Ex-Liberal cabinet minister to lead task force on Halifax affordable housing shortage

The task force is part of a broader plan announced last month to increase Nova Scotia’s affordable housing stock

CITYnews \ Canadian Press

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HALIFAX — Former Liberal cabinet minister Geoff MacLellan has been tapped to head the new provincial task force that will address housing shortages in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The task force is part of a broader plan announced last month by the Progressive Conservative government to increase Nova Scotia’s affordable housing stock.

MacLellan held several portfolios under the previous Liberal government and was minister of infrastructure and housing before deciding not to run in last summer’s provincial election.

Premier Tim Houston said today the task force will look for ways the government can more quickly approve residential housing projects in the region.

Other panel members include Kelly Denty, Halifax’s executive director of planning and development; Peter Duncan, the city’s director of infrastructure planning; Stephen MacIsaac, CEO of Nova Scotia Lands; and Paul LaFleche, deputy minister for municipal affairs and housing.

The panel’s first meeting is to be held next month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2021.

The Canadian Press