Property owner submits proposal to infill part of Northwest Arm in Halifax
Nova Scotia has more than 13,000 kilometres of coastline. That's great for recreation but it has also made the province a target for climate change.
“In Nova Scotia we have the highest sea level rise predictions in the country,” says Nancy Anningston, the senior coastal adaptation coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre.
That’s why a proposal by a property owner to infill part of the Northwest Arm is not going over well with the environmental organization.
The plan is to extend the property into the waterway by 45 metres.
“This is not the time to be in filling out into the ocean, this is the time to be pulling back from the ocean,” says Anningston.
Neither the city nor the province has any jurisdiction over the proposed development. Federally, Transport Canada's only criteria for evaluating such a project is its effect on the navigability of the waterway, which, on its own is not significant.
Anningston says the only hope of halting the proposal lies with the Department of Fisheries.
“Hopefully, Fisheries and Oceans will come out and see there are lobster here getting caught and grown and all kinds of other important species.”
The province is close to being able to pass judgement on developments like this. Two years ago they brought in the Coastal Protection Act. Its intention is to be able to protect the coastline from potentially harmful developments. But Nova Scotia NDP Leader Gary Burrill says the law is ineffective
“Since the law was passed it has not been brought into force. Its regulations have been delayed and delayed and delayed,” said Burrill.
As a result, Burrill is calling for a halt on approvals for infilling along the arm until proper assessments can be performed.
Anningston says if all the lots along the Northwest Arm were infilled, the water area would decrease by a third.
A public notice from Transport Canada identifies the landowner as Andrew Metlege. CTV News was unable to reach him for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Buckingham Palace: Queen spent night in hospital after scrapping trip
Buckingham Palace said Thursday that Queen Elizabeth II spent a night in a hospital for checks after being advised by her doctor this week to rest.
BREAKING | Dental records show remains found at Carlton Reserve are those of Brian Laundrie, FBI says
The FBI's Denver office said Thursday that remains found a day earlier in a Florida nature reserve are those of Brian Laundrie, who disappeared last month just days after his fiance Gabby Petito was reported missing.
As some pandemic benefits expire, feds to spend $7.4B on new programs
The federal government has announced a suite of changes to the popular income and business support programs put in place during the pandemic and set to expire on Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland reminded Canadians on Thursday that the measures were always intended to be 'temporary.'
Feds say provinces will issue 'standardized' proof of vaccination for travel
Instead of issuing a singular federal national COVID-19 vaccine passport, the federal government says that each province and territory will be responsible for issuing a 'standardized pan-Canadian' vaccine passport that Canadians can use when travelling. Each province's system is supposed to have a 'common' look and feel, with the expectation that by next month all Canadians will have access.
Sask. government says social media posts about ICU patient transfers should be 'disregarded'
The Saskatchewan government released a statement Thursday morning saying social media posts about ICU patient transfers should be “disregarded” following immense confusion among doctors and officials over planned ICU patient transfers to Ontario.
U.S. House votes to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt
The U.S. House voted Thursday to hold Steve Bannon, a longtime ally and aide to former U.S. president Donald Trump, in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the committee investigating the violent Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
No, U.S. Election Day wasn't the real insurrection
As he prepares to launch a new media company that will give him his own social media platform, former U.S. President Donald Trump has ramped up his efforts to rewrite history, spreading more lies about the 2020 election in November and the deadly storming of the Capitol in January.
BREAKING | Jamaica arrests Colombian as suspect in Haiti assassination
A police superintendent in Jamaica told The Associated Press on Thursday that authorities have arrested a Colombian man they believe is a suspect in the July 7 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.
Travelling abroad: Experts say you need insurance before you go
As tourism resumes across much of the world, experts say purchasing travel insurance is necessary if Canadians want to stay safe and enjoy a trip abroad.
Toronto
-
Prayers and pain at funeral for 17-year-old girl killed crossing intersection near Scarborough school
Her death is being described as an excruciating loss. The emotion during the service, held at the Islamic Research Centre of Canada, was overwhelming and raw.
-
The Toronto Zoo is planning to vaccinate its animals against COVID-19
The Toronto Zoo is planning to vaccinate at least 140 of its animals against COVID-19 soon.
-
Nearly 90 stolen vehicles recovered by police in York Region
Nearly 90 stolen cars were recovered and nine people from Ontario and Quebec have been charged in connection with a massive vehicle theft investigation in the Greater Toronto Area.
Calgary
-
Calgary Coun. Sean Chu says he will not resign in wake of sexual misconduct allegations
Embattled Calgary Coun. Sean Chu said during a press conference on Thursday that he will not resign.
-
Alberta reports 770 COVID-19 cases, gradual return of surgeries and procedures begins
Alberta reported 770 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday as pressure on the health care system starts to ease.
-
Calgary energy company charged in central Alberta spill
A provincial agency that oversees natural resource operations throughout Alberta has charged a Calgary company in connection with an incident that occurred two years ago.
Edmonton
-
Alberta reports 770 COVID-19 cases, gradual return of surgeries and procedures begins
Alberta reported 770 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday as pressure on the health care system starts to ease.
-
Oilers' Koskinen to start in net Thursday, team will 'read and react' for Friday's starter: Tippett
The Edmonton Oilers' number two goalie Mikko Koskinen will start Thursday's game in Arizona with goalie Mike Smith on the injured reserve.
