Fire station closure debate returns to Halifax council

Halifax Regional Council spent hours debating closing several fire stations Wednesday, but only approved one amendment.

Council will hold a fourth session to debate the issues next Tuesday.

Coun. Steve Craig proposed that instead of building two new stations in Bedford and decommissioning one in Lower Sackville, Halifax should decide the future of the Sackville station after the new ones are built and the fire service has more information. 

"This gives everybody the opportunity to make a more informed, timely decision. It has no budget impacts for this year or the coming year. It would have a budget impact in a couple of years, so why box ourselves in?" he said.

Jennifer Watts, councillor for Peninsula North, doesn't want the Lady Hammond Road station closed.

"It is an emotional issue. I have seen three fires from my front steps," she said.

Gloria McCLuskey, councillor for Dartmouth, wants to keep the King Street station in Dartmouth.

"The people deserve to have the fire service that make them feel safe," she said.

Reg Rankin, who represents Timberlea-Beechville-Clayton Park West, says keeping everything open will come at a cost.

"Collectively we're poised to do something that is not in the interest of the taxpayer," he said.