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 Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
2025/26 Affordable Housing Grant Program (AHGP) Funding
Regional Council has directed the Chief Administrative Officer to allocate $1.5 million from the Density Bonus Reserve to fund affordable housing projects in the regional centre.
The program provides project-specific grants to non-profit and charitable housing providers for new construction, conversions, repairs, acquisitions and studies.
The AHGP supports municipal priorities to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve and maintain existing stock. Since 2021, the program has awarded $14 million to create or preserve more than 730 units and rooms of affordable housing.
For more information, read the staff report.
Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Treatment and Management Plan
Regional Council has approved the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Treatment and Management Plan to protect eastern hemlock populations in the municipality.
HWA is an invasive pest first detected in Nova Scotia in 2017 and in Halifax in 2023. Left untreated, it can decimate native eastern hemlock forests within a few years.
The plan outlines how Halifax will survey, mark, and treat hemlock trees, focusing initially on 15 priority parks. Treatment will be carried out by a combination of municipal staff, contractors, and supervised volunteers, using chemical methods that remain the only effective option to reduce HWA’s spread.
Its goal is to preserve healthy hemlock stands in Halifax for current and future generations.
For more information, read the staff report.
Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Previous meeting highlights
Drought Monitoring and Water Delivery
Regional Council has directed the CAO to continue the municipal water distribution program and approve reserve funding to support costs related to drought relief.
This summer, Nova Scotia, including the municipality, has faced severe drought conditions, leaving many rural wells dry. In response, the municipality established water distribution centres at volunteer fire stations, supported by firefighters, Joint Emergency Management teams, and municipal staff.
The municipality is providing four litres of drinking water per person per day, consistent with Canadian Red Cross guidelines. This ensures that families are provided the water they need’s Since early August, the municipality has distributed more than $59,000 worth of water through six distribution locations.
To maintain service, Council approved a withdrawal of up to $200,000 from the Risk Resilience Reserve. Any provincial or federal reimbursement received will be reallocated back to the reserve.
The municipality recognizes the environmental impacts of bottled water and strives to reduce waste by distributing 4-litre jugs rather than individual bottles.
This action ensures that residents without access to well water continue to receive safe drinking water during the current drought.
For more information, read the staff report.
Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.
Parks Stewardship Program
Regional Council has directed the CAO to develop a Park Stewardship Program.
The proposed program will expand opportunities for residents and community groups to take part in the care and enhancement of municipal parks. It builds on existing initiatives such as community gardens and naturalization projects, while adding new components like Adopt-a-Park and more flexible cleanup opportunities.
Halifax has more than 900 parks, ranging from neighbourhood green spaces to wilderness areas. While day-to-day maintenance is performed by municipal staff or contractors, there is strong community interest in contributing to stewardship activities. The Park Stewardship Program will provide a consistent, coordinated framework for this involvement.
The program is expected to launch using existing resources, with future program growth to be assessed and reported back to Council as required.
For more information, read the staff report.
Note: this motion will be final when the meeting minutes are approved by Regional Council.