How to fix Nova Scotia's property tax cap

THE GRAND PARADE PODCAST

Nova Scotia’s property tax cap is subsidizing millionaires and landlords. Here’s how to fix it.

Take heed of the old phrase, “Be careful what you wish for.” Back in 2005, when Nova Scotia introduced its Capped Assessment Program, the stated goal was to keep seniors and families in their homes that might otherwise have been priced out. The solution of the day was to limit property tax increases to no more than the annual inflation rate. It sounds considerate—and indeed, it worked. But then the price of homes in Halifax rocketed to the moon, and nothing has ever been the same.

On this week’s Grand Parade podcast, writer Deny Sullivan joins Coast reporters Matt Stickland and Martin Bauman to discuss the unintended consequences of the cap—namely, how it has led to some mansions being under-taxed by $3 million, and how it has also shielded investment property owners with multiple homes from paying more for their additional assets. Sullivan proposes what he describes as “The Perfect Tax Hike”: A way to return $100 million to the HRM annually.

Listen to the full podcast episode on The Coast.

Need to know

⛺️ Halifax shelter providers are taking issue with a provincial cabinet minister’s recent comments about unhoused people camping in tents as a summer “outlet.”

🔌 Premier Tim Houston says he’s ready for an “adult discussion” with Canada’s infrastructure minister about protecting the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border from environmental threat.

⚖️ A former RCMP officer testified to Nova Scotia’s police review board that he was ordered to stop investigating an alleged rape in Halifax because his bosses thought the woman seeking help was lying.

🏀 The North American Indigenous Games are officially underway in Halifax/Kjipuktuk. Here’s everything you need to know.

☀️ Reignite your love for the Halifax Waterfront. Find out everything happening this summer on the waterfront!*

🎭 Still time to get your tickets for FODAR 2023 MainStage shows at King’s Theatre. Two different programs including a World Premiere run July 20- 22.*

💃 You can't miss Let's Dance! The Musical coming to Neptune Theatre July 27-30! Audiences are raving about this sweet, summer musical. Get your tickets now.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES 2023

NAIG 2023 Cultural Village

From now until July 22, experience the NAIG 2023 Cultural Village at the Halifax Common. The Cultural Village is open to the public and features a marketplace with over 50 artisans, a wealth of daily cultural demonstrations and more than 40 performances on the Main Stage, including the NAIG 2023 Closing Ceremony on July 21!

View the daily schedules today to plan your visit.

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY URBAN CAPITAL

From something old comes something new

To one of Halifax’s oldest streets comes a residential development that tips its hat to everything, past and future, about its storied neighbourhood.

Introducing Navy Lane, on the historic and eclectic Gottingen Street. Being the fourth of Urban Capital’s residential condominiums in Halifax, all of which fit into their neighbourhoods through design and intent to become part of the broader community.

Visit NavyLaneCondos.com to find out more here.

In other news

🐟 Disputes over lucrative fishing rights in Nova Scotia have led to threats, kidnappings and gun violence in recent years—all over a species about the size of a toothpick.

🛒 Dartmouth bulk grocer The Tare Shop is closing its doors after what it describes as “3+ years of struggling to operate through a global pandemic, recession, consumer changes, and supply chain issues.” Read The Coast’s story on the challenges Halifax’s small businesses are facing amid inflation.

🎬 What does Hollywood’s actor strike mean for Halifax’s film industry? Some local productions will be unaffected, insiders tell CTV News, but others could grind to a halt.

🚍 If you’re curious about how Halifax’s transit system came to be—and what happened to the electric trolleys—this open-source guide offers a handy primer.

🍦 Ever wondered how the Moon Mist ice cream flavour got its start in Nova Scotia? Canadian Press reporter Brett Bundale got the scoop.

MUSIC

These 8 Halifax musicians are here to power your summer playlist

From powering road trips to setting the atmosphere on the back deck, playlists are fuel for summer’s sunshine-y days. The right song in the right moment is what takes a moment and turns it into a memory, Coast arts and entertainment editor Morgan Mullin writes.

From folky albums to hip hop singles, The Coast is here to help you build the ultimate summer 2023 playlist featuring some of the city’s brightest offerings:

• Jenn Grant’s new record, Champagne Problems, which is now commemorated in a mural on the wall of Edna restaurant;

• “On God,” the first single from Halifax activist-slash-rapper Masuma Khan (AKA General Khan);

• A new four-track EP from Halifax band Horsebath that blends country and Americana

Freshen up your summer playlist with the rest of Mullin’s picks.

Sure things

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Catch a screening of In Full Voice: Filmmaker Saïda Ouchaou-Ozarowski sits down with six Muslim Canadian women to talk about what shapes their identities. | July 17 | 10am-11am | Free

🗓 Explore Southdale’s Community Art Market: Browse the works of local artists at the Southdale Neighbours Community Garden (50 Rodney Road) every Monday until the end of August. | July 17 | 4pm-8pm | Free

🗓 Co-Adorn’s annual art jewellery exhibition returns: The new exhibition at Studio 21 Fine Art “explores ideas including confines, rules, gifts, surprises, blank slate, memories, secrets, security and relocation.” | July 18-22 | 12pm-5pm | Free

🗓 Wannabe: The Return of the Spice Girls: Stop right now and check out the new Spice Girls tribute performance at the Neptune Theatre—a show that sold out in 2019. | July 21-22 | $39.80-$75.90

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings.

Eat this

🍦 Sesame, meet soft-serve: Halifax summer hotspot Dairy Bar (1489 South Park Street) has a new ice cream flavour it calls “black sesame.”

🍲 Try a katsu bowl at Side Hustle: The Dartmouth eatery serves a panko-fried pork bowl with seasoned rice, kewpie mayo, green onions, nori and pickled ginger.

🥙 Feed your inner gourmand at Nova Multifest: The three-day festival kicks off Friday, July 21 at Alderney Landing and offers delicacies from around the world.