Latest news with #HammondsPlains
CTV News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
No charges to be laid in 2023 Hammonds Plains, N.S., wildfires after two-year investigation
Charred woodlands are pictured following a wildfire in the suburban community of Hammonds Plains, N.S. outside of Halifax on Thursday, June 22, 2023. After a two-year investigation, Nova Scotia has run out of time to lay any charges for the 2023 Upper Tantallon and Hammonds Plains wildfires under the Forests Act. Under that act, the Department of Natural Resources has two years from the date of an offence to lay charges. In a news release, the province says charges are only laid if there is enough evidence to secure a conviction. 'There is a high bar for what can be used as evidence in court,' the release reads. People convicted for Forests Act violations can be fined up to $500,000 and/or face up to six months in prison. The Department of Natural Resources previously said it had exhausted all leads in its investigation last August. The wildfire, which officially started on May 28, 2023, displaced more than 16,000 residents and burned 969 hectares. It lasted for several days and destroyed 151 homes. Wildfire Charred woodlands are pictured following a wildfire in the suburban community of Hammonds Plains, N.S. outside of Halifax on Thursday, June 22, 2023. (Darren Calabrese) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
22-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Hatfield Farm welcomes new foal
Atlantic Watch Hatfield Farm in Hammonds Plains, N.S., welcomed a new baby horse on Tuesday.
CBC
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Road reopens after structure fire in Hammonds Plains
Wildberry Lane fire reported before 3 p.m. on Monday Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency is investigating after a structure fire on Wildberry Lane in Hammonds Plains, N.S. Crews were called to the scene off Pockwock Road on Monday afternoon. The regional fire service told CBC News two cars in front of a three-car garage were on fire and that the fire had spread to a wooded area behind it. The main home on the property did sustain some heat damage, but it was not significant. No one was injured in the fire, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency said. The fire is now out and the cause is not yet known. A Facebook page operated by the union representing Halifax firefighters said in a post that firefighters were dispatched at 2:41 p.m. "While en route, a working structure fire was confirmed, and the call has since escalated to a second alarm to bring in additional resources. "Our members are currently on scene facing heavy fire conditions. Please avoid the area to allow crews to work safely." In an X post, RCMP said they were assisting fire services with traffic control, and that Pockwock Road was closed at the intersection of White Hills Run. At 6:03 p.m., Nova Scotia RCMP posted that the roadway had been reopened.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Crews on scene at structure fire in Hammonds Plains
Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency is at the scene of a structure fire on Wildberry Lane in Hammonds Plains, N.S. Crews were called to the scene off Pockwock Road sometime before 3 p.m. on Monday. Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency told CBC News it's a structure and vehicle fire with some spread into the woods.
CBC
25-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Electoral boundary commission appointed to consider representation for Chéticamp
The nine members of a commission tasked with creating dedicated representation in the Nova Scotia Legislature for Chéticamp were announced Friday. Despite concerns about population growth in other parts of the province creating imbalances in electoral representation, the commission's terms of reference limit members' work to focusing on the traditional Acadian region. The all-party select committee announced that Kenneth Deveau of Comeauville will chair the commission. Joining him will be: Mark Bannerman, Hammonds Plains. Glenn Graham, Southside Harbour. Gwen LeBlanc, Wedgeport. Martin Chaisson, Cheticamp. Armand Paul, Sydney. Jason MacLean, Middle Sackville. Natalie Robichaud, New Edinburgh. Rohini Bannerjee, Halifax. Jill Houlihan of Halifax will serve as an alternate. The commission was struck in response to a Nova Scotia Supreme Court ruling in November that found the lack of a protected district for Chéticamp following a 2019 boundaries review was a breach of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Although most of the 55 electoral districts in Nova Scotia are drawn to reflect considerations for effective representation and voter parity, varying no more than 25 per cent above or below the estimated average number of electors, there are four exceptions to provide protected representation for reasons of history and culture. The Nova Scotia Legislature already has protected seats to recognize the traditional Acadian districts of Argyle, Clare and Richmond, and the historic Black district of Preston. The number of electors for those seats is much lower than in the other 51 districts. Now the commission will look at how to include Chéticamp in that list of protected areas. The terms of reference released Friday show that that could be accomplished several ways, including through the use of non-contiguous districts. Changes must be ready for legislation next year The commission's interim report is due by Aug. 29, with a deadline for the final report of Jan. 20, 2026. The commission can request an extension but their work must be finished in time for the government to be able to introduce a bill in the legislature to implement the recommendations before July 15, 2026. The group will hold public hearings before preparing each of its reports and will also accept written submissions. The preliminary report must include boundaries for 55 districts and 56 districts. The final report can only include one recommendation for the number of seats in Province House. Although there have been arguments for a broader look at the district boundaries and the number of seats in the legislature in order to account for the growing population in Halifax Regional Municipality, this commission will not do that work. The group's final term of reference stipulates that it cannot recommend changes to "any electoral district not located on Cape Breton Island unless the commission considers it necessary to maintain effective representation."
