• Stratford, P.E.I., nearing 'end of the road' on town’s growth blueprint, planning chair says

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-30 09:00:00.0
  Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Municipal, Housing, Infrastructure, Governance]

  The Town of Stratford, P.E.I., is finalizing a new official plan and zoning and development bylaw intended to guide managed growth, with council planning to review the draft for first reading in September and adoption prior to the November municipal elections. The updated blueprint designates the major highway splitting the town as a mixed-use commercial and residential corridor while introducing 'gentle density' frameworks, such as pre-approved architectural plans for townhomes and multi-unit dwellings, to streamline development approvals. Additionally, the planning committee addressed a separate subdivision application from Flourish Development Group proposing 287 housing units off Kinlock Road, noting that the project lacks approval and requires revision following committee concerns regarding modular home concepts.

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• N.S. government changes income assistance rules to exclude people living in tents

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-08-27 12:01:07.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Housing, Social Services, Affordability, Governance]

  The Nova Scotia provincial government, acting on the recommendation of Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, introduced regulatory changes via an order-in-council to exclude unhoused individuals living in tents from receiving enhanced income assistance rates. The regulatory amendments replace the term "accommodation" with "lives in a home" and narrow the definition of "home" to self-employed units, rented spaces, lodging houses, or single-occupancy rooms. This policy change directly overturns an August 5, 2026 Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruling in favour of the late Bradley Lowe, which had established that individuals living in tents were eligible for enhanced disability and income support. Human rights lawyer Vince Calderhead criticized the policy as forcing vulnerable individuals deeper into poverty, while the department stated the changes provide clearer administrative direction.

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