Whalen to Introduce Bill to Enhance Government Transparency

Diana Whalen, MLA for Halifax-Clayton Park, outlined plans to introduce legislation to improve government transparency and to enhance public engagement.

"My bill will ensure that the public are given the facts and allowed to comment when their money is being spent by the provincial government," Whalen said.

Whalen’s bill require the provincial government hold a public meeting when investing in a community project or facility. Any provincial commitment of money above $250,000, even if the project is municipally led, would require the government to disclose details and accept feedback on the proposed expenditure. The bill is intended to ensure that the lack of public engagement that has characterized the Mainland Common Recreation Centre will not be allowed in future projects.

Despite both the municipality and province agreeing to funding amounts for the Mainland Common project, neither will unveil their building plans nor agree to hold a public meeting.

HRM has stated that the Mainland Common Recreation Centre is to be a state of the art, multi-dimensional recreation facility to serve the needs of the growing Halifax West area for the next 30 years. Its catchment area includes 200,000 people, almost 25% of the population of Nova Scotia, who live within a 20 minute drive of the site. HRM has revealed that the project will include a field house and aquatic component, but no further details have been released.

No public meetings have been held on the project since 2005. The community is holding a rally and March on Saturday, May 24 at 11 am to call on HRM to host a public meeting.