Latest news with #NovaScotiaFederationofMunicipalities
CBC
16-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Does Nova Scotia's hiked deed transfer tax help or hurt housing?
There's disagreement in the Strait of Canso area over whether a recent increase in Nova Scotia's deed transfer tax for non-resident landowners will help or hurt local housing efforts. The tax, which doubled to 10 per cent from five per cent on April 1, now applies to all residential properties with three dwellings or less, including vacant land that is considered to be residential. The move drew fire from the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors and last week sparked Richmond County council to approach the province and the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities with concerns that the increase could hamper the Strait-area housing market. However, not all Richmond councillors agree on the issue, and a local land developer who sells to Canadians and Europeans alike feels the tax hike could halt bidding wars that have clogged the housing market since the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. Land developer praises province's 'genius move' When the tax increase was introduced as part of the government's Financial Measures Act, Finance Minister John Lohr described the move as a means of helping Nova Scotians compete with out-of-province buyers for new homes. Rolf Bouman, the founder of the property sales firm Canadian Pioneer Estates, agrees with the concept, although he acknowledges those directly involved in house sales rather than land transfers would have an opposing view. "As a land developer, it's pretty good because people will then decide to build houses and it gives a lot of employment," said Bouman, whose company is based in Aulds Cove, N.S. "But as a broker, I probably wouldn't like it, because the broker has the job to get the highest price for the vendor or seller for a house. And, of course, when you exclude people from outside of the province, or you make it harder for them to, in fact, purchase land, that might hurt the bottom line for the seller of the house, as well as the broker for their commission." However, Bouman sees a net benefit from the province's strategy in that it could cool off bidding wars between residents and non-residents. "This was a genius move on the part of the province, or the premier, or whoever came up with the idea," Bouman said. "I would have set the tax even higher. But for now, it's good where it's at." Richmond County calling for changes Meanwhile, Richmond County officials feel the province isn't considering how the tax hike could impact the local housing market. They're also concerned the increase is punitive to former Nova Scotians trying to return home and contribute to the communities they once left behind. "We've got local people who are flagging these concerns and asking for some reconsideration on some of the terms of it," said St. Peter's-area councillor Amanda Mombourquette, who brought the issue to the council table earlier this month. "Businesses and investors, they like certainty. So when we have changes like this that are really disruptive to business models that have been in place for some time, it can create some concern and discourage investment." Warden Lois Landry, who said at the previous council meeting that "there are some advantages to this tax," is hopeful the county and the province can work together to recognize anyone who could be impacted by the recent increase. "We have had some concerns from residents about property values increasing in their assessment, and what that does to the property tax that you're required to pay," Landry said. The county will vote on its next steps regarding the tax at its monthly meeting next week in Arichat.
CBC
15-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Municipalities' group weighs in on N.S. coastal protection blueprint
Watch Tom Murphy's interview with Pam Mood, mayor of Yarmouth and the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities. She said despite the Houston government scrapping the Coastal Protection Act last year, the province's announcement is "a great step forward."
CBC
03-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Municipalities call for changes to 'tremendously concerning' N.S. transportation bill
The advocacy group for Nova Scotia municipalities has asked for changes to a bill that would allow the province to charge towns and regions for new transportation infrastructure, a power that is "tremendously concerning" to their members. The Progressive Conservative government's proposed Bill 24 grants sweeping powers to the public works minister over transportation and transit decisions. It states the minister could order a municipality to build or remove infrastructure, and "do anything necessary" to ensure the smooth movement of people and goods. If that work isn't done in a "reasonable time," the province could complete it — and the cost would become a municipal debt owed to the province. Pam Mood, Yarmouth mayor and president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, said dozens of mayors, wardens and senior municipal staff met last week to talk about the pending legislation. She said there was a "huge fear" that municipalities would receive a bill they couldn't afford, pushing them into bankruptcy because of their inability to run deficits. "There were pieces like that that were tremendously concerning," Mood said last Thursday. NSFM members were also worried about municipal autonomy being removed "without a conversation," Mood said. But Mood said she had a positive meeting with Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr and Public Works Minister Fred Tilley late last week. Mood said the ministers told her the PC government does not intend to take dramatic steps such as billing a municipality for project work, and are open to clarifying wording that would "take away the angst" and concerns. "That's certainly not the province's intention. They understand, like we do, whatever is good for municipalities is good to uplift the entire province," Mood said. But Mood said a wording change is important. "We can't have municipalities out there believing something that simply won't happen," she said. "Because when it's in the legislation, it's saying it can happen." Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile of the District of Lunenburg said she isn't comfortable with the bill's wording. In a rural district made up of mostly provincial roads and few municipally-owned streets, McLean-Wile said she's concerned the minister could force the municipality to pay for improvements to provincial roadways. McLean-Wile said municipal leaders are very aware of the importance of improving transportation and transit, and would be happy to collaborate with the government on a provincewide approach. "One has to wonder, why does the province believe it needs that new power? And why would it not work with us to figure out solutions to this that could help meet their objectives, without jeopardizing the tax base and increasing the tax burden on municipal government?" McLean-Wile said. "It isn't clear what the intent is behind this, and that is worrisome." Bill 24 also changes the Joint Regional Transportation Agency (JRTA) to Link Nova Scotia, broadening its scope to the entire province instead of Halifax and surrounding areas. The JRTA's final report has yet to be released, but the province has announced pieces, like a Halifax light-rail study and new highway connectors. Link N.S. will be able to acquire or build transportation assets, manage a transit service, and prepare a province-wide plan to improve transportation. Mayor Cecil Clarke of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality said he's glad to see the province owning the transportation file, and is hopeful Link Nova Scotia's work could lead to expanded transit, port capacity, and light rail in CBRM. "This brings me to a table we weren't at a year ago, so I'll treat it as an opportunity rather than a threat," said Clarke, a former Progressive Conservative MLA. Bill 24 also states a municipality's regulations, bylaws and policies for transportation must be reasonably consistent with plans from the provincial government and Link N.S. But Coun. Kathryn Morse of the Halifax Regional Municipality said she's concerned those provincial priorities might not always align with the capital city's — the latest example being Premier Houston's decision to remove the Halifax bridge tolls in April. "It's going to increase traffic. It's not ideal in terms of managing traffic to remove tolls," said Morse, adding that cities like London and New York have gone in the opposite direction with congestion pricing. "We're taking our existing congestion pricing away at not the best time. So to me, the whole toll removal, the way it was done is kind of a cautionary tale when it comes to Bill 24," Morse said. CBC asked Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore's office for reaction to Bill 24, but did not receive a response. Mayor Mood said conversations with the PC government will continue as the bill moves through Province House. The legislation was introduced on Feb.20, and has yet to pass second reading or the law amendments committee.
