Nova Scotia premier ‘shocked’ by new designated homeless encampments in Halifax

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he is shocked by some of the locations chosen by Halifax city council as designated sites for homeless encampments.

Houston told reporters after a cabinet meeting today that he “almost fell off his chair” when he learned the city wanted to allow homeless people to set up tents in certain areas.

Earlier this week, Halifax city hall approved nine new sites – seven on the Halifax Peninsula and two across Dartmouth Harbour – because existing homeless encampments are over capacity.

Houston says proposed sites like Point Pleasant Park and Halifax Commons are high-traffic public areas and unsuitable for homeless encampments.

He said his government had presented the municipality with a list of about 40 alternative sites, but he did not give details to reporters.

According to the Affordable Housing Association Nova Scotia, there are 1,326 homeless people in Halifax.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2024.

The Canadian Press