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

Speaker's Nazi veteran invite 'profoundly embarrassing' Trudeau says, as Rota faces calls to resign
Tensions flared in the Commons on Monday over opposition calls for House Speaker Anthony Rota to resign after apologizing to Parliament for inviting, recognizing and leading the chamber in a standing ovation for a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
'Deeply hurtful': Polish ambassador condemns Nazi veteran’s invitation to Canada’s Parliament
Polish ambassador to Canada says House Speaker Anthony Rota's apology doesn’t go far enough after a Nazi veteran was honoured in the House of Commons last Friday.
7 candidates have qualified for the 2nd Republican presidential debate. Here's who missed the cut
The field for the second Republican presidential debate will be smaller than the first.
Vaccination during pregnancy safe, effective and recommended, CMAJ says
The most up-to-date guidelines from the Canadian Medical Association Journal recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who is pregnant in order to reduce the risk of serious illness to themselves and the children they carry.
Canadian Sikhs stage protests against Indian government over murder
Canadian Sikhs staged small protests outside India's diplomatic missions on Monday, a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there may be a link between New Delhi and the murder of a Sikh separatist advocate in British Columbia.
An airsoft pistol, a machete, and 2 knives: Jury learns of items seized in pickup truck used during attack on a London, Ont. family
The trial of Nathaniel Veltman, 22, continued in Windsor for his actions on June 6, 2021 that killed four people and seriously injured a fifth person. In court on Monday, two forensic identification officers with the London Police Service testified.
Canada approves Ebola virus vaccine for adults exposed to the deadly disease
Canada has approved a vaccine to prevent Ebola in non-pregnant and otherwise healthy adults aged 18 and older.