Construction firm ramps up legal, political efforts in bid to infill cove

The fight to protect Dartmouth Cove is ongoing. After strong community opposition and legal challenges, the federal government rescinded its April 2024 approval of Atlantic Road Construction & Paving’s (ARCP) plan to infill nearly seven acres of Halifax Harbour. However, the company is now pursuing legal action against federal agencies, attempting to force a decision in its favour.

Meanwhile, ARCP has hired a provincial lobbyist. In a climate marked by increased tension between province and municipality, this raises concerns about whether provincial authorities could be convinced to undermine or override community efforts to stop the infill.

Meanwhile, Halifax Regional Municipality is actively working on bylaw amendments to strengthen protections against infill, ensuring that future development prioritizes environmental sustainability and public access. These changes are a crucial step in preventing similar projects from threatening Dartmouth Cove and other waterfront areas.

While progress has been made, this issue is far from over. The community must remain engaged to ensure that Dartmouth Cove is not lost to private interests. Stay informed and get involved by visiting savedartmouthcove.com.