Deny Sullivan
@denysullivan.bsky.social
I make charts. Blogs @ deny.substack.com
Halifax
Halifax
The best reason for tolled express lanes (HOTs or managed lanes) is that the price can manage demand, keeping the lanes flowing ~properly, which maximizes *flow and speed*. Of course you also collect money, which could be used to fund alternatives like more buses or bike lanes, or more car lanes
February 9, 2026 at 1:17 PM
The best reason for tolled express lanes (HOTs or managed lanes) is that the price can manage demand, keeping the lanes flowing ~properly, which maximizes *flow and speed*. Of course you also collect money, which could be used to fund alternatives like more buses or bike lanes, or more car lanes
Who is the villain in this story? Is it Nova Scotia Power? I don't think so. As a rate-base utility, maintenance investment is very profitable for them, to them point that we could worry about "gold-plating".
Rather, I think the villain is us. We aren't willing to pay for reliability.
Rather, I think the villain is us. We aren't willing to pay for reliability.
February 6, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Who is the villain in this story? Is it Nova Scotia Power? I don't think so. As a rate-base utility, maintenance investment is very profitable for them, to them point that we could worry about "gold-plating".
Rather, I think the villain is us. We aren't willing to pay for reliability.
Rather, I think the villain is us. We aren't willing to pay for reliability.
Best thing Tim Houston did was freeze development fees. This council would be devouring the young right now
Cuttell: we need development fees because I don't think the people who live in a neighborhood should pay for the infrastructure.
February 5, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Best thing Tim Houston did was freeze development fees. This council would be devouring the young right now
Incredibly generous frame for a petition organized by the lobby group for big landlords. They do their part without the CAP but Jesus can we add another view
Do we need to start our own petition against austeritying Halifax to death? (yes, I know that’s not a word)
New campaign seeks to stop proposed Halifax property tax hike
A new campaign seeks to stop Halifax’s proposed 10.9 per cent property tax hike as council continues its budget deliberations.
www.ctvnews.ca
February 5, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Incredibly generous frame for a petition organized by the lobby group for big landlords. They do their part without the CAP but Jesus can we add another view
LOL
Here's Doug Ford's surprising voicemail message to a public servant who expressed concerns about the Ontario government's return to the office policy:
“You don’t like it, go get another job”
pressprogress.ca/public-serva...
“You don’t like it, go get another job”
pressprogress.ca/public-serva...
February 5, 2026 at 3:32 PM
LOL
This is a CAP story too. New developments are gonna give you a good lift when the typical home has a taxable assessment of $200k
How 3 small Nova Scotia towns improved their finances
Good story by Haley Ryan at CBC
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Good story by Haley Ryan at CBC
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
How 3 small Nova Scotia towns improved their finances | CBC News
Three mayors in Nova Scotia say a focus on development, pooling resources, population growth and finding new revenue streams has helped move their towns into the low-risk category for fiscal instabili...
www.cbc.ca
February 5, 2026 at 3:12 PM
This is a CAP story too. New developments are gonna give you a good lift when the typical home has a taxable assessment of $200k
Big cities caucus and the @fcm.ca is an extortion cartel in service of keeping property taxes low. That is the goal. Not housing. Not transit. Not better cities.
February 5, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Big cities caucus and the @fcm.ca is an extortion cartel in service of keeping property taxes low. That is the goal. Not housing. Not transit. Not better cities.
Bus lanes? What bus lanes?
February 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Bus lanes? What bus lanes?
Anglo Canadians can't take their eyes off the U.S. to learn from Quebec
What are your favourite Canadian subplots?
Rarely take centre stage in an episode, but often burbling along in the background.
My favourite Canadian subplot is the people of Ottawa vs their city's public transit system.
Rarely take centre stage in an episode, but often burbling along in the background.
My favourite Canadian subplot is the people of Ottawa vs their city's public transit system.
February 4, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Anglo Canadians can't take their eyes off the U.S. to learn from Quebec
You’re welcome (without forgiving current Fillmore council)
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
You’re welcome (without forgiving current Fillmore council)
Reposted by Deny Sullivan
Someone on CBC just mentioned that there might be up to a ten percent increase in municipal taxes and questioned if it was worth it.
I'm a suburban homeowner.
For me, we're talking about an increase of $12 a month.
Just let me PAY. Hell, let me pay twice that.
Give me my municipal services!
I'm a suburban homeowner.
For me, we're talking about an increase of $12 a month.
Just let me PAY. Hell, let me pay twice that.
Give me my municipal services!
February 4, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Someone on CBC just mentioned that there might be up to a ten percent increase in municipal taxes and questioned if it was worth it.
