More than 50 new public housing units in N.S. to be occupied by fall
The Nova Scotia government says 51 two- and three-bedroom modular homes for about 170 low-income seniors, individuals and families will be move-in ready by the fall.
On Thursday, Development and Growth Minister Colton LeBlanc toured an eight-plex building that will soon welcome 24 residents in Digby, N.S.
"It's going to be a special moment for folks who are on the waitlist that need to find a place to call home, when they can walk into this place and have a roof over their head," LeBlanc told CBC News on Friday.
The Digby building is among the 273 new public housing units announced throughout 2023 to be constructed across Nova Scotia that will accommodate more than 700 people.
The $103-million plan marked the first significant investment in new public housing since the 1990s, at a time when many Nova Scotians are desperate for an affordable place to live.
There were 7,978 people on the public housing waitlist as of March 31.
"The challenges that we're seeing in the housing market are not unique to Halifax. We see them right across this province," LeBlanc said.
Some of the new units are modular two- and three-bedroom prefabricated homes and multi-unit buildings that can be built more quickly than traditional public housing.
One of the builders said the whole process takes a matter of months.
"This came in 16 boxes, so 16 boxes. It was sort of like Lego, right? It just stacks together and we tie everything together from there," explained Brad Ross of Citadel Homes.
Twenty-five units have already been built in places like Glace Bay, Springhill and Digby, and are occupied, the province said. Like all public housing, residents pay 30 per cent of their income for rent.
"This is even that much more special, you know, people who really need housing. To be involved in this kind of gives you some nice motivation to wake up in the morning and go to work knowing that you're really doing something that's going to help," Ross said.
The 25 units include two four-plexes in Glace Bay, one four-plex in Springhill and 13 single-family modular homes:
One in Glace Bay.
One in Ingonish.
Two in Port Hawkesbury.
Three in Antigonish.
Two in Amherst.
One in Westville.
One in Clyde River.
Two in Barrington.
As well, 222 public housing units in Glace Bay, Lower Sackville, Kentville, Grand Etang, Bridgewater and Bible Hill are at various stages of development. The province expects to have 22 units in Glace Bay ready by the fall.
The province says the modular units will be finished by this fall and the rest of the larger buildings will be finished by 2028.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
6 hours ago
- CBC
Metro Vancouver releases salary information of top-paid employees
The top salaries for Metro Vancouver's regional government have been released. The organization has been criticized for how much it pays its top earners, and while the new numbers show decreases, CBC News' Justin McElroy reports that they're still likely to raise some eyebrows.
Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Maritime Launch Receives Additional Infrastructure Reimbursement Approval for Over $10 Million from the Province of Nova Scotia for an Additional Small Launcher Launch Pad
CANSO, NS, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Maritime Launch Services Inc. (Cboe CA: MAXQ) (OTCQB: MAXQF) announces that the Company has obtained approval from the Province of Nova Scotia for approximately $10.5M under the Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC). This approval will support the construction of a dedicated launch pad for small launch vehicles, an essential addition to support the company's growing roster of global launch clients. The CITC is a refundable corporate tax credit designed to encourage capital investment in Nova Scotia through approved projects. The approval awarded to Maritime Launch will facilitate the establishment of highly specialized commercial space infrastructure and enhance Canada's sovereign space capabilities. This approval builds upon prior support from the Province under the CITC program. Approximately $30.7 million in CITC funding has been authorized for qualified infrastructure projects at Spaceport Nova Scotia. "This support from the Province sends a clear message to the global space industry that Nova Scotia is open for business," said Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch. "With the help of the CITC, we are building the foundation for Canada's commercial space sector, bringing jobs, innovation, and global investment to rural Nova Scotia and sovereign launch capability to Canada." The dedicated launch pad is a separate, stand-alone launch platform designed to serve Maritime Launch's growing customer base of international launch providers. The project includes the full suite of specialized infrastructure required for safe and efficient orbital launch operations, including a flame diverter, gas and propellant system interfaces, electrical and power systems, civil works, and other mission-critical components tailored to support modern small launch vehicles. "Nova Scotia is working to grow our economy, and we're happy to see companies investing in their future here," said Premier Tim Houston. "This tax credit will continue to support Maritime Launch Services in creating something truly exciting to be part of – a spaceport here in the Province. In the process, they'll create opportunities for Nova Scotians in rural areas." Spaceport Nova Scotia: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation in Nova Scotia and Sovereign Launch Capability for Canada The CITC-supported infrastructure will generate substantial benefits for the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Province as a whole: Job Creation: As the spaceport becomes operational, up to 30 jobs will be created in the local area, spanning technical, operational, and maintenance roles. Local Economic Activity: Infrastructure development and ongoing operations will drive demand across local construction, hospitality, and service sectors. Investment Attraction: Spaceport Nova Scotia will anchor a new high-tech sector in the region, helping to diversify the local economy and position Nova Scotia as a global destination for space and satellite companies. Resilience and Sovereignty: With robust infrastructure in place, Canada strengthens its domestic capability in satellite communications. The CITC is a targeted incentive program offsets 25% of eligible capital expenditures on approved projects in Nova Scotia, with a maximum benefit of $100 million. The program enables transformative infrastructure projects to move forward in rural regions, attracting private-sector investment and high-quality jobs. The support of the Nova Scotia Government's CITC program is essential to attract private-sector investment, stimulate innovation, and create the conditions for long-term economic growth. For more information on this announcement and ongoing development at Spaceport Nova Scotia, please visit: About Maritime Launch Maritime Launch Services Inc. (NEO: MAXQ, OTCQB: MAXQF) is a Canadian-owned commercial space company based in Nova Scotia. Maritime Launch is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, a launch site that will provide satellite delivery services to clients to support the growing commercial space transportation industry over a wide range of inclinations. Spaceport Nova Scotia will allow small and medium-sized launch vehicles to place their satellites into low-earth orbit. Spaceport Nova Scotia is Canada's first commercial orbital launch complex. