Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative government struck the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Housing Task Force to address the lack of housing in HRM. It says the changes will streamline the process with changes to the Halifax Charter. When it becomes law, council will no longer be permitted to refer development plans to community council or to an advisory committee. Housing Minister John Lohr says “It will clarify approval processes and remove duplication of public engagement. It will reduce upfront costs for business owners and improve development agreement processes.” But some councillors disagree, including Dartmouth Centre's Sam Austin and Middle/Upper Sackville - Beaver Bank - Lucasville's Lisa Blackburn. They both say this is a much bigger issue than most people in HRM realize right now and there's very little transparency with the new Task Force. They're worried it may have negative impacts on the planning and development plans already passed or in process.