Dartmouth Cove is not a dumping ground. Today, Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said no to infill for the sake of infill in Dartmouth Cove. For nearly four years, our community has spoken loudly against a proposal to infill nearly 7 acres of water in Dartmouth Cove with pyritic slate. In my ten years [...]
The cold didn’t stop the incredible scuba divers taking part in today’s BioBlitz at Dartmouth Cove! Even with the cold, folks were out documenting the wildlife in and around the water, showing just how much this community cares about Dartmouth Cove. Thank you to the Friends of Dartmouth Cove for sharing some of the [...]
SAVE DARTMOUTH COVE I know from your emails and calls that many of you are deeply concerned that the Government of Nova Scotia may overturn HRM’s new bylaw protecting Dartmouth Cove from unnecessary infill. As we’ve known for some time, an HRM bylaw is the best way to prevent unnecessary infill in Dartmouth Cove. [...]
What's happening with the municipality and the province First of all, I want to commend the majority of HRM Regional Council (especially Councillor Austin) for listening to the people and stakeholders of Dartmouth—and those across our municipality—who called on the government to protect Dartmouth Cove from unnecessary infill. Following the public hearing, HRM Council [...]
Click here for the copy of the letter I sent to Minister Thompson on October 14th, 2025. October 14th, 2025 The Honourable Joanne Thompson Minister of Fisheries Ottawa, ON Re: Request to Refuse Fisheries Act Authorization for Infill Project in Dartmouth Cove (Project 2022-206446) Minister Thompson, I am writing to urge you, under the [...]
Email sent October 9th, 2025 - CLICK FOR COPY OF ORIGINAL EMAIL The Honourable Steven MacKinnon Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Ottawa, ON Re: Request to Rescind Infill Approval 2022-206446 under Section 9(4)(e) of the Canadian Navigable Waters Act Minister MacKinnon, I am writing regarding Transport [...]
Transport Canada wrote another letter directly to the Mayor and HRM Council explaining that the municipality has full authority to pass bylaws restricting infilling in Halifax Harbour, provided they don’t intrude on federal jurisdiction. The letter also reiterates willingness to review bylaws collaboratively. Read the full version of the letter here. [...]
To help clarify matters of jurisdiction and provide additional reassurance, Transport Canada reached out to Mayor Andy Fillmore and members of Halifax Regional Council on September 9 and September 22, 2025. As confirmed by the Northwest Arm by-law and by constitutional legal experts, HRM is well within its authority to address regulatory gaps related [...]
September 8th, 2025 The public has spoken clearly: Dartmouth Cove must be protected from unnecessary infill. I’ve heard from constituents and stakeholders across Dartmouth—Cole Harbour and beyond, and HRM Council and staff have heard the same. Just as the Northwest Arm was protected, Dartmouth Cove deserves the same protection, without further delay. The precedent [...]
September 9th, 2025 In response to concerns raised in HRM’s staff report on Dartmouth Cove, Transport Canada wrote directly to Mayor Fillmore and all members of Council. Their letter reiterates previous conversations about federal jurisdiction and emphasizes that HRM has the authority to adopt bylaws to further restrict infilling in Halifax Harbour. View the [...]
