The following was before Halifax Regional Council:
- Request for Consideration form from Councillor Steele, revised November 28, 2025
- Correspondence from Norm Collins, Michael Howard, William Breckenridge, Ed Rideout, Tricia Murray, V Bradshaw, Jennifer Ashton, Brandi Hitchens, Peter Ewert
MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to:
a) Identify inequities within the current Nova Scotia Capped Assessment program and;
b) Examine the program’s effects on housing affordability in HRM, as well as its broader impact on HRM’s Housing Strategy.
Based on the findings of the above, that Regional Council directs the Mayor to write a letter to the Minister of Growth and Development requesting amendments to the Nova Scotia Assessment Act to permit a phased in approach that addresses identified inequities.
Councillor Cuttell proposed "based on the findings of the above, that Regional Council directs the Mayor to write a letter to the Minister of Growth and Development requesting amendments to the Nova Scotia Assessment Act to permit a phased in approach that addresses identified inequities" be removed from the motion. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.
The motion now read:
MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to:
a) Identify inequities within the current Nova Scotia Capped Assessment program and;
b) Examine the program’s effects on housing affordability in HRM, as well as its broader impact on HRM’s Housing Strategy.
Brad Anguish, Acting Chief Administrative Officer responded to questions of clarification from Halifax Regional Council.
Councillor Hartling proposed "include consultation with impacted groups from sectors like residential developers, home builders, rental housing operators, realtors, tenant advocates, economists and senior advocacy groups" be added to the motion. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.
The motion now read:
MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to:
a) Identify inequities within the current Nova Scotia Capped Assessment program;
b) Examine the program’s effects on housing affordability in HRM, as well as its broader impact on HRM’s Housing Strategy; and
c) Include consultation with impacted groups from sectors like residential developers, home builders, rental housing operators, realtors, tenant advocates, economists and senior advocacy groups.
Mayor Fillmore proposed "include a jurisdictional scan" be added to the motion. As provided for in section 53 (2) of Administrative Order One, Respecting the Procedures of the Council, the amendment was accepted as friendly.
The motion now read:
MOVED by Councillor Steele, seconded by Councillor Kent
THAT Halifax Regional Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a staff report to:
a) Identify inequities within the current Nova Scotia Capped Assessment program;
b) Examine the program’s effects on housing affordability in HRM, as well as its broader impact on HRM’s Housing Strategy;
c) Include consultation with impacted groups from sectors like residential developers, home builders, rental housing operators, realtors, tenant advocates, economists and senior advocacy groups; and
d) Include a jurisdictional scan.
MOTION PUT AND PASSED. (16 in favour, 1 against)
In favour: Mayor Fillmore, Deputy Mayor Cuttell, Councillors Deagle Gammon, Hendsbee, Kent, Purdy, Austin, Mancini, White, Hinch, Cleary, Morse, Steele, Hartling, Gillis, St-Amand
Against: Councillor Young