Halifax, Nova Scotia:

A Unique Slice of Canada

The city of Halifax is a modern city with historic components embedded within its roots; at least that is the opinion of Stephen Dempsey.

Dempsey will speak on the city of Halifax and its impending future as part of the REIC Professional Development Day on May 29th.

He cites not only Halifax’s historic tones, but its unique characteristics as reasons the city is famous worldwide. “We are the oldest English speaking city in Canada,” explains Dempsey, when referring to Halifax. “Our city is over 260 years old, we have a small population, are a port city, and are a tourist location - all of these are a major part of our DNA.”           

Dempsey himself will play a part in how the city will move forward. As President & CEO of the Greater Halifax Partnership, an organization whose main function he explains is “to bring people together and produce results.” It is a public-private organization that brings together all three levels of government, more than 150 private sector investors and many different community groups to drive the economic growth of the Halifax region.

“Every day is different,” he proclaims, when discussing how the organization builds partnerships and secures investors. “I may meet with the Admiral of the Navy in the morning, have lunch with hospital facilitators and then meet with Halifax Public Transportation in the afternoon. We cover everything!”

Just recently, Dempsey met with 21 mayors from across Atlantic Canada to discuss the current economic state. He is proud to promote the fact that Halifax has not been as negatively affected by the economic woes as some other Canadian cities. “We have one of Canada’s lowest unemployment rates. We are closer to having an unemployment rate more like Ottawa rather than Toronto.” 

Statistics Canada’s unemployment numbers released for March 2009 state that the unemployment rate of Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax are 8.8%, 5.2% and 6.0% respectively.  The National unemployment rate for March 2009 was 8.0%

The city of Halifax has a law in place that prohibits buildings in the city core from being built above a certain height. When asked if that could hinder how the city moves forward, Dempsey didn’t believe it would play much of a factor. “There are view plains from the Citadel Hill to the harbor which make it impossible to build above a certain height- but that adds to both the historic and tourism elements of Halifax and it’s something that we embrace. We can work around it. There are still many areas in the city where we can build high.”

Dempsey hopes that both visitors to the city and those who call Halifax home, will attend his presentation as there is always something to learn. “I think anyone who attends, regardless of where they call home will come away with a deeper appreciation of what makes Halifax unique, but also the common components it shares with many Canadian cities.”  

Dempsey also had a special message for those who will be traveling to Halifax for the conference. “Come here and have fun.  We want you to know that Halifax plays just as hard and as much as it works!”

Stephen Dempsey will speak on Friday May 29th from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM along with Andy Fillmore of the Halifax Regional Municipality on Halifax: Canada’s Modern Historic City at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

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