HRM housing task force lacks transparency but has over-reaching authority, councillor says
The housing task force struck for Halifax Regional Municipality has at least one regional councillor concerned about its wide-ranging authority and the secrecy with which it will conduct its business.
“It’s worrisome,” said Sam Austin, who represents Dartmouth Centre on Halifax council.
“The part that I find concerning is the fact that it will be done behind closed doors. Our HRM planning process is an open and public one. If we want to change a plan, there is a process for that. The arguing, the debate happens in public. None of this (task force) appears to be public.”
The five-member unelected joint task force was introduced last week by Premier Tim Houston and Geoff MacLellan, the task force chairman and a former Liberal housing minister. … [Read More]