Halifax Population & Growth

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by GTG_78

Despite our population increase, the tax base has not appreciably improved. Our nominal GDP per capita is the lowest in Canada. The population explosion is disguising what is ultimately an incredibly anemic economy.

So whatever HRM wants to build, it will have to do so on a very tight budget.

Exactly! True at a national, provincial, and urban level. Government officials love to brag about GDP... only the most naive person would consider such a number in isolation.

We are NOT some kind of economic powerhouse, regardless of the huge growth in minimum wage jobs etc.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by kzt79

Check out purchasing power parity. They're significantly ahead and the gap is only widening. Yes, everyone will incur health costs but ours are built into our much heavier taxes. What we get for those high taxes is open to debate. Very few people in the US are actually getting hit with huge bills, the vast majority have coverage through work or otherwise.

I would agree most Americans are mostly happy with their employee sponsored Healthcare but having conversations with Americans about the subject always veers.You eventually talk about the Heath care companies but not Americans healthcare.

I was in Chicago pre Covid at Weber grill meetings and suddenly found myself hosting three American Business partners at Dinner and the guys asked me how the death panels worked in Canada. WTF are you guys talking about I asked.You know the panels that decide to withhold care and let people die. Whoa I said , that IS NOT how Canada works. I then proceeded to try and educate the Canadian experience using stories my Brother experienced while he was practicing at MASS General. For seven years. My Brother left Boston decades ago and now practices in Halifax. They could only look at Canadian health care through an insurance claim lens.

I finally asked them if they knew anyone in their Family, co workers or customer base that has lost their homes due to Medical bills. All three of the guys of varying ages knew at least three. I then mentioned that Canada had 28 of us at these meetings from all across Canada and NONE of us knew anyone that had lost a house. So I then asked them if they would wait three months or more for a new knee or Hip to never know anyone who lost their house.Ahhh they said, now we know the difference . Yup.

[Drybrain]

There are 26 million Americans without any health insurance, and many tens of millions more with insurance that is limited to varying degrees. I’m not opposed to private sector health providers operating within a public syste, but the American system as it is produces abysmal population-level health outcomes (for an industrialized first-world nation), and ironically costs taxpayers more on a per-capita basis than our system. It is an objectively inferior system.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Drybrain

There are 26 million Americans without any health insurance, and many tens of millions more with insurance that is limited to varying degrees. I’m not opposed to private sector health providers operating within a public syste, but the American system as it is produces abysmal population-level health outcomes (for an industrialized first-world nation), and ironically costs taxpayers more on a per-capita basis than our system. It is an objectively inferior system.

That 26 Million without Health Insurance is true but they DO have access to health care. Boston Civic hospital will accept folks without Insurance and a good part of the Hospitals administration horsepower is used to navigate Government, and charitable sources of Income to keep the place running. Boston City budget also helps. The Shriners also has a fully charitable Hospital in the City as well. If you have come from a third World Country the access to those facilities is far better than home Country access.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

That 26 Million without Health Insurance is true but they DO have access to health care. Boston Civic hospital will accept folks without Insurance and a good part of the Hospitals administration horsepower is used to navigate Government, and charitable sources of Income to keep the place running. Boston City budget also helps. The Shriners also has a fully charitable Hospital in the City as well. If you have come from a third World Country the access to those facilities is far better than home Country access.

Of course, but “better than the third world” is pretty faint praise. And if you have a chronic condition in need of treatment or medication, or some kind of major surgery not covered by your insurance? It’s certainly not an optimal setup.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

That 26 Million without Health Insurance is true but they DO have access to health care. Boston Civic hospital will accept folks without Insurance and a good part of the Hospitals administration horsepower is used to navigate Government, and charitable sources of Income to keep the place running. Boston City budget also helps. The Shriners also has a fully charitable Hospital in the City as well. If you have come from a third World Country the access to those facilities is far better than home Country access.

This is true but note how they still need to build in these essentially public backstops. Apparently most of the healthcare expenses in the USA are paid for by the government while private insurers collect disproportionately big bucks while paying out comparatively little. It is not a good system and it's not really private or a free market.

While Canada has its problems, US healthcare to me is one of a number of major drawbacks to the whole 51st state debate.

[kzt79]

Originally Posted by someone123

This is true but note how they still need to build in these essentially public backstops. Apparently most of the healthcare expenses in the USA are paid for by the government while private insurers collect disproportionately big bucks while paying out comparatively little. It is not a good system and it's not really private or a free market.

While Canada has its problems, US healthcare to me is one of a number of major drawbacks to the whole 51st state debate.

