Municipal leaders at the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities conference in Halifax voiced frustration Wednesday after Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald ended a session without taking questions. Wolfville councillor Wendy Elliott wanted answers on library and arts funding after provincial cuts that towns say threaten closures and shorter hours. Middleton Mayor Gail Smith said infrastructure requests also go unanswered and felt leaders were ignored. MacDonald urged municipalities to grow revenue through resource development, partnerships and streamlining, and highlighted cell coverage upgrades. Federation president David Mitchell apologized for skipping questions and said other chances would come later during the week.
Halifax's annual point-in-time count found 1,078 people experiencing homelessness in October, down 72 from last year. The count was organized by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia and the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre. Executive director Michael Kabalen said emergency supports have stabilized, but the total will stay high until governments invest in housing at scale. Of the 164 people sleeping rough, far fewer were in encampments, only two of which remain designated. More people were sleeping alone in streets, parks or vehicles. The report says the vehicle count is likely a significant undercount, especially in rural areas without shelters.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will require a federal review of St Barbara's 15-Mile Processing Hub, a gold-mining project spanning three open-pit sites on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore. The Australian company called the decision duplicative and disappointing, saying it undermines the one project, one review approach championed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and supported by the province. Local councillor Scott Beaver welcomed the move, arguing Ottawa will assess risks to the St. Mary's River salmon habitat more thoroughly. The agency received more than 500 public submissions and flagged possible effects on fish, migratory birds and Indigenous rights before deciding.
