Politics · Canada · 5 hrs ago
Nova Scotia extends Halifax development fee freeze to 2029
Nova Scotia has extended Halifax’s development fee freeze through 2029, covering the municipality and Halifax Water.
The freeze has been in place since 2023, and the province says the extension is needed to meet conditions for $366 million in federal funding.
Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald says stable fees will help developers plan and make housing costs more predictable.
Halifax councillors say the freeze could leave the municipality short of money for infrastructure, especially because its fees are already among the country’s lowest.
Development fees help pay for facilities such as fire stations, parks and community centres, so taxpayers may have to cover more of the cost.
Mayor Andy Fillmore says he will seek funding from other governments or private-sector partners, while councillors prepare for difficult budget decisions.
Nova Scotia has extended its freeze on increases to development-related fees in Halifax Regional Municipality until 2029.
The freeze covers fees charged by the municipality and Halifax Water and has been in place since 2023.
The province said the extension is intended to maintain federal funding and support affordability.
Some councillors warn that the freeze could make it harder to fund infrastructure as the municipality grows.
The province and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore support the extension, while critics say costs could shift to taxpayers.
- Who
- The Nova Scotia government extended the freeze. Halifax councillors and other critics raised concerns about its effects.
- What
- The freeze on increases to development-related fees was extended until 2029.
- When
- The province announced the extension on Thursday morning, November 5, 2026.
- Where
- Halifax Regional Municipality, including fees charged by Halifax Water.
- Why
- The province said the extension was needed to meet federal funding requirements and support affordability.
Nova Scotia government and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore
Concerned councillors and critics
Purpose
Nova Scotia government and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore
The province said the freeze helps maintain affordability and meet federal funding requirements. Fillmore said he believes it will benefit affordability.
Concerned councillors and critics
Critics said the freeze could impede infrastructure funding and shift costs to taxpayers.
Funding
Nova Scotia government and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore
Municipal Affairs Minister John A. MacDonald said he would not give up $366 million in federal money.
Concerned councillors and critics
Councillor Kathryn Morse said that if fees do not rise, taxes may have to rise instead.
Infrastructure
Nova Scotia government and Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore
Fillmore said he would seek funding through other levels of government or private-sector partnerships.
Concerned councillors and critics
Deputy Mayor Patty Cuttell said the municipality is already at a breaking point as growth strains services.
The development fee freeze began.
Nova Scotia announced that it was extending the freeze.
The extended freeze on increases to development-related fees will remain in place.
- Extension
- Until 2029
- Coverage
- Development-related fees for Halifax Regional Municipality and Halifax Water
- Freeze began
- 2023
- Federal funding cited
- $366 million
- Announcing authority
- Nova Scotia government
What people are saying
I’m not going to give up $366 million of federal money.
You have to get revenue from somewhere. It comes from taxes or fees. So if fees aren’t going up, taxes will probably have to go up instead.
We are already at a breaking point. I can feel the pressure of growth and … I’m seeing the cracks now.
If the developers aren’t paying for it, the taxpayers will.