Jen Taplin
@jentaplin.bsky.social
Halifax-based City Hall reporter for the Chronicle Herald. Reporting since I was 11. Mom of 3.
At HRM’s audit committee meeting on Wednesday, staff requested a $1-million advance from the next fiscal year’s budget and $400,000 extra to pay for cost overruns
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Lakeside rec centre needs more cash to finish construction
HRM looking to advance $1 million and add $400k to keep $23 million project on track
www.saltwire.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:42 AM
At HRM’s audit committee meeting on Wednesday, staff requested a $1-million advance from the next fiscal year’s budget and $400,000 extra to pay for cost overruns
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
There are other, similar sized towers are proposed in the neighbourhood too.
14-storey tower proposed across from NSCC Akerley Campus in Dartmouth
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14-storey tower proposed across from NSCC Akerley Campus in Dartmouth
Other towers are expected to be built in this ‘open and underdeveloped’ area that lacks sewer infrastructure
www.saltwire.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM
There are other, similar sized towers are proposed in the neighbourhood too.
“It’s the first time the total assessed value has exceeded $200 billion. It’s showing that our market is vibrant …”
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What to expect when Nova Scotia property assessments arrive: Total value hits $200 billion for the first time
Apartments, condominiums, and multi-unit properties experiencing ‘notable growth’
www.saltwire.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:24 PM
“It’s the first time the total assessed value has exceeded $200 billion. It’s showing that our market is vibrant …”
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“We want the women to come and play here. We’ve got a good, good audience. We’ll sell out.”
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‘We need it’: Halifax hockey fans inspired, want their own PWHL team
Second game of PWHL Takeover Tour sells out Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre
www.saltwire.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
“We want the women to come and play here. We’ve got a good, good audience. We’ll sell out.”
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Let’s go Die Hard! (Voting closes this evening)
December 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Let’s go Die Hard! (Voting closes this evening)
The developer, who says they could have started building their Halifax housing project in July 2024 if not for HRM getting in the way, said they’re owed by HRM for the delay and the legal costs.
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www.saltwire.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The developer, who says they could have started building their Halifax housing project in July 2024 if not for HRM getting in the way, said they’re owed by HRM for the delay and the legal costs.
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“I think for many years we were sort of thinking, ‘Are we ever gonna get a shot here?’ You know what I mean?”
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‘Scotia’s finally in the building’: Nova Scotia drag queens sashay into Canada’s Drag Race for the first time
Two drag queens with Halifax roots — and another Maritime queen from Moncton — are tearing up the runway in season six
www.saltwire.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM
“I think for many years we were sort of thinking, ‘Are we ever gonna get a shot here?’ You know what I mean?”
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Reposted by Jen Taplin
‘Scotia’s finally in the building’: Nova Scotia drag queens sashay into Canada’s Drag Race for the first time www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
‘Scotia’s finally in the building’: Nova Scotia drag queens sashay into Canada’s Drag Race for the first time
Two drag queens with Halifax roots — and another Maritime queen from Moncton — are tearing up the runway in season six
www.saltwire.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
‘Scotia’s finally in the building’: Nova Scotia drag queens sashay into Canada’s Drag Race for the first time www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
“It was very disappointing to hear this news, and it really calls into question the process by which HRM is deciding about a project that has public and civic engagement,” said Emily Davidson, a Turret Arts Space Society board member.
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Halifax shoots down $1.5-million request, intends to buy back Khyber building
Non-profit has been working on a redevelopment plan for over a decade
www.saltwire.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“It was very disappointing to hear this news, and it really calls into question the process by which HRM is deciding about a project that has public and civic engagement,” said Emily Davidson, a Turret Arts Space Society board member.
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Halifax peninsula is considered one of the most constrained transportation networks in North America because of its geography, limited access points and narrow transportation corridors.
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Can traffic on the Halifax peninsula be fixed? Nova Scotia puts out a call for suggestions for better efficiency
Request for proposals issued Wednesday to dig into traffic woes on the peninsula
www.saltwire.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Halifax peninsula is considered one of the most constrained transportation networks in North America because of its geography, limited access points and narrow transportation corridors.
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“I don’t want her story to be sad. If you’re going to have tears in your eyes, please also put a smile there too.”
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Little Ellie shows how to be happy through leukemia, theft, and domestic instability thanks to Halifax's heart
Through all the terrible times, all Leah wants people to know about her story is the joy and the kindness she’s found in Halifax.
www.saltwire.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
“I don’t want her story to be sad. If you’re going to have tears in your eyes, please also put a smile there too.”
