Making a difference in our region

Highlighted below are a few recent decisions by Regional Council that reflect steps being taken by the municipality to make a difference in the Halifax region. For more details regarding all matters deliberated by Council and the direction given to municipal staff, please see the action summaries which are posted to the online meeting agendas within one business day as well as the meeting minutes which are posted online once approved by Regional Council.

Highlights from March 5, 2024

ID: Image of a ferry heading toward the Halifax skyline.

Final stages of latest economic strategy approved 

The municipality will continue to work closely with the Halifax Partnership to drive inclusive economic growth in our region. The action plan for years three-to-five of People. Planet. Prosperity: Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy have been approved by Regional Council.

The strategy is a shared roadmap for economic development and will continue to build on promoting and maximizing sustainable growth, attracting and retaining talent, and making Halifax a better place to live and work.

For more information, read the staff report.

*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.

ID: Image of water in a swimming pool.

Council requests study on what new aquatic facility would look like

City staff will proceed with a study looking at what developing a new training and competition aquatic facility would entail. 

The training and competition centres are specialized facilities that are designed to international standards for a variety of aquatic sports. In 2019, the Municipality developed an Aquatic Strategy to consider the service delivery of a spectrum of aquatic facilities ranging from beaches and splash pads to major indoor pools that may include training and competition facilities. 

The strategy identified the municipality should begin planning for a new training and competition aquatic facility within 3 to 15 years.

For more information, read the staff report

*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.

ID: Image of a gravel road.

New Gravel Road Paving Program 

Now that all of the pre-engineering work is complete to determine what it should look like, Regional Council has implemented a new Gravel Road Asset Management and Paving Program for residents. The program includes paving prioritization measures and criteria like existing condition, road classification, traffic volume and stormwater management. 

Annual funding will be provided for the program in future capital plans over a period of approximately ten years. 

For more information, read the staff report

*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.

Previous meeting highlights

Alt text: A picture of a bus with the East Hants Community Rider.

Rural transit supports increased by Regional Council

For nearly a decade, Halifax Regional Municipality has been supporting rural transit through the Rural Transit Funding Program. The following four service providers currently receive grants under this program: BayRides, East Hants Community Rider, MusGo Musquodoboit and MusGo Valley-Sheet Harbour.

Regional Council has directed staff to amend Administrative Order 2014-012-ADM to allow for a one-time increase in the 2024/25 fiscal year in response to increases in operating costs for these rural transit service providers. Staff have also been directed to amend this order to account for inflation by increasing funding annually based on the five year average for inflation.

For more information, read the staff report

*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.

Alt text: A photo of City Hall.

2024/25 Budget & Multi-Year Capital Plan approved by Regional Council

Regional Council has approved the 2024/25 Capital Budget and the 2024/25 Multi-Year Capital Plan, which are the basis for staff’s planning and resourcing preparations required to implement capital projects within the current year and next three years.

Some key projects in this budget include the Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Recreation Centre Recapitalization, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) Headquarters and Station 1, Active Transportation, Sidewalk Recapitalization, HRFE Fleet Replacement, Burnside & City of Lakes Industrial Park and Electric Bus Procurement and municipal building retrofits as part of HalifACT.

For more information, read the staff report

*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
 

Council approves new Rural Recreation Strategy

Regional Council has approved the proposed Rural Recreation Strategy, which provides an analysis of current and future needs for Parks & Recreation services and assets in rural areas of HRM.

With this approval, to the municipality will carry out the actions contained in the Rural Recreation Strategy as part of the multi-year budgeting and business planning process. These actions were shaped around six key themes:

  • Equitable access to indoor facilities;
  • Access to outdoor recreation opportunities;
  • Volunteer support;
  • Programming that meets rural needs;
  • Inter-departmental and inter-governmental partnerships; and
  • Advertising and communications that reflect rural communities.

For more information, read the staff report.