Latest news with #TimHalman
CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Environment minister suggests offshore wind necessary to meet 2030 climate targets
Nova Scotia's environment minister says he believes his government can still reach its goal of having the province off coal and generating 80 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but he also suggested Tuesday that effort would require the help of offshore wind. "I think it has to," Tim Halman told CBC News in an interview. The problem for Halman is that bids for offshore wind development are not scheduled to open until the end of this year and industry experts say it takes at least seven years to build an offshore wind farm, a timeline considered to be ambitious. Although the province has approved 14 onshore wind farms, which will play "a major role" in achieving the 2030 goals, the province needs "other things, as well," said Halman, who went on to list expanded solar power and offshore wind. Greenhouse gas reduction targets on track — report The 2030 goals are part of legislation the Progressive Conservatives passed during their first mandate that lays out steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat and adapt to climate change and reach net-zero emissions status by 2050. That legislation requires annual progress reports and the latest update released by the government last week shows mixed findings. With a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, Nova Scotia currently has reduced emissions by 38 per cent. The report says the province is on track to reach its target. It also shows that programs from Efficiency Nova Scotia exceeded their targets for saving electricity and reducing demand. Some goals appear at risk But in other areas, the province appears to have an uphill battle in achieving its targets. Twenty per cent of Nova Scotia's total land and water mass is supposed to be protected by 2030 and to date the figure stands at 13.75 per cent. A provincial food strategy was supposed to be developed, yet the report makes no mention of the fact that the agriculture minister announced the abandonment of that plan earlier this year. The province is also well off the pace it requires to achieve the goal of having zero-emission vehicles make up 30 per cent of new vehicle sales by 2030. It was at five per cent in 2024, up from 4.4 per cent the previous year. The report also says a step calling for the banning of oil-fired heating equipment in new buildings by 2025 "is being considered in a way that considers affordability for Nova Scotians." Halman could not provide clarity on whether that means his government intends to make good on the action. He said he has "a laser focus" on implementing the goals, but also said — without elaborating — that the government does not want to do anything that could cause an increase in the cost of living. Marla MacLead, director of programs for the Ecology Action Centre, said she was underwhelmed by the progress report. "The thing that struck me is this government really lacks courage," she said in an interview. MacLeod said government officials seem unwilling to have mature conversations, are sitting on multiple reports that relate to the environmental goals and won't be up front about targets that have either been abandoned or seem in danger of being missed. There's real ambition around the talk of offshore wind, which if done well could be "an incredible step" for the province's environment and energy needs, said MacLeod. But overall, she said, too many of the goals and actions in the plan are lagging behind and the government isn't doing enough to engage with partners that could help. "We're just not seeing the progress that we need."
Global News
24-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
No set deadline for company's cleanup plan for shuttered Nova Scotia mill: minister
Nova Scotia's environment minister said Thursday there is no set deadline for Northern Pulp to submit a cleanup plan for its shuttered mill site near Pictou, N.S. Tim Halman told reporters following a cabinet meeting that the next step for the insolvent company is to submit a reclamation plan for the site that will be assessed by his department. 'Once we have the specifics of the plan, we will have more to say,' Halman said of his department's expectations for the mill site cleanup. The mill located in Abercrombie Point, N.S., directly across the harbour from Pictou, used to produce bleached kraft pulp — an ingredient for paper. Northern Pulp announced last week that it was starting a court-supervised sale of its assets as part of a creditor protection process. The company took the step after a feasibility study concluded that it could not achieve the 14 per cent internal rate of return required in a settlement agreement with the province to develop a bioproducts facility near Liverpool, N.S. Story continues below advertisement The company has been under creditor protection since closing the mill in June 2020 after it failed to meet provincial environmental requirements for a new effluent treatment plant. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Under the settlement agreement the cost for the company to implement its mill site closure plan is $15 million. Halman wouldn't say whether that figure will be enough and wouldn't speculate on what would happen if Northern Pulp doesn't have enough money left over to cover the cost following the court process. 'I'm not going to speak to hypotheticals because my department and my staff and myself don't know until we have a reclamation plan from the company,' the minister said. 1:56 Northern Pulp to cut off all discharge into lagoons until end of April Northern Pulp was not immediately available for comment on Thursday. The nearly 200,000 hectares of company-managed timberlands is also in the process of being sold off, and Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton said Thursday that the provincial government is watching to see how that process unfolds. Story continues below advertisement 'This is historical lands that the forestry sector has utilized for the economy … so we are paying attention to ensure that land stays within the forestry sector,' Rushton said, although he wouldn't say whether the province would consider buying it. 'We want to see what the rules are before we make any decisions,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.
