At least once a week, I’m out knocking on doors across Sackville–Cobequid, and one thing is always clear: people here care deeply about our community. Folks are friendly, passionate, and full of ideas about what needs attention.
One issue that comes up again and again is growth — and how we plan for it. With so much new construction happening, people want smart, thoughtful planning that works with the community, not around it. I agree, and I want to flag a recent announcement from Premier Houston that I think deserves our attention.
The province has declared the Downsview Plaza site a “special planning area” for housing. That’s a big deal, because it puts decisions about that land directly in the hands of the Premier and his government — not HRM and not the usual municipal planning process.
Normally, development in HRM includes studies, applications, public hearings, and clear rules about what can be built. Under this special planning process, those safeguards don’t apply. The government can move quickly, skip consultation, and make decisions without ever hearing from the community.
We’ve already seen how this plays out. The massive Sandy Lake development — 9,000 units in an environmentally sensitive area tied to the Sackville River watershed — was approved at record speed after being declared a special planning area. Thousands of residents in Bedford, Lucasville, and Hammonds Plains now have little say, even as they face major impacts on traffic, schools, environment and infrastructure.
My team and I want to get ahead of any decisions about Downsview Plaza by centering YOUR voices – the people who live here and love it. We’re preparing an online survey and planning “Imagine Sackville” sessions where you can share what kinds of housing our community truly needs to grow and thrive.
I believe that if we speak with a shared voice, we can push back against rushed, developer-first decisions and make sure Sackville isn’t left behind. I’m looking forward to working with you to build a clear, community-driven vision — and making sure the government hears it loud and clear.
Keep an eye out for survey links and event dates soon. Thanks for reading this month’s Scoop!
