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Have your say on Halifax’s next municipal budget

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A chance to weigh in on spending as Regional Council gets prepared for the 2027/28 municipal budget.

Starting Thursday, October 1, you’ll be able to speak with Mayor Andy Fillmore in sessions that will run through until the end of the month.

The city says residents continue to face significant affordability pressures while a growing municipality requires investment and services and infrastructure.

Fillmore says the upcoming budget will require clear choices.

“Residents are facing higher costs everywhere they turn, but we still need to invest in the services and infrastructure our growing region requires,” says Mayor Fillmore. “We can’t do everything at once, so we need to decide what matters most.”

About 136 residents have answered an online survey as of Monday. According to Fillmore concerns include things like taxes, housing and public safety.

Fillmore says before he decides on priorities he wans to hear from people.

Prospect Road Community CentreThurs., Oct. 1 – 6 to 7 p.m.Bedford-Hammonds Plains Community CentreThurs., Oct. 8 – 6 to 7 p.m.
East Dartmouth Community CentreTues., Oct. 13 – 6 to 7 p.m.North Preston Community CentreThurs., Oct. 22 – 10 to 11 a.m.
Halifax Central Common Multi-Purpose RoomThurs., Oct. 22 – 6 to 7 p.m.Eastern Shore Community CentreSat., Oct. 24 – 11 a.m. to 12 noon
Musquodoboit Valley Recreation OfficeSat., Oct. 24 – 1 to 2 p.m.Sheet Harbour Lions ClubSat., Oct. 24 – 3 to 4 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Community CentreWed., Oct. 28 – 2 to 3 p.m.

Andy Fillmore

Halifax mayor heads to Ottawa to talk defence, housing

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The mayor of Halifax is heading to Ottawa this week to talk about defence, housing and infrastructure with federal and municipal officials from across Canada.

The city says Mayor Andy Fillmore will focus on preparing Halifax for the economic and population growth expected from federal investments into national defence.

These include the submarine contract that will see a German company build a new fleet of 12. The mayor called the July announcement in Halifax one of Canada’s most “consequential defence procurements in a generation.”

In addition to that, in March the federal government announced more than $2 billion into upgrading the dockyard and Stadacona in Halifax as well as two new hangars in Greenwood.

Fillmore says we have an enormous opportunity in front of us.

“Major defence investments will create jobs, grow businesses, and bring more workers and families to our region,” says the mayor in a statement. “We need to make sure the housing, infrastructure, and services that support that growth keep pace.”

He will also participate in a summit on housing and the economy.

“Housing is economic infrastructure,” says Fillmore. “People need somewhere they can afford to live.”

The mayor adds, City Hall needs to use the tools within their control to make it easier to build while working with other governments to deliver the infrastructure.