CBC
24-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Nova Scotia waiting on cleanup plan from Northern Pulp for defunct mill
Social Sharing Northern Pulp is abandoning its plans in Nova Scotia, but the province is still counting on the company to decommission its old mill and clean up the site in Pictou County that was used for heavy industrial activity for more than half a century. Environment Minister Tim Halman says his department is waiting for the company to file a reclamation plan. He offered little other information about how things could unfold. "We'll have more to say about that Abercrombie site when there's updates," he told reporters Thursday following a cabinet meeting, referring to the mill's location in Abercrombie Point. Northern Pulp had been pursuing a new mill in Liverpool, N.S., and had said it would maintain the old mill for "potential logistics operations." But the plan for a new mill was abandoned earlier this month. In a settlement agreement reached last year, Northern Pulp agreed to pay up to $15 million to the province for the mill's closure and any necessary cleanup. The pulp and paper mill was built in the 1960s and operated under several different owners until it was forced to shut down in 2020 and went into a mothball state. A chemical producer, Canso Chemicals, also operated on the site for two decades, leaving behind mercury contamination. Halman wouldn't comment on what the extent of the contamination might be. "The proponent needs to put forward the specifics in that reclamation plan, and once we have that, we'll have more to say," he said. Debts to pay off, first Before Northern Pulp gives the promised $15 million to the province, it must first pay off hundreds of millions of dollars owed to its creditors as part of an insolvency process being handled in a B.C. court. The company is preparing to auction off its assets and it's not clear how much debt it will be able to pay off. Halman said there's no deadline for the reclamation plan to be filed. "It's about expectations, and the province has the expectation that the Environment Act is followed," he said. WATCH| Northern Pulp abandons plans for a new mill: Northern Pulp will not pursue new operation near Liverpool 9 days ago Members of Nova Scotia's forestry sector and the natural resources minister say they're disappointed, but not surprised. On Monday, Northern Pulp announced it would continue with its creditor protection process with an effort to sell off its assets. Michael Gorman has the story. Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette said the public deserves a timeline. "I think the community needs a clear set of expectations of when that [reclamation plan] can be released," Mombourquette said. NDP MLA Paul Wozney questioned whether the province will be able to hold Northern Pulp accountable and keep taxpayers off the hook. "How brave do they want to be in using their powers to protect Nova Scotians in that respect?" Wozney said. He wasn't clear about what levers he thought the province should pull to hold the company accountable, saying "it's more a philosophical question than a functional one." Representatives for the company did not immediately respond to questions about the mill's closure and site cleanup.