I'm a suburban homeowner.
For me, we're talking about an increase of $12 a month.
Just let me PAY. Hell, let me pay twice that.
Give me my municipal services!
I'm a suburban homeowner.
For me, we're talking about an increase of $12 a month.
Just let me PAY. Hell, let me pay twice that.
Give me my municipal services!
The biggest villains in Canadian housing, and its not close
"Maybe the city's full" says the man living in a 2.7 million dollar house on Palmerston, while sipping $170 scotch after defeating a multiplex proposal across the street.
www.pressreader.com/canada/toron...
www.pressreader.com/canada/toron...
February 3, 2026 at 11:17 PM
The biggest villains in Canadian housing, and its not close
Such a weak argument, and one that doesn’t hold well in Nova Scotia, where the post-2015 growth surge killed off housing affordability in a very straightforward way. Cc: @csaulnier.bsky.social
Pieces like cause the left to lose young people. It fails to recognize:
1. Housing needs change as populations age. e.g. A society with a lot of older widowers will need more homes per capita.
2. Shoebox condos house fewer people than larger homes.
1. Housing needs change as populations age. e.g. A society with a lot of older widowers will need more homes per capita.
2. Shoebox condos house fewer people than larger homes.
The numbers don’t lie: The housing crisis is not caused by a supply shortage - CCPA
Financialization, not demographics, caused the cost of housing to explode
www.policyalternatives.ca
February 3, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Such a weak argument, and one that doesn’t hold well in Nova Scotia, where the post-2015 growth surge killed off housing affordability in a very straightforward way. Cc: @csaulnier.bsky.social
FWIW, U.S. states are moving away from carpool lanes. They aren't an effective filter. The trend is towards express lanes (sometimes with an HOV exemption)
Carpool lanes coming to Halifax in a matter of months
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
Carpool lanes coming to Halifax in a matter of months
Nova Scotia’s public works minister says coordinated traffic lights are also in the works
www.saltwire.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:33 PM
FWIW, U.S. states are moving away from carpool lanes. They aren't an effective filter. The trend is towards express lanes (sometimes with an HOV exemption)
I regret to inform you that the provincial response to rising congestion is "maybe later" and "look at this model I bought"
February 3, 2026 at 6:05 PM
I regret to inform you that the provincial response to rising congestion is "maybe later" and "look at this model I bought"
Another piece that implies far more government control of people and businesses than we have. Prices are the signal that we have
Opinion: Buildings brightly lit during Nova Scotia's high-demand energy times www.saltwire.com/nova-scotia/...
Opinion: Buildings brightly lit during Nova Scotia's high-demand energy times
I cannot get over all the buildings that have all their lights on, and the buildings are empty and heated as if they are in use, writes Michael Hackett.
www.saltwire.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Another piece that implies far more government control of people and businesses than we have. Prices are the signal that we have
Luncheon on traffic
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Luncheon on traffic
$570k price cap in HRM is very binding imo
New First-Time Homebuyers Program Reduces Minimum Down Payment news.novascotia.ca/en/2026/02/0...
New First-Time Homebuyers Program Reduces Minimum Down Payment
news.novascotia.ca
February 3, 2026 at 2:56 PM
$570k price cap in HRM is very binding imo
How does Mike Savage feel about this from Fillmore? Does the former mayor feel like he squandered Halifax’s opportunity for modern, sustainable recreation?
February 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
How does Mike Savage feel about this from Fillmore? Does the former mayor feel like he squandered Halifax’s opportunity for modern, sustainable recreation?
Bedford fast ferry? We can’t even keep our existing ferries running!
Alderney Ferry service is running on a 30 min schedule until further notice, due to maintenance. Ferries will depart Alderney at XX:00 & XX:30. Ferries will depart Halifax at xx:15 & xx:45. Woodside Ferry service is not impacted at this time. Shuttles will be provided.
January 29, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Bedford fast ferry? We can’t even keep our existing ferries running!
Prices aren’t just “taxes”, but signals of scarcity. You can zero out the price, but it doesn’t fix the scarcity (often making it worse for everyone)
My family has run into this issue, both in Bridgewater and HRM. It means you always have to have an extra person at the appointment to do drop-off and then circle looking for parking.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Free parking and construction at Bridgewater hospital creating headaches for patients | CBC News
Some patients and visitors at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, N.S., say the lack of parking at the facility is causing them extra stress in already difficult times. One family is going s...
www.cbc.ca
January 29, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Prices aren’t just “taxes”, but signals of scarcity. You can zero out the price, but it doesn’t fix the scarcity (often making it worse for everyone)
