Multi-story condos, townhouse developments, the razing of historic buildings, the removal of trees and green space: it’s all a ‘go’ under the new zoning bylaws. No community is safe. 

Higher rents: The zoning changes won’t help the housing crisis. Developers are not required to provide affordable housing. The average rent for a two-bedroom unit in HRM is $1700 per month.

More traffic: Congestion in Halifax is already out of control. HRM wants to add 15,476 new housing units by 2026. How much worse will that make traffic?  

Less parking: Under the new plan, developers no longer need to provide adequate parking spaces for their buildings. Where are all the cars going to go? On our already congested streets. 

Overburdened infrastructure: Water, wastewater, overcrowded schools and hospitals, insufficient public transit — Haligonians already have enough problems with our outdated infrastructure. These issues must be addressed before zoning changes are pushed through. 

Fewer trees: The proposed zoning changes remove protection to our urban forest and green spaces. A tree standing in the way of development will be cut down. 

Demolished heritage: So much for ‘Historic Halifax.’ Very few of our Victorian and Georgian streetscapes are safe from demolition. 

More vacant lots: HRM already has 12,000 vacant lots but still more buildings are coming down. New zoning bylaws don’t prioritize construction on existing empty properties.

Less security: Density is being radically increased without improved evacuation routes. It’s already difficult to get off the peninsula at rush hour. What will happen in the case of an emergency? 

Concerned about these zoning changes? Here’s what you can do. 

HRM is required to hold a public consultation period until February 24^th. To have make sure your concerns are heard, please:

Join The Liveable Halifax Coalition. We WANT thoughtful development in our backyards. Affordable housing and densification – absolutely! But not at the expense of everything that makes Halifax liveable, vibrant and safe. We’re asking all levels of government to slow down the consultation process so we can grow smartly for the benefit of all Haligonians.

Send a letter to your:

Council: clerks@halifax.ca

Planning Office: regionalplan@halifax.ca

 Member of Legislative Assembly: https://nslegislature.ca/members/profiles

Sign the Petition