-
Alberta inquiry finds no wrongdoing in anti-oilsands campaign despite foreign funds
Alberta's public inquiry into the role of foreign funding of campaigns opposing oilsands development has found environmental groups have done nothing wrong.
Montreal
-
'I cannot believe that it happens here in Quebec,' Legault says, condemning woman's stabbing death
Quebec Premier Francois Legault says that, as the leader of the province, he's horrified by the news of 24-year-old Romane Bonnier's death in downtown Montreal on Tuesday.
-
Montreal man sentenced to probation for criminal harassment of Eugenie Bouchard's sister
A 43-year-old Montreal man was sentenced to two years probation Thursday after he was found guilty last June of criminal harassment against Instagram sensation Charlotte Bouchard, the sister of tennis star Eugenie Bouchard.
-
A spot for every child: for the first time, Quebec daycare will be a guarantee under new overhaul
For the first time, Quebec is committing to creating a daycare spot for every child in the province. In the midst of ongoing strikes and a growing wait list, it said Thursday it is investing at least $3 billion in a major overhaul.
London
-
Serious crash sends two people to hospital
A serious two-vehicle collision closed Highbury Avenue near Manning Drive on Thursday afternoon.
-
London constable facing slew of Police Act charges resigns
After a nearly two days of delays, Const. Stephen Williams tendered his resignation to the London Police Service effective Nov. 22.
-
Cross-border families ask for compassion with costly COVID-19 testing
Sarnia, Ont.’s mayor is calling on the federal government to remove costly COVID-19 testing as a requirement for Canadians returning to Canada from the United States.
Northern Ontario
-
Diesel spill closes Hwy. 11 in Powassan, area being evacuated
Highway 11 is closed because of a diesel spill, the Ontario Provincial Police said Thursday.
-
Sudbury police investigating sudden death downtown, 2nd in tent city this month
Sudbury police say no foul play is suspected after a man was found dead inside a tent in a park downtown.
-
Bold moose crashes northern Ontario shed hangout
Recently, a northern Ontario man and his friends were hanging out in his shed on a Saturday night when a large moose came to join the party.
Winnipeg
-
Ste. Anne doctor charged with 16 additional counts of sexual assault
A doctor from Ste. Anne Manitoba is now facing 22 counts of sexual assault after police laid additional charges.
-
Manitoba churches lose court challenge against COVID-19 restrictions
A judge who ruled against seven Manitoba churches that were fighting public health orders says the restrictions were reasonable and necessary to stem the spread of COVID-19.
-
First Nations Pandemic Response Team clarifies data on breakthrough cases that was ‘taken out of context’
The Manitoba First Nations Pandemic Response Team is addressing misinformation that has arisen from data released at a provincial update on Monday.
Saskatoon
-
'Full-blown crisis': Sask. doctors' association calls for gathering limits to fight COVID-19
Indoor gathering limits for private and public events must be implemented immediately as a public health order, according to the Saskatchewan Medical Association.
-
355 new COVID-19 cases in Sask., as province reports 800 total related deaths
Two more Saskatchewan residents have died of COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths related to the virus to 800.
-
5 sobering details from Saskatchewan's COVID-19 data and modelling
On Wednesday, the Saskatchewan government released its COVID-19 data and modelling which projects what the coming weeks and months could look like in a province that currently has the highest coronavirus-related death rate in Canada.
Regina
-
Sask. government says social media posts about ICU patient transfers should be 'disregarded'
The Saskatchewan government released a statement Thursday morning saying social media posts about ICU patient transfers should be “disregarded” following immense confusion among doctors and officials over planned ICU patient transfers to Ontario.
-
Sask. confirms 3 more ICU patients will be sent to Ont.
The Saskatchewan government has confirmed that three additional ICU patients will be transferred to Ontario over the next three days, bringing the number of patients sent out of province to nine.
-
355 new COVID-19 cases in Sask., as province reports 800 total related deaths
Two more Saskatchewan residents have died of COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths related to the virus to 800.
Vancouver
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | B.C. judge grants permanent injunction against restaurant ignoring vaccine passport order
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has granted the province’s request for a permanent injunction against Rolly’s Restaurant in Hope, which remained open after having its business and liquor licences suspended for not checking vaccine passports.
-
B.C.'s vaccine card not compatible with new federal system, but premier promises grace period
The provincial vaccine card downloaded by approximately 3.7 million B.C. residents isn't compatible with the federal proof-of-vaccination system Canadians will soon use when travelling.
-
'They can get up to 100 lbs.': Massive salmon caught in B.C. all part of conservation program
It appears one B.C. hatchery program is off to a promising start, by the size of the Chinook salmon they’ve been pulling in from the Wannock River near Bella Bella.
Vancouver Island
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING | COVID-19 on Vancouver Island: B.C. to provide case update
B.C. health officials are expected to provide an update on new cases, vaccinations and other relevant information on Thursday afternoon.
-
NEW
NEW | Campbell River, B.C. whale-watching guide fined $10K for orca encounter
A whale-watching guide on Vancouver Island has been fined thousands of dollars for getting too close to a pod of orcas.
-
Vancouver Island windstorm: Widespread power outages reported as winds expected to reach 120km/h
Thousands of BC Hydro customers on Vancouver Island and the B.C. Gulf Islands are without power Thursday as a windstorm wreaks havoc across the region.