Ottawa wants to offload this office building. Nova Scotia wants it to house homeless people

The federal government has initiated a buildingdisposal process that could potentially see a vacant 61,000-square-footoffice building in Dartmouth, N.S., turned into housing for homeless people.

The Marine House building on Portland Streetwas formerly home to offices of the Canadian Coast Guard andthen the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but has been sitting unoccupiedfor years.

As the provincial government grapples with how to best supportmore than 100 people sleeping in encampments in Halifax, the minister in charge of homelessness says he's been in talks with the federal housing minister for over a year about the Marine House building.

The province wants to see it turned into housing.

"This is a spot that's empty, it's a place where with some investment we could easily have housing that's secure and, quite frankly,would do a great job," Community Services Minister Brendan Maguiresaid in a recent interview.

"We could potentiallyhouse every single person that's living in an encampment in that building."

The seven-storey Marine House building was built in 1984. According to a directory of federal property,it is in "critical" condition.

Maguire said the province "needs this,"and would even take the building on a temporary basis to house people over the winter, but"can't get a commitment from the federal government."

The disposal of federal property can encompass a sale, giftor transfer of administration and control. Maguire didn't say if the province intends to pay for the building.

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Federal Housing Minister Sean Fraser's office would not provide an update on the discussions with Maguire, saying the building falls under the purview of Public Services and Procurement Canada.

A spokesperson forthat department said the disposal process has been initiated for Marine House and there arespecific steps to follow with real estate.

"Each property requires different levels of engagement and consultation," said spokesperson Jullian Paquinin an email, adding that includes ensuringIndigenous rights are recognized.

Paquin said consultations are underway withKwilmu'kwMaw-klusuaqn,a group that negotiateson behalf of Mi'kmawchiefsin discussions withthe province and the federal government.

Public Services and Procurement Canada did not provide a response over several days aboutwhen the disposal process was initiated,if the intent of the disposal is to provide the building to the province, what step comes after consulting with the Mi'kmaq and how long this process is expected to take.