Permits for Parades (Marches, Fun Runs, Etc.)

What is required to have a parade in HRM?

Section 90(7) of the Motor Vehicle Act provides that "No parade, procession or walkathon shall march, occupy or proceed along any highway within the boundaries of a city or town unless a permit has been granted by the Traffic Authority of the city or town prescribing the route to be followed and the time when the parade, procession or walkathon may take place. 

At the present time, the HRM Traffic Authority does not charge for a parade permit, however, any costs associated with Police escort or the closing of streets for an event are the sole responsibility of the parade organizers. Events on streets within the HRM Core Service Area (basically the urban areas) must obtain a parade permit from the HRM Traffic Authority, while permits for Provincially owned and maintained roadways (within HRM but outside the Core Service Area) are issued by the Central District Traffic Authority. The Provincial Traffic Authority issues permits for all 100 series highways within HRM. (i.e. Bicentennial Drive, Circumferential Highway, etc.)

In order to minimize the congestion and delay caused by numerous marches, processions and parades in Downtown Business Districts, the Traffic Authority may refuse to issue permits for on-street events on major routes. Marches and processions may be restricted to sidewalks an/or limited to less busy streets and off-peak times. All on-street events require a Police escort for safety reasons; while sidewalk only events do not require Police presence (although Police assistance may be requested). All arrangements for Police services are the responsibility of the event organizer and must be negotiated in advance with the applicable Police force, whether RCMP or Halifax Regional Police.

Contacts for further information: