Hartlen Point residents push for renewed, independent impact assessment of DND site

ENVIRONMENT

Hartlen Point residents push for renewed, independent impact assessment of DND site

How much heed will federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault pay to concerns about the potential impacts of a 93,000-square-metre military testing site in Hartlen Point? That’s the question a group of Haligonians and 20,000 petitioners are waiting to have answered before July 8, 2023.

The conservation group behind Protect Hartlen Point—a collective of Eastern Passage residents, environmentalists, birders, surfers and lobster fishers concerned about the Department of National Defence’s plans to build a $129-million land-based warship testing site on one of Canada’s most biodiverse bird habitats—is hoping to catch the minister’s interest enough to spark a second look at the DND project’s environmental footprint. They’ve filed a request with Guilbeault’s office in hopes of triggering a complete environmental impact assessment of the military’s plans for the site—one which would take into account the DND’s growing project footprint, along with what they argue is previously neglected research about the effects of radio frequencies on birds and the added wildfire risk that comes with draining wetlands.

Read more on Hartlen Point at The Coast. 

Need to know

🌲 Arctic/Amazon: Networks of Global Indigeneity is now on view at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Experience works by 17 Indigenous artists from around the world.*

👶 Starting this month, the Nova Scotia Child Benefit is being increased for families with a yearly income lower than $34,000.

💵 Applications for the Property Tax Rebate for Seniors are now open. Seniors can receive up to $800 to help with property tax payments.

🦠 Middle Sackville’s Springfield Lake has been closed due to the discovery of blue-green algae.

🖌️ Halifax Mural Festival is back! Talented artists will call Halifax their canvas this July. Visit HalifaxMuralFestival.ca for the latest updates on events, murals, and artists.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY QUINPOOL ROAD

Murals and more on Quinpool Road

Join Quinpool Road for the Big Reveal Day as part of the Halifax Mural Festival on Saturday, July 8, 11am-3pm—a day of fun for the whole family.

The artists will have most of the murals complete and to celebrate, there will be activities up and down Quinpool Road creating an amazing, vibrant atmosphere on the street. Current programming includes sidewalk sales, live music, art activities, kids’ performers, magicians, face painting, live sketching, back-door-takeout, and more!

Be sure to drop by and enjoy the fun on Quinpool Road... The most cosmopolitan street in Halifax!

On The Coast

SPONSORED BY NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS GAMES

Counting the days to NAIG 2023!

This month, the largest multi-sport event in Atlantic Canada’s history comes to Kjipuktuk! From July 15-23, over 5,000 participants will arrive to compete in 16 sporting competitions in venues throughout the HRM, Millbrook First Nation and Sipekne'katik. Lacrosse, basketball, soccer, volleyball and more - all sporting events are open to the public and we’re saving you a seat!

Learn more at www.naig2023.com.

In other news

🌊 A new Dalhousie study looks at the rising levels of chloride, arsenic and aluminum in Halifax lakes and why we should be concerned.

🏒 The 2023 NHL draft happened last week and Antigonish’s Tyler Peddle was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Peddle spoke to CBC about what that moment felt like.

⛴ Just one day after ferry service between NS and PEI resumed, it was cancelled. CBC has the story.

💃 Highland dancers from Canada, the U.S., Scotland, Australia and Northern Ireland will be in Halifax this week for the 2023 ScotDance Canada Championship Series.

🚢 The HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Summerside left the Halifax harbour yesterday to join NATO’s Baltic mission.

🗣 Atlantic Canada has launched a Fight the Federal Gas Hike campaign asking Ottawa to reconsider the new regulations.

WONDER WORLD

Meet the Halifax author writing about queer joy

At first blush, it’d be easy to see K.R. Byggdin’s Wonder World as lifted-from-life, the sort of roman à clef that many debut authors write to make a splash: Like their protagonist, Isaac Funk, Byggdin relocated from small-town Manitoba to Halifax in search of queer community, and like Funk, Byggdin is part of the city’s creative scene. But Byggdin is quick to set the record straight, saying that their 2023 Atlantic Book Award-winning work is “definitely a novel, not a memoir.”

Read more on Byggdin and their novel Wonder World at The Coast.

Sure things

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

🗓 Market and Artist Talk: Hear from the artists behind the murals being created at this year’s Halifax Mural Festival and shop from the fest’s market at the Oxford Taproom | July 6 | 6pm-10pm | Free admission.

🗓 Halifax Lancers Public Hands-On Workshops: Interested in learning to work with horses? The Halifax Lancers are holding hands-on workshops this summer for anyone 7 and up | July 6 - August 3 | $25-$30.

Join Ann and James and become a Coast Insider to unlock additional event listings, local deals, shop talk news and more.

🗓 Wanderlust: Hear The Bedford Brass Quintet perform its summer concert Wanderlust featuring songs from around the world | July 7 | 7:30pm | $20.

🗓 Dave Sampson and His Band: Gather your friends and head to the Shore Club this Friday to hear Dave Sampson and His Band | July 7 | 9:30pm | $32.51.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings

Shop talk

🥳 King of Donair celebrated its 50th anniversary this July 1!

🍺 Propeller Bedford opened its doors to retail and drive-thru this weekend. Stay tuned to its socials for info on when The Taproom will be opening.

☕️ Uncommon Grounds has re-opened at the Public Gardens after a suspicious fire broke out at the establishment back in April.

Eat this

🍽 Edna Restaurant has introduced seared scallops to its menu. Apart from the scallops the dish is also served with herbed pearl couscous, asparagus, lardon, crispy kale, miso beurre blanc and smoked paprika oil.

Save the date

🐠 Back to the Sea Centre, a new marine education centre at 2 Ochterloney Street in Dartmouth, is having its soft opening on July 8.