The US grossly overspends on healthcare per citizen. Probably 50% or more of their costs are siphoned off to insurance middlemen etc. Even so, I would suggest most US citizens have far better access to equal or better care than most Canadians. Obviously if you're truly poor (say bottom 10%), Canada is the place to be. Otherwise... it's not so clear cut.

[OldDartmouthMark]

As the recent famous US murder of a healthcare insurance CEO, and the resultant support for the killer from the public indicates, there are major holes in the private healthcare system there, just bubbling below the surface. You probably don’t have to look very hard to find people who thought they were covered for a particular health crisis who found out they weren’t, after the fact.

While neither system is perfect (far from in many instances), I would take ours over theirs any day of the week.

[LikesBikes]

If you think US healthcare is bad now imagine how messed it will be after the cheeto dictator's reign ends...

[Dmajackson]

Halifax Budget documents are out; Operations Business Units (large file)

Way down in the Planning & Development section is a lot of information that this forum will find interesting.

- 14.7% population growth since 2019
- Population Forecasts for 2050; 734-977'000 as the likely range. This is roughly the current size of Hamilton to Winnipeg range.
- $2.05B of construction in 2024
- Over 6'000 residential units approved in 2024
- 3'100 units started construction in 2024
- 80% of units issued are medium to high density
- 47% of units issued are in Regional Centre, 36% Suburban, 17% Rural.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

- 80% of units issued are medium to high density
- 47% of units issued are in Regional Centre, 36% Suburban, 17% Rural.

I know that this is an urban development forum and I prefer urban development but I hope Halifax manages to keep costs down and approve a variety of development for people with different preferences.

The ability to offer an affordable suburban or rural lifestyle near a city in an appealing environment is a huge selling feature of Halifax. It's no longer available in Ontario or BC, and most of Canada has an extreme climate or other issues.

People often bring up environmental concerns but Halifax is a relatively good metro area to grow. If the development doesn't go there it will likely go somewhere else.

[OldDartmouthMark]

[Arrdeeharharharbour]

How Halifax Could Become a Navy Boom Town Again is a story headline in AllNS today. Mentioned is 14,500 in recruitment, heavy icebreakers, subs, air and water drones, etc.. Obviously all of this would not be directed to Halifax, but much would. I suspect a slow down in building won't be allowed to happen.

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

How Halifax Could Become a Navy Boom Town Again is a story headline in AllNS today. Mentioned is 14,500 in recruitment, heavy icebreakers, subs, air and water drones, etc.. Obviously all of this would not be directed to Halifax, but much would. I suspect a slow down in building won't be allowed to happen.

I would Imagine the Federal Liberals thank their lucky stars that the Shipbuilding program was well under way as they have a tendency to look for cans to kick down the road regarding defence. Heck even the NDP agree on the 15 River Class destroyers.

There is chatter that the RCN may have to order very well armed Corvettes to buttress the aged Halifax Class Frigates and provide a more robust Kingston class replacement.Along with stated Submarine plans our South Korean friends just might be serious suppliers to Canada's future Naval Power

Irving will be receiving some serious guidance from Scottish employees of the The Royal Navy's Type 26 Destroyers under construction in Glasgow.Our River Class is a direct derivative of the Type 26.They have Four of theirs well under way with two in the water.

I remember Darrel Dexter remarking at the 2011 NSS announcement that Halifax had 12 Constructions cranes above the City and no doubt the NSS would increase that. By 2014 there were 24 and about 40 now.Long over due.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Arrdeeharharharbour

How Halifax Could Become a Navy Boom Town Again is a story headline in AllNS today. Mentioned is 14,500 in recruitment, heavy icebreakers, subs, air and water drones, etc.. Obviously all of this would not be directed to Halifax, but much would. I suspect a slow down in building won't be allowed to happen.

There was a post elsewhere on the forum suggesting that military salaries might get a big bump as a means of improving recruitment/retention and hitting GDP targets. This would be major for Halifax.

I think the military footprint in Halifax is undersized given the city's strategic importance to Canada, the scale/wealth of Canada, and the threat level of the world we're in. It's basically suited to the 1990's (US as reliable world police, basically no Russia or China, etc.).

[Dartguard]

Originally Posted by someone123

There was a post elsewhere on the forum suggesting that military salaries might get a big bump as a means of improving recruitment/retention and hitting GDP targets. This would be major for Halifax.

I think the military footprint in Halifax is undersized given the city's strategic importance to Canada, the scale/wealth of Canada, and the threat level of the world we're in. It's basically suited to the 1990's (US as reliable world police, basically no Russia or China, etc.).

