3 candidates in Preston riding united in opposition to proposed waste facility

Provincial candidates running to represent the Halifax riding with a proposed waste facility have a united message — they will oppose the controversial project if elected.

Kiann Management Ltd. has been pushing to build a construction and demolition processing facility in a residential area between Lake Echo and Porters Lake on Highway 7 for nearly a decade.

A recent Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision has reopened the issue after overturning a municipal rejection of the facility's plan.

The race for the provincial Preston seat, where some of the site falls, is a faceoff against the same three candidates in last summer's byelection. 

Twila Grosse of the PC Party was elected, with Colter Simmonds for the NDP coming second and Liberal Carlo Simmons third.

At the time, the proposed facility became a political drama when Elections Nova Scotia told Simmons to take down his campaign signs stating that Tim Houston's PC government had done "nothing" to stop the facility. But a judge ruled in June that the province's chief electoral officer had no authority to make that order.

Simmons said he doesn't need to use the signs again this campaign because residents know where he stands.

"I'll fight against it," he said Friday. "Whatever it takes to … stand up for the constituents, that's what I want to do.

"Do I know all of the answers to how we're going to do that yet? No, I don't. But we'll definitely work towards helping the constituents get what they want in the area."

Neighbours have said they're worried about heavy truck traffic, loud noise and dust, and environmental impacts if the facility moves ahead.

Grosse, the PC candidate, said she's opposed to the proposed waste facility's location in a residential area and would rather see it in an industrial park.

But Grosse said there's not much the provincial government can do ahead of time before the facility finishes the municipal process.

"No application has come into the province of Nova Scotia, and I've expressed my opposition of this project to our Minister of Environment and Climate Change and will continue to do so," Grosse said Friday.

When asked about a Halifax councillor's call for the province to do more, like buy Kiann's land, or offer a land swap that would put the facility in an industrial area, Grosse said she wouldn't comment because "it's still in the approval process stage."

A statement from Simmonds, the NDP candidate, said he would also "stand up" because the residents have been clear they have serious concerns.

"We are disappointed in the recent court decision and will continue to fight for Lake Echo residents," he said. "My NDP colleagues and I will listen to community needs and protect the environment in their backyards."

The facility's site plan will go to Halifax council for a final vote at a later date. Kiann will still need other approvals from the city and province even if the site plan is approved.

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