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: entering into binding definitive extension agreements with the holders of the debentures, consideration payable in connection with the extension of the debentures, and regulatory approval of the extension by the Cboe Exchange. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". Forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely: the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; the Company's ability to come to mutually agreeable binding terms in definitive agreements with the holders of the debentures in a timely manner or at all; continued approval of the Company's activities by the relevant governmental and/or regulatory authorities; the Company's ability to finance its operations until the extension can be secured and profitability of the Company can be achieved and sustained. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
a day ago
Immigration minister defends sweeping new powers in border bill
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab is defending controversial new measures in the Strong Borders Act, such as giving her office the power to cancel immigration documents en masse and placing time limits for asylum seekers to make their applications. There's a lot of applications in the system. We need to act fairly, and treat people appropriately who really do need to claim asylum and who really do need to be protected to stay in Canada, Diab told CBC News. We need to be more efficient in doing that. At the same time, Canadians demand that we have a system that works for everyone. Introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, is meant to protect Canadian sovereignty, strengthen the border and keep Canadians safe, according to the federal government. The bill would make dozens of amendments to existing laws. Its proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act would force asylum seekers entering the country, including students and temporary residents, to make claims within a year. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said mass cancellations of immigration documents would not be done without careful consideration by cabinet. Photo: CBC / Mark Crosby The new law would also require irregular border crossers, people who enter Canada between official ports of entry, to make an asylum claim within 14 days of arriving in Canada. And it would speed up voluntary departures by making removal orders effective the same day an asylum claim is withdrawn. Groups such as the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers are raising concerns about these measures. There are a few categories of people who may end up making a claim after they've been in Canada for more than one year for fully legitimate reasons, said Adam Sadinsky, the group's advocacy co-chair. He cited examples such as changes in government in someone's country of origin, the breakout of conflict or their human rights advocacy in Canada placing a target on them. They may now be in danger returning back home in a way that they weren't when they first arrived, he said. Federal government data shows some 39,445 asylum claimants processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency between January and April. (new window) Sadinsky said if the government's motivations are about clearing backlogs, it may be creating another problem. Asylum seekers who find their application rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada can file appeals to the Refugee Appeal Division. However, shutting them out of the asylum route after a year could make them turn to the Federal Court of Canada for recourse instead, a body that has been public (new window) about its own courtrooms facing severe delays with immigration cases. It's a lot more work for the court, Sadinsky said, when people start getting removal dates from Canada and they have to ask the court for motions for stays of removal from Canada. Sadinsky suggested the government could have reduced backlogs by issuing blanket approvals for would-be asylum seekers from countries where Canada recognizes there is an imminent danger to sending them back, such as Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. WATCH: Public safety minister says border bill will give law enforcement better tools to deal with crime Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Public safety minister says border bill will give law enforcement better tools to deal with crime Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, will 'keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl and crack down on money laundering,' as well as 'enhance the integrity and fairness of our immigration system.' Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the government needed to act, though he recognized courts are facing efficiency problems. We need to be able to do two things at once, he said about changing the asylum system and reducing court backlogs. Reached for comment, the office of the chief justice of the Federal Court said in a statement it would simply hope that any potential impact on the court's workload would be taken into account, citing a previous amendment to immigration law under Stephen Harper's Conservative government in 2010 that included four new court positions. Mass cancellation powers The Migrant Rights Network, an advocacy group, said it is alarmed about the government giving itself the ability to cancel previously issued immigration documents in large groups. What this is, is setting up of a mass deportation machine, said its spokesperson Syed Hussan. Just go out and say we're walking away from the Geneva Convention. Diab said any mass cancellation decisions would be taken by the whole cabinet, not just her office, and they would not be done lightly. These are in exceptional circumstances, when you're talking about mass cancellation or suspension, she said. For example, when COVID happened, we literally had applications coming in, and the system had no authority to suspend or cancel those applications … we could have health risks again. We could have security risks. Bill C-2 is now moving through Parliament. The legislation would normally be studied by parliamentary committee next, though neither Diab nor Gary Anandasangaree, the public safety minister, could say which committee would pick it up. Committees have not been named yet for this sitting and it is unclear if they will before Parliament wraps up for the summer at the end of June. The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers said it intends to write a letter outlining its concerns to the federal government, and would hope to present at committee when the moment arrives. Raffy Boudjikanian (new window) · CBC News ·
