HALIFAX REGIONAL COUNCIL
AGENDA

Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Immediately following Budget Committee; Reconvene 6:00 p.m. If Required

Council Chamber, 3rd Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax

 

(Joint Meeting with Harbour East - Marine Drive Community Council for the purposes of Item 15.1.1)

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

SPECIAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

3.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 10, 2026

4.

APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF BUSINESS AND APPROVAL OF ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council approve recommendations in the following items: 13.1.1, 15.1.2, 15.2.1, 15.3.1, 15.3.2, 15.4.1, 15.4.2, 15.5.1.

6.

BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

7.

CALL FOR DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

8.

MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

9.

MOTIONS OF RESCISSION

None

10.

CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS - January 27, 2026 & February 10, 2026

10.1

Halifax International Airport Authority Update - 10:00 a.m.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council receive the Halifax Stanfield International Airport Annual Update as a presentation.

10.2

Councillor Purdy - Review of the Complete Streets Policy and Consideration of a Maintenance-First Approach

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report outlining options to amend or discontinue the Complete Streets Policy and to evaluate a Maintenance-First approach that prioritizes pavement condition, road rehabilitation, and core infrastructure renewal. The report should include financial implications, impacts on project delivery and asset management.

11.

NOTICES OF TABLED MATTERS

None

12.

PUBLIC HEARING

None

13.

CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

13.1

Correspondence

13.1.1

Fly-past Request – Battle of the Atlantic Ceremony*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Municipality grant permission for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to fly RCAF assets in formation over Point Pleasant Park as per the enclosed diagram in the letter dated February 10, 2026 (routed from sea and turning inland to fly directly over the memorial), at an altitude of 500 feet above the highest obstacles at 10:58 a.m. on May 3, 2026, as part of the Battle of the Atlantic ceremony.

13.2

Petitions

14.

INFORMATION ITEMS BROUGHT FORWARD - February 10, 2026

14.1

Councillor Morse - Halifax Green Network Progress Report, up to December 2024

15.

REPORTS

15.1

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

15.1.1

Case 24469: Comprehensive Neighbourhood Planning – M District Future Growth Node, Dartmouth (Joint Meeting with Harbour East - Marine Drive Community Council)

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Give First Reading to consider the proposed amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and the Regional Centre Land Use By-law, as set out in Attachments A and B of the staff report dated February 18, 2026, to enable comprehensive development of the M District Future Growth Node located between Micmac Boulevard, Horizon Court, and Highway 111, Dartmouth, and schedule a public hearing.

It is further recommended that Harbour East – Marine Drive Community Council:

2. Give Notice of Motion to consider the proposed development agreement, as set out in Attachment C of the staff report dated February 18, 2026, to permit a comprehensive mixed-use residential, commercial, and institutional development with up to 2,800 dwelling units, a large shared housing with special care use, an office building, and an expansion to the existing mall on the lands of 4239474 CANADA INC. The public hearing for the development agreement shall be held concurrently with that indicated in Recommendation 1.

15.1.2

MPSA 2025-00514 - Initiation Report for 169 Wyse Road*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council refuse to initiate amendments to the Regional Centre Secondary Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use By-Law to allow a 12-storey building in a tall mid-rise built form at 169 Wyse Road (PID 00045351) in Dartmouth.

15.2

BUDGET COMMITTEE

15.2.1

2026/27 Multi-Year Capital Plan*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council: 

1. Approve the schedule of 2026/27 Capital Budget as per Attachment 1 of the staff report dated January 22, 2026;

2. Approve the schedule of 2026/27 Capital Reserves Withdrawals as per Attachment 2 of the staff report dated January 22, 2026; 

3. Return to Budget Committee for the BAL deliberation with a Capital Plan for the years 2027/28 –2029/30 to be approved in-principle funded within Committee’s direction on debt limits, as well as a 2026/27 Multi-Year Capital Projects schedule, and:

a. Prioritize capital investment projects that maintain the safety, reliability, and condition of existing assets; and 

b. Recalibrate the pace and scope of growth-related capital projects and service expansion projects that keep debt targets below 12% debt to service ratio for the next 10-year period.

15.3

COMMUNITY PLANNING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDING COMMITTEE

15.3.1

Terms of Reference for a new Parks Advisory Committee*

Motion: 
That Halifax Regional Council recommend that the Community Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee continue to serve as the municipality’s advisory body on parks and recreation matters.

15.3.2

Centre for Art Tapes Funding Request*

Motion: 
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. approve the provision of a one-time contribution totalling $225,000 to Centre for Art Tapes to be allocated toward the purchase of the property at 2199 Gottingen Street, Halifax, accommodated in Parks & Recreation’s 2025-2026 operating budget; and

2. authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, or their delegate, to negotiate and execute the Municipality’s standard Contribution Agreement with Centre for Art Tapes, with terms and conditions acceptable to the Chief Administrative Officer.

15.4

TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE

15.4.1

Core Service Plan*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council: 

1. approve the Strategic Roadmap as a planning framework to guide the growth and development of public transit services in the short term; 

2. approve the Core Service Plan; and 

3. direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare for the implementation of proposed network and service changes outlined as recommendations within the Core Service Plan, subject to budget and resource availability.

