State of the Region Address

Halifax Regional Municipality

Mayor Peter Kelly

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

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On behalf of Halifax Regional Council, it is my pleasure to be here today to share many of the recent achievements we have celebrated as a community - and the challenges we are facing.

Looking Back.

Looking back on 2003, all I can say is.it was quite a year. Without a doubt, we have had more than our share of weather-related disasters - from flooding last spring to Hurricane Juan in the fall and then a record-breaking blizzard this winter.

Disasters of this magnitude can bring out the best in people, and these were no exception. We saw the true spirit of our residents shine through with neighbours helping neighbours and communities working together.

Many of our HRM staff, Nova Scotia Power employees, Armed Forces personnel, non-profit organizations, and you - our residents - went above and beyond the call of duty to keep our municipality going and to continue delivering the services under very difficult circumstances.

Living here, we maintain a great quality of life.   We have an excellent work-life balance. In fact, Nova Scotians report some of the highest levels of job satisfaction and commitment to their organizations.

Our unemployment rate has been below the Canadian average for the past 15 years and per capita income exceeds the Canadian average. In fact, employment opportunities have increased by 20 per cent in HRM between 1993 and 2003.  

The economic fabric of our community has diversified greatly and grown steadily. Continued growth depends on our ability - and your ability - to develop and attract new business enterprises.and to retain and expand existing ones.

As business leaders, you know first-hand that HRM offers an excellent business environment in which to operate. It ranks among the most cost-competitive business locations of the 98 cities compared world-wide in the 2004 K-P-M-G report, The CEO's Guide to International Business Costs .

But yet we know that we have some work to do in our business planning, including an examination of the commercial tax burden and immigration policy development.and we look forward to working with the business community in meeting these challenges.

Our municipality isn't just a great place to live and do business.according to the tourists, we're also a great place to visit. The tourism sector is a substantial force in our economy generating approximately three-quarters of a billion dollars in revenue.

There is no doubt that we're holding our own - the examples are strong and clear. Yet, we cannot forget the less fortunate.

Over the past year we have been active in addressing issues of safe, affordable housing and homelessness. In cooperation with Minister David Morse and the provincial Community Services staff, we are working to address the issues outlined in the homelessness report, Portrait of Streets and Shelters .  We hope to have a workable strategy complete within the next year.

I'd like to take a moment to reflect on some of our achievements over the last year.

The Harbour Solutions Project has long been a high priority for the citizens and Regional Council. Two years ago when I stood before you at the State of the Region, there was no commitment by the federal or provincial governments. Since then, we have negotiated a partnership in which three levels of government will contribute toward the clean-up of Halifax Harbour. The Province and the federal government are now contributing 100 million dollars towards the 333- million-dollar price tag.and the project is now moving forward with completion set for the Summer of 2008.

In 2003, we made great strides with the development of our Regional Plan , which will outline strategies for how HRM can accommodate the estimated 100,000 more residents over the next 25 years.

Last year, we also introduced the Integrated City project, which will enable our citizens to more easily access and receive government services. This initiative will ultimately save time, eliminate duplication and improve service to you, the public.

Moving Forward

So, where are we today? What is the state of our region? And what's in store for 2004?

The citizens of HRM expect their communities to be Healthy, Sustainable, Vibrant and Safe . Our residents also expect our municipality to provide Excellence in Governance and Service Delivery.

These pillars are the basis of the work carried out by Regional Council and HRM staff.

Excellence in Governance

Halifax Regional Council continues to ensure HRM programs and services contribute to a high quality of life in our communities and to ensuring value for dollars spent on your - the taxpayers' - behalf.   Several of my Council Colleagues are here today.

Under Council's leadership and direction, CAO George McLellan and our staff have brought the debt under control.and it is being reduced in an orderly manner through our Multi-Year Financial Strategy and our municipality's business planning process.

Every year, for the last five years, we have balanced the books and shown a surplus. For the first time since 1996, HRM's total debt is just under $300 million..projected to go to about $290 million by the end of this fiscal year.

Still, we can no longer rely solely on property taxes to manage our region and deliver the quality of life people have come to expect from our municipality.

HRM's heavy reliance on property taxes - which is more than 75 per cent - is higher than most municipalities across the country and further limits the flexibility of the municipality to respond to our significant infrastructure and growth challenges.

Over the last few years, I have been working regionally with the Atlantic Mayors and nationally with the Big City Mayors to find alternative sources of revenue - and to discuss and come forward with a common strategy on how municipalities can better work with the federal and provincial governments.

This Spring, we were pleased to see the Federal Government follow through on its commitment to rebate 100 per cent of the GST.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has brought forward a new approach in developing a new partnership with municipalities; the New Deal will assist in addressing our issues, such as infrastructure funding.

He appointed Michael Harcourt as Chair of the External Advisory Committee on Cities and Communities.  

Next week, I - and other mayors - will meet with Mr. Harcourt in Edmonton at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Big City Mayors' meeting to discuss the next steps for the New Deal for municipalities.

In June, I'm participating in the National Forum on the Economic Growth of Big Cities in Canada, where we're hoping to get together with Prime Minister Paul Martin to continue our discussions.

