HalifACT: Acting on Climate Together

HalifACT is one of the most ambitious climate action movements in Canada. It's our community response to the climate crisis that will build a more resilient and healthy future in Atlantic Canada while preparing for current and future climate impacts. On June 23, 2020, Halifax Regional Council unanimously adopted HalifACT – a transformational plan to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.

HalifACT is more than a plan – it’s a commitment to reducing emissions, switching to clean and reliable energy sources and demonstrating leadership from local government.

Investing in our future

As outlined in the approved 2022/23 Budget, a Climate Action Tax was established to implement the Strategic Initiatives of HalifACT. The tax is also being used to leverage climate action funding from the private sector, federal and provincial governments, providing the necessary investment for the success of HalifACT in the years to come.

Funds from the Climate Action Tax directly support HalifACT in acquiring electric vehicles and buses, constructing net-zero buildings and leading projects that improve the resiliency of communities and infrastructure.

Moving forward, the Climate Action Tax has been incorporated into the annual Budget and it is anticipated to remain in place for at least the next 10 years, with the associated rate determined annually. For the 2023/24 Budget and onward, the Climate Action Tax is a part of the base budget and does not factor into the tax increase required to balance the budget.

In the 2023/24 Budget, HalifACT capital initiatives received a total of $20.7 million in funding. Seven new positions were added to the HalifACT team to move climate action forward and help meet the goals of the plan.

For more information about the Climate Action Tax and funded HalifACT initiatives, visit: halifax.ca/budget.

Current progress report summary

See highlights from our latest progress report, presented to the Regional Council on November 22, 2022. 

Early successes in mitigation:

• $175,000 grant to support retrofit program received from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities 
• municipal guidance with our electric vehicle strategy, energy retrofit pilot and net-zero corporate buildings
• $20 million in solar energy systems installed through Solar City
• one third of Regional Centre All Ages and Abilities Bike Network is complete

Early successes in adaptation:

• $275,000 worth of trees to support Urban Forest Master Plan
• Natural Infrastructure Funding to improve Eastern Passage’s Shore Road ($5 million project)
• 1.25 acres of land and $750,000 for Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes land acquisition 
• emergency backup generators installed at four community locations to provide emergency comfort centres during extreme weather events

The Plan

Regional Council unanimously approved the HalifACT 2050 – Acting on Climate Change Together plan, the municipality’s long-term climate action plan to reduce emissions and help communities adapt to a changing climate. Have a look at our plans and supporting documents.

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