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 April 23, 2024
Regional Council approves 2024/25 municipal budget
Regional Council has approved the 2024/25 municipal budget.
The annual municipal budget funds all costs associated with servicing the growing region – including municipal operations, Regional Council-approved priority initiatives and investments to purchase, construct and rehabilitate municipal assets.
The 2024/25 municipal budget includes an operating budget of $1.04 billion and a capital budget of $306.5 million.
Below are select highlights from the 2024/25 municipal budget, grouped in Regional Council-approved priorities from the Strategic Priorities Plan 2021-25.
Communities
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$2 million for a 24/7 fire station conversion in Hammonds Plains
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Funding for 22 new Halifax Regional Police positions and six new Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers
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$2.3 million in continued Community Safety programs and new positions
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Funding for 10 new crossing guard positions
Prosperous Economy
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$7.5 million in budgeted tax relief for non-profit and charitable organizations
Environment
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$18.6 million for capital projects as part of HalifACT: Acting on Climate Together
Integrated Mobility
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$271 million for the Mill Cove Ferry Terminal project
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$2.4 million for funding of the Integrated Mobility Plan
The tax bill is the collection of all necessary levies – including the general property taxes, area charges and provincial contributions. For more information on how to read the tax bill, visit: halifax.ca/taxes.
Effective the 2024/25 fiscal year, the municipality will no longer be required to collect and remit taxes to the Province of Nova Scotia for Housing and Corrections. Previously, these charges were included in the “provincial rate” section of residents’ tax bill.
While this change has no effect on the municipality’s budget, it will lower the total tax bill – which includes the portion the municipality collects on the province’s behalf.
The average residential tax bill (including provincial contributions and mandatory tax) will increase by 6.3 per cent – or approximately $214. This is based on the average single family home assessment value of $323,300.
The municipal portion of the average residential tax bill is increasing by 8.2 per cent – or approximately $188. This is based on the average single family home assessment value of $323,300.
The residential tax rate will increase from 0.76 to 0.77.
For more information on the 2024/25 municipal budget, visit: halifax.ca/budget.
Previous meeting highlights
Planning Neighbourhoods for the Halifax Exhibition Centre lands
Halifax Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to initiate a process that would enable the development of a mixed-use neighbourhood at the Halifax Exhibition Centre lands, located along Prospect Road. This area was identified by the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy as having potential to support the housing needs of the Municipality.
This process would include a comprehensive public participation program to ensure the neighborhood development would serve the daily needs of residents.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Combatting Islamophobia and Improving the Safety of Muslim Women and Girls
Halifax Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to strike a working group of municipal staff to create an action plan to combat Islamophobia and improve the safety of Muslim women and girls.
Gendered Islamophobia is one of the most common forms of Islamophobia in Canada. Muslim women and girls who wear visible indicators of their faith—such as the hijab or niqab—are more vulnerable to acts of Islamophobia. Action that combats Islamophobia will make our community safer and more inclusive to those most impacted by violence, which makes our community safer for all residents.
This working group will provide a report on progress made and resources required to implement this action plan.
For more information, read the staff report.
*Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.