Halifax-area man ordered to leave RV can stay — for now


The municipality of Halifax has reversed a decision that would have seen a man and his dog lose his home.

Matthieu Tretault has been living in the RV and a small attached addition in his mother’s property in Wellington, a rural community north of Fall River in the regional municipality of Halifax, since last summer.

After a recent complaint, HRM personnel issued a letter to Tretault that said that his configuration was breaking the local regulation of land use and had to leave before February 2.

But on Tuesday, HRM staff sent an email to Tretault to say that they had suspended the order and that it could stay for at least the coming months.

Tretault said that many people have told him that they wrote to the municipality or his councilor about his case, and has seen many comments in his favor on social networks.

“It’s almost overwhelming. I want to say, I’m definitely grateful for support. He is definitely helping Tretault on Thursday.

Matthieu Tretault sits with his dog, Harper, inside the addition he built in his RV in Wellington, ns (CBC)

Halifax spokeswoman Brynn Budden, told CBC in an email that the order was suspended in the light of the pending personnel report on Si Halifax should allow RVS for residential use, expected at the end of this year. He also said that the staff determined that the security concerns with the RV had been resolved.

An email from Halifax planning staff to Tretault’s mother said that the report on the changes in the RV statutes will arrive at the Regional Council in October.

“If that does not change, yes, my foot will be out there and I will speak even more if necessary. As is unfortunate and I do not want to be here, but I am,” Tretault said.

Michelle McClung, the mother of Tretault, said he wants the provincial government to consider creating a New Scotland policy about living RV.

At this time, many municipalities in Nueva Scotia have rules against living in RVS for more than a few weeks. Rural areas often allow them to camp, or have no specific rules on them, while the Queens region allows RV permanently in some areas if they meet certain criteria.

“It shouldn’t depend on the county in which you live, you know, and there are too many people who can benefit from him,” McClung said.

A large dark brown dog with a white spot on his chest is close to a man's legs. A firewood stove is behind her
Harper, Matthieu Tretault’s dog, in addition to the RV that houses a firewood stove. (CBC)

Once the Council has made a decision on the changes in the RV Statute, Budden said that the warning for Tretault will leave the RV “will be reviewed.”

In other similar cases in which complaints about Halifax residents who live in RVS, Budden said that the city’s approach is to make sure the occupants are safe, “as well as the surrounding community.”

If the RV is used in a way that breaks any statute, the staff decides on the appropriate course of action “case by case,” said Budden, with the understanding that policies are under review and can change in the coming months.



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