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Maintaining the water quality, trail connectivity and existing multiuse pathway are the highest on the priority list.
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Halifax's international paddling venue still needs improvement five years after canoe federation's suggestions
Recommendations from the International Canoe Federation five years ago are still not completed
www.saltwire.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Maintaining the water quality, trail connectivity and existing multiuse pathway are the highest on the priority list.
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
Primaris is pitching an at-grade transit terminal integrated into the podium of the residential towers. This is a big switch from when the mall’s previous owner, Cushman Wakefield, envisioned an underground bus terminal.
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Big tower and transit terminal changes in updated Mumford growth node plans
Development near Halifax Shopping Centre involves four high rises and a new transit terminal
www.saltwire.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Primaris is pitching an at-grade transit terminal integrated into the podium of the residential towers. This is a big switch from when the mall’s previous owner, Cushman Wakefield, envisioned an underground bus terminal.
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
“Are Halifax drivers really that different from the 57 studies in the U.S.? I don’t know (but) I doubt it.”
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Do Halifax’s speed display signs slow traffic? Should we get more?
HRM’s transportation committee looks into speed display signs to see if they’re worth keeping
www.saltwire.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“Are Halifax drivers really that different from the 57 studies in the U.S.? I don’t know (but) I doubt it.”
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The previous plan was for 28- and 29-storey towers with a collection of restored heritage buildings in front.
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Developer looking to add 10-storey building next to twin 34-storey high rises in downtown Halifax
Housing development also includes restoring five heritage homes after one was dropped two years ago
www.saltwire.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The previous plan was for 28- and 29-storey towers with a collection of restored heritage buildings in front.
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www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
"This was a big hurdle in terms of moving from where we started to where we are, so I think this was one of the biggest hurdles.”
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Dartmouth Cove anti-infilling bylaw passes provincial test: ‘This was a big hurdle’
Nova Scotia allows Halifax bylaw to proceed with three conditions
www.saltwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 PM
"This was a big hurdle in terms of moving from where we started to where we are, so I think this was one of the biggest hurdles.”
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“Graham now stands tall, watching over the neighbourhood, and represents all the special characters of the area.”
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‘He was a beautiful man’: North-end Halifax mural honours beloved community fixture
Family, community dazzled by mural honouring Graham Prevost, his improvised helmet and his trusty bicycle
www.saltwire.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“Graham now stands tall, watching over the neighbourhood, and represents all the special characters of the area.”
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“The key message here is we know that people don’t disappear when the encampments are de-designated."
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Over 900 people are living in shelters in Halifax, 197 are unsheltered: point-in-time count
Deep dive into homelessness in Halifax shows sharp increases and some progress
www.saltwire.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
“The key message here is we know that people don’t disappear when the encampments are de-designated."
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“It really was a fabulous example of, yet again, Maritimers and their hearts and compassion at play."
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Stranded pilot whale rescued in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia
Quick action by experts and locals meant the difference for a young, long-finned pilot whale
www.saltwire.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
“It really was a fabulous example of, yet again, Maritimers and their hearts and compassion at play."
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“We’re redeveloping it as a complete community, blockable with ground-floor commercial, upper-storey residential and with significant land set aside for park access," said one of the developers.
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18,000 housing units proposed in Halifax wilderness
Residents have their say at open house for Highway 102 West Corridor Special Planning Area
www.saltwire.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“We’re redeveloping it as a complete community, blockable with ground-floor commercial, upper-storey residential and with significant land set aside for park access," said one of the developers.
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“Designated encampments were always meant to be a temporary emergency response.”
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Halifax closing all designated homeless encampments within two years
Homelessness in Halifax has increased by 400 per cent since 2018, but city staff say fewer than 100 people are sleeping rough.
www.saltwire.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
“Designated encampments were always meant to be a temporary emergency response.”
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“The dog was thrashing him around; it had his arms in his jaw. It was very violent.”
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‘I just started punching it in the head’: Halifax 13-year-old, mom awarded Carnegie medal for heroism during dog attack
Windsor Junction family uses the spotlight to call for change in Nova Scotia’s response to dog attacks
www.saltwire.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“The dog was thrashing him around; it had his arms in his jaw. It was very violent.”
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The proposals are for a 64-unit building and a 22-unit building, both oceanfront on Main Road. They far exceed the 12-unit maximum for the area.
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Eastern Passage housing developments a mistake in more ways than one, say neighbours
HRM looking at exceptions for waterfront developments after unintentional bylaw changes
www.saltwire.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The proposals are for a 64-unit building and a 22-unit building, both oceanfront on Main Road. They far exceed the 12-unit maximum for the area.
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
