Partnership’s Submission to the Provincial Law Amendments Committee

October 30, 2008

The Honorable Cecil Clarke
Attorney General
Minister of Justice
Chair of Law Amendments Committee
P. O. Box 1116
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 2X1

Dear Minister Clarke:

Further to our correspondence during the last legislative session, this letter reiterates our support for the regulatory change needed for implementing a predictable and fair system for approving development opportunities in HRM.  The Greater Halifax Partnership leads economic growth for Greater Halifax.  Our focus is our business, our people and our community.  We bring together all three levels of government and more than 150 private sector investors to drive economic growth for our region.  The HRMbyDesign plan outlines our path for development approval in HRM and we support its very balanced and thoughtful approach.

The Partnership has been a strong participant in the HRMbyDesign process.  We have also been a careful observer of the recent discussions and debate on development in downtown Halifax.  We are concerned that several approved projects will never move forward because approval delays may have caused us to miss the economic growth cycle.

Halifax has many of the needed elements in place for growth.  We have a vision, the HRM Regional Plan and Economic Strategy.  We have companies who want to bring high wage jobs to HRM and need new office space.  We have a need, the Conference Board has pegged Halifax as one of the top cities in Canada for growth in 2008.  We have an Economic Strategy that identifies a vibrant, healthy and attractive downtown as a key priority. 

But how do we move forward with new development?  And how do we protect heritage?   We believe the path forward is HRMbyDesign.  It is a plan that increases the economic vitality of the downtown both with new developments and by preserving heritage.  It is not perfect, but it does respond to the vast majority of issues we, as a community, have faced concerning development over the past few years. 

HRMbyDesign’s plan will give our community a clear and more predictable approvals process so that quality development can occur faster, more efficiently and with fewer appeals.  The plan will also encourage municipal investment in heritage protection, infrastructure and public amenities.  It has been a consultative process and reflects a vision and principles supported by the majority of the public. 

The Greater Halifax Partnership supports Bills No. 179, No.181 and No.182.  We are in support of the HRM Charter and the Heritage Property Act amendments that are being sought by HRM in order to effectively implement the HRMbyDesign project. 

Sincerely,

Stephen Dempsey
President and CEO