In the weeks leading up to the federal election, you will hear that Canada's big cities are the engines of economic growth.that attracting and retaining human and financial capital is key to international competitiveness.

It is time to put aside 19 th century thinking and come together to give Canadians, Nova Scotians and our citizens what they expect: responsible governments working together in partnership.

Quality of life depends on the long-term sustainability of our communities, and that depends on our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being.  

As the economic engine for Nova Scotia and a key player in the economy of Atlantic Canada, a thriving Halifax Regional Municipality will unleash the potential for all of Nova Scotia.and simply "holding our own" is at the peril of the province and its regions.

Excellence in Service Delivery

Halifax Regional Municipality is committed to excellence in service delivery. We are creating a system that provides seamless access to services and information through the Internet, phone and in-person.

This year a new Integrated Dispatch Centre will allow for better coordination of public safety and emergency services. In addition, our new Mobile Trunk Radio Network will provide a fully-integrated voice communications system for police, fire, medical and emergency services.

This year, we're making ongoing improvements to our public transit system, including laying the groundwork to begin implementation of the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit System from Sackville and Cole Harbour to the downtown core scheduled for May 2005.   Construction will begin on the new transit terminal for Cole Harbour early this summer.

We're also working with the Province through Transportation Minister Ron Russell on a proposed Capital Transportation Authority that will create numerous efficiencies for transportation infrastructure within our municipality.  

One that will enable HRM to plan for the future, with one of the most integrated transportation strategies in Canada. One that will deal with all roads, the Halifax-Dartmouth bridges, public transit, ferry, rail, parking and bikeways.

Healthy, sustainable, vibrant communities

Healthy, sustainable, vibrant communities is another key priority of Halifax Regional Municipality. As you know, last year we embarked upon a long-term Regional Plan for growth management and development.

Last week the Regional Planning Committee announced three alternatives for growth in HRM. The alternatives are conceptual and are intended to stimulate discussion about how you, as a resident of HRM, want your communities to grow.

If you haven't already, I encourage you as business leaders and as residents to get involved in the regional planning process by participating in the open houses this summer. These open houses are your opportunity to ask questions, to voice your concerns, and to have your say in how we grow over the next 25 years.

Safe Communities

Another key priority is Safe Communities. Halifax Regional Municipality is a recognized national leader in providing integrated emergency response coordinated through our Emergency Measures Office. The only federal-provincial-municipal emergency operation centre in Canada is located right here in our municipality.  

In fact, Prime Minister Paul Martin has stated that he would like to see the rest of Canada use our Emergency Measures Operations as a prototype.  

In 2004, all three levels of emergency management will work together to further enhance the system to make sure that it continues to satisfy the needs of our residents in the years to come.

This year Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services is celebrating its 250th anniversary. The 452 men and women and more than 800 volunteers from 63 stations throughout HRM continue to provide excellent protection to citizens and property in our communities. And this year, we're expanding that service with new fire stations in Beaver Bank and Highfield Park.

Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP are also a big part of what makes this a safe community. Halifax Regional Police is committed to advancing information technology and integrating its communications infrastructure with the RCMP and Fire Services.

A new Computer-Aided Dispatch and Records Management System will replace the current system later this year, resulting in cost reductions and operational efficiencies.

Great place to live, learn, work and play.

Although we know this is a great place to live, learn, work and play, we can make it better. Halifax Regional Council and the staff of HRM strive for excellence in governance and service delivery.and by striving for that excellence we continue to protect and improve our quality of life.

We are unique with our own lifestyle and our own sense of cultural diversity.

This summer we celebrate our heritage and culture during our summer festivals and our community celebrations. We will have even more opportunities to revisit our historical roots with the Tall Ships Challenge taking place during the World Acadian Congress .

We think our culture is something we should celebrate and that is why we are applying to the federal government to be considered for the Cultural Capital of Canada designation for 2005.

Protecting the character that is unique to our communities is in the interests of all residents of HRM.   In addition, the Capital District Task Force is working towards an urban design plan that will result in new public space in front of the Gottingen North End Library, refurbished brick sidewalks on Portland Street, improvements to the Public Gardens, and a new transit terminal at Scotia Square.

In closing.

Halifax Regional Municipality is indeed a great community.and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who work so hard to keep it that way:

I would like to thank my colleagues on Halifax Regional Council for their continued hard work, dedication and support in serving the needs of our citizens and our communities.  

To George McLellan and senior staff, my sincere appreciation for your outstanding leadership.and to all HRM staff for your commitment to delivering top-quality programs and services to our residents.

I also want to thank the hundreds of HRM volunteers throughout our community, including those here today, who give generously of their time, talent and resources in so many ways.

To Valerie Payn and Members of the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce, I appreciate the opportunity to join you today to tell you about the State of our Region. I would also like to thank you for your support over the past year, especially with regards to our regional planning efforts.

You and I know that HRM has tremendous potential and great promise. The need to work together with the Province, the federal government, and with you - our residents and business leaders has never been more important. By working together, we can continually strive to open new doors of opportunity, so that we can leave a legacy of strength, compassion and prosperity.