More time needed for consultation of proposed Dartmouth Cove infill project
The fight over a proposed infill project on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour has been quiet, but there are signs opponents are stepping up their concerns.
"This trail is used 365 days of the year, seven days a week, non-stop," said Jill Brogan with Friends of Dartmouth Cove.
Last month, Transport Canada gave its approval for Atlantic Road Construction and Paving to dump approximately 100,000 cubic metres of pyritic slate into the cove.
"We're asking the community, anybody who cares about the waterfront, all of the government agencies to think and to stop it. To write letters. Urge council to treat Dartmouth cove in the same way that they treated the Northwest Arm," said Brogan.
A spokesperson for Canada's Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez said there is an opportunity for Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to address what gaps exist in regulating infills with municipal and provincial authorities to do so.
"Transport Canada will cooperate with the municipality on any potential regulations they put forward," said the spokesperson in an email.
A spokesperson for HRM did not have any "new information" to share on the project or any talks with Transport Canada.
The project still needs to be approved by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which says more time is required to continue consultation.
"They have to judge it on merits, science, evidence. We have been encouraging citizens from the start to send in thoughtful, evidence-based responses to why this project should not go forward," said Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP Darren Fisher from Ottawa.
Fisher says he has been fighting against this project for two years.
"We know that there's a very good, strong fish habitat there, and this is not something that is good for that burgeoning, remerging fish habitat," he said.
The private company says as part of the project, it will donate a section of the land to develop a designated fish habitat.
"Working hand in hand with marine biologists, we've designed a rockweed beach along the waterfront to act as a food source and habitat for fish and various marine species. Furthermore, artificial reefs will be placed along the seabed to ensure the area becomes thick with marine vegetation," said Bruce Wood, Atlantic Road Construction and Paving's chief financial officer, in an email to CTV News.
"We are committed to enhancing the ecosystem in Dartmouth Cove and are eager to witness its restoration in the years to come," said Wood.
Brogan says that doesn't go far enough.
"It's not acceptable to come in here and fill this cove up, when we've spent so much money to clean it up, and make it a wonderful spot for people," said Brogan.
If the project were to go ahead as currently planned, work would begin in September. Atlantic Road Construction and Paving says it plans to keep the waterfront portion of the trail open during construction, though there may be times when it isn't accessible for safety reasons.
Brogan says Friends of Dartmouth Cove are planning a meeting next week to discuss the latest status of the infill project.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6950941.1720092571!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hurricane Beryl roars toward Mexico after leaving destruction in Jamaica and eastern Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl ripped off roofs in Jamaica, jumbled fishing boats in Barbados and damaged or destroyed 95 per cent of homes on a pair of islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before rumbling toward the Cayman Islands and taking aim at Mexico's Caribbean coast after leaving at least seven dead in its wake.
Son asks court to sell B.C. home he co-owns with his mother, despite her objections
A B.C. judge has ordered the sale of a Surrey home despite the objections of the woman who lives there, who owns it jointly with her son.
Ottawa landlord left with hefty bill after tenant trashes rental property
A landlord in Ottawa is facing thousands of dollars in repairs after his tenant left his only rental property damaged and disorderly.
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
We are in for a stronger, longer and earlier hurricane season. Here's why
With warmer-than-usual temperatures on the horizon this summer, a stronger and longer Atlantic storm season is ahead. A hurricane expert explains why that is and what to expect in the months ahead.
Will Justin Trudeau step down, or stay on? Survey shows what Canadians think
A majority of Canadians think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will stay on to lead his party in the next election even as his approval ratings are still extremely low, a new poll suggests.
No Frills grocery stores drop 'multi-buy' offer
As receipts tick ever higher for Canadians at the grocery store and shoppers continue to search for savings, one Canadian grocer has ended a perceived deal.
Cape Breton police investigating gold-for-gas scam that targets unsuspecting drivers
Police in Cape Breton are investigating reports of a scam involving a seemingly stranded motorist flagging down drivers and offering gold jewelry in exchange for money to pay for gas or repairs.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.