Along those lines I have been studying some 1960's plans that the RCN had shortly after the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. Admiral Rayner at the time was going to propose, after NATO consultations, an RCN of 43 Major Warships with about two thirds based out of Halifax. He was looking to build a Navy of 9 Submarines, 8 new General Purpose Destroyers to compliment the 20 newer Destroyers escorts that were sailing and to launch 6 Helicopter carrying Destroyers. The success of the integration of the SH-3 Sea Kings into very small ships allowed the Government to reduce that fleet.

The Navy has been lobbying the Government for decades to base Canadian Naval power around the Task group concept. The group should consist of at least 4 River class Destroyers along with a Berlin class Tanker and a Submarine. The Senate sub committee on Defence in 2017 recommended a Force structure of 18 River Class and 12 Conventional powered Submarines along with at least three tankers to represent Canadian interests. Throw in the 6 AOPS and 9 new, better armed Corvettes to replace the Kingston's and Canada would be back to one of only about 12 Nations that can and do sail wherever on this Planet we want.

HMCS Margaret Brooke is in Chile after visiting Antarctica, a first for an RCN Ship. She will be sailing the West Coast of South America before transiting the Panama Canal and home to Halifax for May.

[someone123]

Originally Posted by Dartguard

Throw in the 6 AOPS and 9 new, better armed Corvettes to replace the Kingston's and Canada would be back to one of only about 12 Nations that can and do sail wherever on this Planet we want.

I think it is in Canada's interests to be able to do this in order to defend trade and allies. It is not mostly or only about being invaded or attacked directly. The US won't let China land a bunch of troops here but they're not necessarily going to do what is in Canada's best interests abroad (consider scenarios like attacking Houthis or helping Ukraine, but Canada wants to be involved and the USA doesn't).

People talk about pivoting to Asia but geography being what it is, not much land mass is anywhere near the west coast of NA. Sri Lanka is about the midway point. If China starts something, ships deployed at that point from Canada would take a very long time to arrive. They would have to be stationed in Asia.

[q12]

Halifax council passes plan to prepare city for 1 million people

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...pare-city-for-1-million-people-1.7566338

[terrynorthend]

I just came here to post this!!

Even the dismal low immigration/economic downturn projection has us at 3/4 million by 2050, and all other scenarios push us to ~1 million or greater.

That's only 25 years. I remember the big millennium new year's bash like it was yesterday... blink and it'll blow past you!

25 years to replace the McKay, probably need to build a 3rd bridge, build out a transit system that can handle 1 million commuters, upgrade our road grid, finish the Infirmary expansion/Cancer Care building, and likely a massive Dartmouth General Hospital expansion too. All while private construction more than doubles the residential doors we currently have. Schools for the kids. And that's just the business side of things, not even looking at the 'fun' stuff- amenities that a city of a million demands- stadium, new arena, performing arts centre, new museums, galleries, shopping, etc.

We are so screwed... we need to start this yesterday!

Originally Posted by q12

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot...pare-city-for-1-million-people-1.7566338

[someone123]

Originally Posted by terrynorthend

25 years to replace the McKay, probably need to build a 3rd bridge, build out a transit system that can handle 1 million commuters, upgrade our road grid, finish the Infirmary expansion/Cancer Care building, and likely a massive Dartmouth General Hospital expansion too. All while private construction more than doubles the residential doors we currently have. Schools for the kids. And that's just the business side of things, not even looking at the 'fun' stuff- amenities that a city of a million demands- stadium, new arena, performing arts centre, new museums, galleries, shopping, etc.

This obvious reality is at odds with most other HRM reports that are so modest, like the stadium reports that treat a 6-8k stadium as a huge risk and act as though it's inconceivable to move the lawn bowling. I wonder how much economic activity Halifax leaves on the table with this lack of ambition.

I am not sure Halifax has a single major modern cultural venue of the type you'd expect in a city of 500k-1M. The city should pick one or two things to do exceptionally well instead of having a bunch of okay but uninspired spots with nothing standing out as a major draw. There doesn't seem to be the kind of leadership required to champion exceptional projects. Instead it is more of a committee and study mentality which can only ever create at best competent yet bland results.

There isn't an adequate transit plan and that has a big impact on zoning and what can be built. HRM wants to focus development in existing areas and they don't want to widen roads much or build highways so that implies major transit improvement. Maybe JRTA or whatever it has been renamed to will change that. Much of the blame here lies with the province.