Explain Dartmouth Housing Project Delay
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : While the Premier has spent a great deal of time recently blaming municipalities for slowing down housing development, his own government is refusing to put housing on a plot of land that has been earmarked for housing for years. Build Nova Scotia, formerly Develop Nova Scotia, has had a plan complete with zoning at Dartmouth Cove since 2012 on provincial land that is serviced, has complete plans, community buy-in and could yield as much as 1,000 housing units. When is the Premier going to stop blaming others for the housing crisis and get his own house in order?
THE PREMIER « » : As a government we're moving very quickly on a number of files, there's no question about that. Particularly on the housing file, where we are working with a number of organizations, working with the federal government, trying to work with municipalities, changing legislation where it's deemed necessary to go faster.
In this particular example, I believe the member is referring to a specific example that was put out for tender. Somebody was awarded that tender and then on their side are having a few delays getting going. We are certainly not happy about those delays but we understand they happen and we're working with that organization to try to move forward.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : If the Premier was following the housing file, he would know that that is not the site I'm talking about. I'm talking about the Dartmouth Cove site adjacent to the ferry, connected to Alderney Drive, where private development is rising all around. But the Minister of Public Works said the other day that it's on the back burner because she didn't think that we were going to build by the coast.
That's interesting because yesterday, the Premier said that the Coastal Protection Act might not come into force at all, so we're content for people to build by the coast, except for at Dartmouth Cove, on provincial land. Can the Premier see how ridiculous it is to hold a plot like this, to not build on it - there are no bidders - when housing is so badly needed?
THE PREMIER « » : I ask the member to table the comments of the minister, because I'm certainly not familiar with those comments and I have a hard time believing that they're accurate or accurately quoted. What I would say is I would assure the member that as a government we are moving as quickly as we can on a number of housing initiatives, as evidenced by the over $300 million we've invested in housing this year.
We will continue to make investments. We will continue to work with developers, not-for-profits, municipalities. We will work with anyone who wants to help us get more housing for Nova Scotians, including the member opposite if she chooses to try to work with us.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : I'll happily table the article. It's from allNovaScotia. I'll print it out, I'll table it. I didn't quote from an article - I paraphrased. I am not required to table it, but I will, Mr. Premier.
The Premier seems - I am addressing the Premier because he is addressing me.
THE SPEAKER « » : Order. Order. There's a lot of chatter. Let's let her - everyone just tame down here and we will go back to the question with the Leader of the New Democratic Party, through me, please.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : The Dartmouth Cove land which the Province owns and refuses to build on because it's close to the coast is sitting there, ready for 1,000 units, serviced.
Sandy Lake, which is a special planning area, has recently been accelerated. This is an unserviced site with environmental features such as old growth forest, species at risk, wetlands, streams, and the government is pushing to develop this site, despite a coalition of dozens of community groups trying to protect it. Make it make sense, Speaker. Government-held site, Dartmouth Cove, ready to build, community buy-in . . .
THE SPEAKER « » : Question.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : . . . but an environmentally sensitive area with private interests rammed through. When will the Premier . . .
THE SPEAKER « » : Question.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : . . . start building housing where communities know it is wanted and needed?
THE PREMIER « » : Just as quickly as we can, Speaker, for sure. I don't think there can be any question that this government is moving fast on housing. In fact, I think the member, in her preamble, quoted a few situations where we're moving so fast, it's too fast for her liking. We will continue to move fast and I'd ask again for the member to table the comments, which I'll be curious to see the interpretation of context that was displayed on the floor here.