On October 10, 2024, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia will be represented as Intervenor in a Nova Scotia Court of Appeal hearing connected to the heritage registration of 1254 Edward Street. The outcome of this case could, potentially, prevent all future third-party heritage registrations and further imperil heritage structures throughout Nova Scotia.

This month’s municipal elections give those of us who value built heritage the opportunity to elect representatives who understand the importance of built heritage and who are committed to  protecting it.  Before you cast your ballot, we hope you will take the time to find out what your local candidates’ positions are on built heritage.

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia has written to Halifax Regional Municipal Council to express their deep concern over a recommendation to demolish the Halifax memorial Library.

HTNS has just learned of a plan by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth to demolish the steeple of St. Patrick’s Catholic church on Brunswick Street in Halifax by the end of June 2024.

HTNS is joining others in calling on the HRM council to create a plan for use of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) money in a way that will be based on creating affordable housing, preserving heritage, strong infrastructure development and planning principles. Join us in demanding change!

HTNS issues statement supporting the preservation of St. Patrick’s Church in the North End of Halifax.

As Nova Scotia’s representatives in Parliament, representing a place known nationally and internationally for its rich culture and heritage, your leadership in ensuring this bill is passed is critical! Please help ensure that Nova Scotia’s nationally historic places are given the protection they need

We the undersigned call on the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the Government of Canada to immediately pause current negotiations around HRM’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) application and embark on the development of a better plan for meeting the pressing need for housing in HRM.

Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia Public Forum on the Halifax Regional Municipality’s plan for the Housing Accelerator Fund attracted an enthusiastic audience of over 120 people to hear how it threatens built heritage and fails to address the problems that it has been stated as solving.

New board members sought. Deadline to submit a letter of interest is May 6, 2024.

HTNS urges council to take a stand against the demolition of this example of a late-Victorian worker’s cottage. The building is critical to understanding the story of Holy Cross Cemetery and the lives of lay people who worked for religious institutions during the 19th and early 20h century.

HTNS asks HRM council to engage in more public consultation regarding their Housing Accelerator Fund plan and seriously consider how it will promote demolition of heritage buildings and through that reduce available affordable housing, harm the environment and negatively impact tourism.

HTNS believes residents need more time to respond to the HRM’s Accelerator Program Proposals. These proposals are arguably the second largest revision to municipal planning policy after the Centre Plan itself and the public needs time and opportunity to review them and respond. Everyone in HRM deserves a voice in how our city will evolve and change to meet the needs of a growing population.

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia has sent a letter to Mayor Michael Savage and Members of Council regarding our strong belief that the municipality should appeal the ruling in Dalhousie v. HRM regarding 1245 Edward Street. This Decision strikes a blow against all third-party heritage registrations in Nova Scotia and will jeopardize the protection of heritage assets across the province.

Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is very concerned at the precedent set by the November 21, 2023, Decision of Justice Rosinski regarding the third-party heritage designation for 1245 Edward Street. It has the potential to have province wide implications that could put built heritage at risk.

HTNS asks why when we have many dozens of people facing the prospect of spending the winter living in tents have heritage buildings like the former Bloomfield School, St. Patrick’s School and the Halifax Memorial Library been allowed to sit empty?

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is extremely disappointed the Provincial Court in Kentville did not take the opportunity to provide a strong message to deter illegal demolition of registered heritage properties when it rendered its judgment against the developer who demolished a provincially registered heritage property without permission.

The Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia is adding its voice to the many well-informed and concerned parties who have spoken out against Bill 329. This proposed bill threatens to undercut heritage protection in the HRM.

On May 25 2023 an Op-Ed written by HTNS was published on the SaltWire Network stating that we believe HRM failed to adequately protect the important heritage resources that the Centre Plan itself noted existed in the Robie-Cunard corridor.