UDI Update Regarding Provinces Refusal to Approve HRM's Amendments to the Regional Plan

From the desk of the Executive Director, Stephen Adams – August 12, 2025

Dear UDI members:

As promised, I have an update to report regarding the Province’s refusal to approve HRM’s amendments to the Regional Plan.

On Monday, August 11, Halifax Regional Municipality announced that the Nova Scotia government rejected changes to the revised Regional Plan submitted by the municipality to the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

What does this mean for you as UDI members and your clients?

It means that the Nova Scotia government listened to our concerns around two specific issues:

- Clauses EN-34, 40 and 47: Changing watercourse setbacks from 20 meters to 30 meters; and,

- Clause EN-70: requiring EV-ready parking stalls for all parking spaces.

After Halifax Regional Council adopted these changes to the Regional Plan in June, despite UDI Nova Scotia’s opposition, we wrote Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr to ask that these clauses be removed.

The Nova Scotia government responded with positive action.

For the time being, it means that the previous Regional Plan, first adopted in 2014 and last amended in May 2025 remains in effect. In other words, the 20-meter watercourse buffer will remain in place, and there is no legislated requirement to install EV-ready parking spaces.

At this point in time, we do not know the extent of any negative implications this decision may have. Over the next few days, we will work to find out and most importantly, determine how they can be resolved.

As we always do, UDI Nova Scotia will be doing everything we can to engage constructively with HRM and the Province as they consider next steps. Once the processes get underway, we will contact you for your input.

Stephen Adams

Executive Director