Latest news with #TimothyHalman
CTV News
02-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
N.S. quarry, sand pit receive environmental assessment approval
Nova Scotia's provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa on June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld A quarry and a sand pit in Nova Scotia are both set to expand after receiving environmental assessment approval from the province on Wednesday. Spence Aggregates Ltd.'s quarry project near Newport Station and the Shaw Group's sand pit project near Nictaux received the approvals. The quarry supplies rock, gravel and sand, which are used to build roads and highways, clean energy projects, housing and other infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, the sand pit supplies commercial sand. The material is used to make concrete and for septic installations. The province says the expansions will support Nova Scotia's growth, jobs and infrastructure. 'Pits and quarries provide the building blocks for all of the infrastructure Nova Scotians depend on, from roads and highways, homes and other buildings to hospitals and schools,' said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman in a news release. 'These two approvals have stringent terms and conditions to protect the environment, while allowing sustainable and necessary development to take place for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.' The department adds both approvals have 33 terms and conditions to protect the environment. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nova Scotia makes changes to property disclosure statements
As of July 1, people who want to purchase coastal property in Nova Scotia will have more options to help make informed decisions about living along the coast. Buyers will now have the option for property disclosure statement forms to request that the seller disclose whether coastal flooding, erosion, general flooding, pooling or drainage issues have affected the property. 'Purchasing a property is one of the biggest and most important financial commitments we make, and I applaud the leadership of the real estate commission, who with this change are helping property buyers make informed decisions and investments with respect to potential impacts of climate change,' said Timothy Halman, minister of Environment and Climate Change. 'This is the type of all-hands-on-deck approach to adapting to global climate change that is needed to ensure our communities and homes are sustainable and safe.' The Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission made the changes to the form to follow the province's commitment to work with the commission on increasing awareness and understanding of potential hazards when it comes to owning coastal property, a news release said. The property disclosure statements help protect both buyers and sellers and provide buyers with as much information as possible to make informed decisions. The statement changes apply to land with or without buildings on them. The new tool works with others the province has put in place to help property owners, potential buyers and the real estate sector, including: a coastal hazard assessment report that gives property owners customized information on potential coastal flooding and erosion risks on their property a guide on how to use trees, plants and other natural techniques to protect properties from erosion, rising sea levels and flooding- the coastal hazard mapping tool which shows possible coastal flooding and erosion impacts to properties a checklist and education video for real estate agents to use to help their clients make informed decisions about buying coastal property, developed in partnership with the Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS a navigator service to help coastal property owners understand potential risks and hazards on their property and what they can do to mitigate them. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Globe and Mail
13-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
New rules for mining projects will speed up approvals, says N.S. government
Nova Scotia is streamlining the approval process for potential metal mining projects after they passed have through an environmental assessment. Environment Minister Timothy Halman announced changes Friday to the 'industrial approval' process, which sets rules for the daily operations of a mine and the monitoring of environmental requirements. Mr. Halman told a news conference in Halifax that his government's new 'phased' approach allows applicants to submit some details about their plans after their projects have been approved. For example, a company will be able to submit erosion- and sedimentation-control plans after its project's approval, but before construction on the mine begins. Mr. Halman also said his department will create a specialized team to handle all mining files to ensure timely processing of requests. The minister said the changes will help projects begin more quickly and maintain environmental standards. 'What's being presented to you today is years and years of listening to companies asking for greater clarity and greater predictability and we've delivered that today,' he said. Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw chiefs oppose new fracking law, considering legal action The Mining Society of Nova Scotia said in a release the industry welcomes the changes and hopes they will 'improve the efficiency of the permitting process.' However, Karen McKendry, senior wilderness outreach coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, said in an interview Friday that the provincial government hasn't made needed improvements to transparency in the industrial approval process. The public can't view documents related to industrial approval applications until after they've been approved, she said. 'All of the details about water monitoring and air monitoring and protecting wildlife are very opaque … There's no public input.' In addition, she said, 'under the industrial approval process, the details of how a project operates can be changed over and over again without anybody finding out about it.' She said that while the government is committing to shortening timelines for industry, it has ignored appeals for changes that 'serve the environment or the public' by giving citizens more opportunity to comment on potential projects.
Global News
13-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
N.S. government says new rules for mining projects will speed up approvals
Nova Scotia's government is streamlining the approval process for potential mining projects after they go through an environmental assessment. Environment Minister Timothy Halman announced changes today to the 'industrial approval' process, which sets rules for the daily operations of a mine, and the monitoring of environmental requirements. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Halman told a news conference in Halifax that his government's new 'phased' approach allows applicants to submit some details about their plans after their projects have been approved. For example, a company will be able to submit erosion- and sedimentation-control plans after its project's approval but before construction on the mine begins. As well, Halman says his department will create a new specialized team to handle all mining files to ensure timely processing of requests. The minister says the changes will help projects begin more quickly, while maintaining environmental standards. Story continues below advertisement This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nova Scotia streamlines metal mining industrial approval process
Nova Scotia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman (left) makes an announcement regarding changes specific to metal mining applications. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic) The province rolled out changes to its metal mining application process today to speed up approvals for companies looking to set up a mine in Nova Scotia. Metal mining projects in Nova Scotia require two provincial approvals from the Department of Environment and Climate Change which include an environmental assessment and industrial approval. Changes introduced today aimed at streamlining the application process for industrial approval and cutting red tape said Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. 'These changes will result in a smarter application process that is clearer for industry, maintains strong environmental protection and help grows our economy,' said Halman in a news release. 'Our mining industry is critically important and can play a larger role in supplying the minerals that are in global demand to fight climate change.' With the changes announced the province will set up a dedicated team within the department to handle all mining applications. More details to come. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