CBC
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
N.S. gov't signals possible shift on keeping environmental racism report private
Amid ongoing public pressure, the Progressive Conservative government is signalling that details about a report on environmental racism in Nova Scotia could be shared. The panel that produced the report delivered it to the government a year ago, but its contents have remained unknown. Public calls from Mi'kmaw chiefs and opposition MLAs for its release had gone unheeded, until Thursday afternoon. A statement from Becky Druhan, the minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, said a public report was not part of the panel's mandate, but it is understandable that people would be interested and the government wants to be transparent. "Out of respect for the panel, we want to meet with members before sharing any further details publicly. As minister, I have directed staff to reach out and arrange this meeting. I look forward to that discussion." Druhan's statement followed several of her cabinet colleagues earlier in the day saying they've not read the report and others standing behind the decision not to make it public. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley said he's not seen the report or asked to see it. Health Minister Michelle Thompson told reporters that she has access to the report but has not had a chance to read it. Environment Minister Tim Halman said he's been briefed on the report "at a high level," and that he anticipated being involved in a meeting with panel members when it's scheduled. African Nova Scotian Affairs Minister Twila Grosse told reporters she has reviewed the report, but said she would not share her views on its contents because the report sits with the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism and not her department. "We want to ensure that we collaborate and we move forward together with this," she said. Earlier this week, Membertou First Nation Chief Terry Paul said he and the rest of the Mi'kmaw chiefs in the province agree that the report needs to be shared publicly as a matter of accountability. Paul said none of the chiefs have seen the report. Speaking to reporters prior to Druhan's statement, Liberal MLA Iain Rankin questioned how much of a priority the document and its recommendations are for the government. The Office of Equity and Anti-Racism was created by Rankin during his brief tenure as premier and he said he did that to put the issue "at the centre of government." Rankin said elected officials must push ahead on such issues because there can be resistance within the bureaucracy. When he was environment minister, Rankin said he went against advice from public servants when he used the term "environmental racism" to describe certain situations. "We need to tackle institutional racism and, honestly, this is a reflection of institutional racism within government itself," he said. Report informing government policy NDP MLA Susan LeBlanc renewed her party's call for the report to be made public. It was an amendment to Progressive Conservative environmental legislation in 2022 by LeBlanc's caucus colleague, Suzy Hansen, that led to the creation of the panel. On Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston said he hasn't seen the report, but he's been briefed on it. The premier told reporters that government officials are working on some of the recommendations while others are still being reviewed. The document is being used to develop government policy, he said. "I think it served the purpose. We had a bunch of good people, they did some work and they made some recommendations and government is taking it seriously."
CBC
13-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.S. shakes up requirements for metal mines in bid to speed up approvals
Nova Scotia Environment Minister Tim Halman says he's acting on years of requests from the mining industry to change the regulatory requirements for some major projects. The changes are the latest move in the Houston government's plan to ramp up resource development. "We are embracing the fact that strong environmental protection, economic opportunity and regulatory clarity are not competing priorities. They must work together, and in Nova Scotia they will," Halman said at a news conference Friday. Halman's department is removing 15 requirements from the application for industrial approvals, which a project needs before it can start operating. The changes apply only to metal mining projects, while all other major projects will still have to meet the pre-existing requirements for industrial applications. 15 requirements pushed down the road The 15 requirements that were dropped include noise and air emissions monitoring plans, the submission of reclamation securities and signed authorization from landowners, among other items. The requirements are not being completely discarded but are being pushed further down the road. The requirements will be conditions of industrial approval, with deadlines coming at various stages of construction and operation of the mine. Officials from Halman's department called it a "phased" approach and said it will help speed things up. "When a company receives industrial approval, it may be many months or years before they begin construction," said Janet MacKinnon, executive director of sustainability and applied science. "So we wouldn't necessarily need that information until they were ready at that phase of their project to start building or start constructing or start operating." 'Quicker is better' Metal mining projects have to undergo a Class I environmental assessment, which takes 50 days, before moving on to industrial approval, which takes 60 days. Those timelines are set in legislation. The period in between receipt of environmental approval and the submission of an application for industrial approval is highly variable, said Paul Keats, and that's the area the province is aiming to address. Keats, director of the regional integration, compliance and operations unit at the Environment Department, said the months or years that can go by in between the two stages is dictated in part by the applicant's ability to meet all the requirements for industrial applications. He said a group of 10 staff has been assigned to work exclusively on industrial approvals for metal mining projects. "We are going to be here to help clients understand the requirements and help them get through a successful approval quicker," he said. He couldn't say exactly how much time he expects the new process to shave off. "Quicker is better," said Keats. MacKinnon said Mi'kmaw leaders were "made aware" of the changes to the industrial approval process and will continue to be consulted on a project-by-project basis.
