N.S. municipal politicians weigh in on whether AI can speed up housing approvals

Nova Scotia's municipal politicians are discussing the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in expediting housing approvals. The federal government has allocated $100 million over three years to assist communities in incorporating AI technology into their housing permitting processes. However, the implementation of this initiative raises concerns about how it will be used and whether it will replace human involvement in the approval process.

Halifax District 5 Coun. Sam Austin believes that AI could be advantageous at the municipal level, but he emphasizes the need to exercise caution and ensure that AI does not replace the human touch. He states, "I wouldn't want to go to an AI just automatically approving a permit and issuing it without a human somewhere in there saying, 'Yes, this is correct.'"

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore expresses interest in exploring how digital supports can enhance the efficiency of professional staff without compromising their expertise and judgment in planning decisions. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is leading the project, with its president, Tim Tierney, noting that AI can help smaller municipalities reduce tedious permitting delays. Tierney explains that smaller towns lacking a large workforce of permit officers can benefit from AI, allowing them to expedite processing.

Edmonton is already utilizing automated reviews, resulting in one-day approvals for certain cases. The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities highlights the importance of policies governing AI usage, emphasizing that efficiency should not come at the expense of skipping crucial steps to ensure safety. David Mitchell, the federation's president, stresses that a human presence will always be necessary, whether it's a building official, inspector, or planner and engineer, to validate the work's correctness.