Halifax regional council has voted to create a bylaw that will prevent Dartmouth Cove from being infilled by private land owners.
Members of the public joined a Halifax regional council meeting on October 7, 2025, to voice their concerns about infilling in Dartmouth Cove.
“I feel strongly that Dartmouth Cove should remain as is,” said Jean Laroche, former CBC reporter and local resident. “I don’t see any benefit to dumping tons and tons of slate into it.”
Laroche said he felt a duty to speak up about this issue now that he has retired.
“As a journalist, you observe, you keep your mouth shut and you do your job, and that’s not the role of a citizen,” said Laroche. “I feel strongly that, now that I am able to speak, that I should probably talk about things I care about, and this is one of the things I care about.”
Laroche was joined by over thirty community members of all ages who spoke at the public hearing.
The majority of speakers spoke about the importance of protecting Dartmouth Cove for personal and environmental reasons. People spoke about using the trail in the area for recreation, transportation, and mental health.
Some speakers were not in favour of the bylaw, such as proprietor Tom Hickey. During the hearing, Hickey said he wanted to work with the community to find a reasonable solution.
“We’re not terrible people. I promise you we’re not,” Hickey said during his speech, turning to the crowd.
Vocal opposition from the group could be heard in response to this remark.
Sam Austin is the councillor for District 5, Dartmouth Centre, which includes Dartmouth Cove. Austin put forward the motion to protect the cove following negative public response to infilling.
“Based on everything that I’ve heard over the last number of years from multiple sides of this debate, this is what I believe is truly the best thing for downtown Dartmouth,” said Austin.
Austin said that while planning continues for downtown Dartmouth’s waterfront, there needs to be a shared community vision for Dartmouth Cove before any development takes place.
The council voted 12-3 in favour of the bylaw. Mayor Andy Fillmore and Conc. David Hendsbee voted against, citing concerns of creating a bylaw that goes outside municipal jurisdiction. Conc. John Young also voted against the bylaw.
The province has 15 days to bring the matter to the Municipal Affairs Minister, who then has 30 days to approve, refuse, or ask for alterations to the bylaw.