2026/27 municipal budget summary

On Nov. 19 & 21, 2025, Regional Council approved the budget direction for the 2026/27 municipal budget process. Budget direction is the plan that guides how the municipality spends money and delivers services. It helps keep the process clear and accountable.

The 2026/27 budget process includes several key milestones:

  • February 2026 Business Unit & Budget Presentations
    Each municipal business unit will present its proposed budget and business plan. Regional Council will review these presentations, discuss possible changes, and then send them forward for a final decision later in the budget process.
  • March 2026 Budget Adjustment List (BAL) Review
    The BAL includes all additional items beyond proposed budgets, including add-ons (“overs”) and subtractions (“unders”).
  • March 31, 2026 Final Budget Approval
    Regional Council will review and approve the 2026/27 Operating and Capital Budgets.
Budget process overview

Regional Council approves a Budget and Business Plan and a Capital Plan every year. The municipal budget funds all costs associated with servicing a growing municipality.

This includes day-to-day municipal operations (i.e. transit, police, fire, garbage collection, snow clearing), capital priority initiatives approved by Regional Council (i.e. HalifACT, the Cogswell District project, the Integrated Mobility Plan) - as well as capital projects and investments to purchase, construct, rehabilitate and replace municipal assets like buildings, roads, active transportation, parks and bridges.

2026/27 municipal budget planning process

Key dates:

There are several milestones in the annual municipal budget process. Below are the upcoming key dates for the 2026/27 municipal budget process:

  • Nov. 19 & 21, 2025 – Budget Direction and Service Enhancements
  • Dec. 9, 2025 – Capital Program Update and Advanced Tenders Report
  • Jan. 27 , 2026 – Special evening public participation session (6 p.m., following Regional Council)
  • Jan 28 & 30, 2026 – Capital Plan Recommendation (Reserve Withdrawals, Multi-Year Projects)
  • Feb. 4 to 6, 2026 – Operations Budget Presentations
    • Major Projects Office
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Planning & Development
    • Public Works
    • Strategic Infrastructure & Transportation Planning
    • Halifax Transit
    • Property, Fleet & Environment
  • Feb. 11 to 13, 2026 – Public Safety Budget Presentations
    • Community Safety
    • Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency
    • Halifax Regional Police
    • RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment
  • Feb. 18 & 19, 2026 – Corporate Services & Other Budget Presentations
    • Office of the CAO
    • Finance & Asset Management
    • Human Resources
    • Information Technology
    • Legal & Legislative Services
    • Auditor General
    • Halifax Public Library
    • Fiscal Services
    • Office of the Mayor
  • Mar. 4 & 6, 2026 – Budget Adjustment List debate
  • Mar. 31, 2026 – 2026/27 Municipal Budget and Business Plan approval
Other resources