Halifax councillors question how infrastructure will be funded after extended fee freeze
Nova Scotia has extended its freeze on increasing development fees in Halifax and some councillors say they're concerned about where to find money for infrastructure upgrades.
Nova Scotia has extended the development fee freeze in Halifax Regional Municipality, causing concern among some councillors about funding infrastructure upgrades. The province announced the extension on Thursday, stating it would provide developers with planning certainty and allow residents to predict housing and rental costs.
The extension, which lasts until 2029, includes all development-related fees for the municipality and Halifax Water. The freeze, in place since 2023, has been extended to meet federal funding requirements. However, regional councillors worry this move will hinder HRM's ability to properly fund infrastructure and growth, especially given the municipality already has some of the lowest fees in the country.
Councillors anticipate making tough decisions in upcoming budget deliberations, as they believe the freeze will only benefit developers and ultimately hurt taxpayers who rely on development charges for services like fire stations, community centers, and parks. Mayor Andy Fillmore maintains that the freeze will help affordability but still plans to seek additional funding sources for projects.
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