15.4.2

Microtransit Service Plan*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council: 

1. approve the Microtransit Service Plan, as attached to the staff report dated February 3, 2026, as a planning framework to guide the growth and development of public transit services in the short term; and,

2. direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare for the implementation of microtransit in Lucasville as a Proof of Concept, and bring forward detailed costs and resource requirements associated with this implementation for Regional Council’s consideration as part of the 2027/28 budget process.

15.4.3

Second Reading Proposed By-law T-1008, Respecting the Regulation of Taxis, Accessible Taxis, Limousines and Transportation Network Companies and Proposed Amendment to Administrative Order 39, Respecting Taxi and Limousine Regulation

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. adopt Amending By-law T-1008, Amending By-law T-1000, the Halifax Regional Municipality Taxi, Limousine and Transportation Network Companies By-law, as set out in Attachment 2 to the supplementary staff report dated January 23, 2026; and

2. adopt the amendments to Administrative Order 39, the Taxi and Limousine Regulation Administrative Order, as set out in Attachment 4 to the supplementary staff report dated January 23, 2026.

15.5

HARBOUR EAST - MARINE DRIVE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

15.5.1

Park Plan for the North Woodside Community Centre Park*

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council adopt the North Woodside Community Centre Park Plan as a guiding document for future park improvements as set out in the staff report dated November 26, 2025.

15.6

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

15.6.1

Councillor Morse - Letter requesting Province of Nova Scotia (PNS) revise legislation to require Nova Scotia Power (NSP) to pay municipal property taxes in HRM

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to provide a staff report and prepare a letter from Regional Council to the Province requesting legislative changes including a repeal of Section 18 of the NSP Privatization Act to require Nova Scotia Power to pay property taxes on its HRM properties.

15.6.2

Councillor White - Provincial Engagement on Potential Increases to Development Related Fees

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to engage with/write a letter to the Province of Nova Scotia requesting confirmation of willingness to consideration of an increase in development-related fees; and

2. Subject to the provincial confirmation, prepare a staff report recommending options for increases to development-related fees.

15.6.3

Deputy Mayor Cuttell - Motion of Reconsideration - AAA Bicycle Network Capital Projects: 2026/27 & 2027/28 Planned Construction

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Waive the rules of order for section 61 subsections (2) and (3) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, regarding Motion of Reconsideration. 

It is further recommendation if Part 1 of the motion passes that Halifax Regional Council:

2. Reconsider part 1b of the motion for item 15.1.7 from the January 27, 2026 Council meeting, which read as follows:

“That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:

1. Initiate functional planning for the listed alternatives to the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) bikeway network capital projects as described in the Discussion section of this report subject to approval of the associated costs in the 2026/27 capital budget, return to Regional Council with a recommended approach to implementation of the listed alternatives:

b. Victoria Road & Highfield Park Drive Bikeways”

15.6.4

Councillor Cleary - Resources for Councillors’ Support Office

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide staff report on the resources that would be required to provide Councillors with a comparable level and suite of political support services that is currently provided to Halifax’s Mayor and Councillors in comparable jurisdictions - e.g., communications advice, social media support, policy research, speech writing, correspondence, etc.

16.

MOTIONS

17.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE)

Council may rise and go into a private In Camera session, in accordance with Section 19 of the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter, for the purpose of dealing with the following:

17.1

In Camera (In Private) Minutes - February 10, 2026

Motion: 
That the In Camera (In Private) minutes of February 10, 2026 be approved as circulated.

17.2

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

17.3

PERSONNEL MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual or group, including Code of Conduct complaints against Elected Officials.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

17.4

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.5

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.6

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 13, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.7

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 17, 2026 be maintained private and confidential. 

17.8

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body. 

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 18, 2026; and

2. Release the private and confidential report dated February 18, 2026 to the public once the conditions as outlined in the report have been met.

17.9

PROPERTY MATTER - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to providing instruction and direction to officers and employees of the Municipality pertaining to the acquisition / sale of land.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 24, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 24, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

17.10

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS - Private and Confidential Report

A matter pertaining to any subject, the discussion of which could, violate the confidentiality of information obtained from another body of government, or a public body.

Motion:
That Halifax Regional Council:

1. Adopt the recommendations as outlined in the private and confidential report dated February 24, 2026; and

2. Direct that the private and confidential report dated February 24, 2026 be maintained private and confidential.

18.

ADDED ITEMS

19.

NOTICES OF MOTION

20.

ADJOURNMENT

21.

INFORMATION ITEMS

21.1

Memorandum from the Chair of Community Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee dated February 17, 2026 re: Update – People. Planet, Prosperity: Halifax’s Inclusive Economic Strategy

21.2

Memorandum from the Municipal Clerk dated February 18, 2026 re: Requests for Presentation to Council - Jennifer Enright

21.3

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated February 13, 2026 re: Public Participation at Heritage Hearings

21.4

Memorandum from the Chief Administrative Officer dated February 13, 2026 re: 2025-28 Accessibility Strategy, 2025 Annual Progress Reports

22.

IN CAMERA (IN PRIVATE) INFORMATION ITEMS

22.1

Private and Confidential In Camera (In Private) Information Report re: Personnel Matter