It was a bit of a challenging year for Halifax with half a new team on Council, a new mayor and several big-ticket items, according to a few team members.
Mayor Andy Fillmore acknowledges that he came into his new role with a “big head of steam” but is looking ahead with optimism.
In a year-end interview with Acadia News, he says he still has three key goals.
“Affordability, housing and mobility which breaks down into transit and congestion, are the main things,” said Fillmore. “Obviously, the housing piece and remaining in a place that’s attractive for people to do business.”
Bumpy start
Councillor Sam Austin describes 2025 as bumpy but he says that is to be expected given the uncertain times we are in and half a new Council.
One of the biggest topics for his riding was infilling in Dartmouth Cove.
“Dartmouth Cove has probably been the most contentious issue in my nine years that’s generated the largest amount of feedback from all over the district,” says Austin.
However, he says HRM passing the bylaw to protect the Cove from infilling and any water lot development, was probably the highlight of the year.
Bike Lanes
Bike lanes was a hot topic that stirred up a lot of conversation and a rally outside the legislature when it seemed some projects might be cut.
The mayor tabled a motion to pause any bike lane projects until they could understand how they would affect traffic congestion but it was voted down.
Austin says we will be a world of hurt if we don’t have more transportation options.
“We can’t add another 100,000 people to Halifax and expect that everyone is going to drive a car in the current dynamics that we have,” adds Austin.
He says, we need more alternatives for those who can use them.
Strong Mayor
The idea of strong mayor powers was floated over the summer amid a lot of chatter about giving them to Fillmore.
The buzz got louder when Premier Tim Houston strongly opposed Council’s decision to make Morris Street – a busy downtown roadway- one way to make room for bike lanes.
Several Councillors were against the idea, including Kathryn Morse, who tells us the concept was an “unhappy” surprise.
“There was no indication when we all ran for Council that strong mayor powers might be a possibility,” says Morse.
“I was relieved when it was taken off the table by the premier in September.”
Austin echoes her sentiments and says not only did Halifax disagree with the concept, but so did municipalities across the province.
“The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities did a survey,” says Austin. “It was overwhelming, depending on which question that was asked, the numbers opposed to potential strong mayor powers range from the high 70’s to low 90’s in terms of response.”
Dutch Village Rd
Another big docket on the table in 2025 was the overhaul of Dutch Village Road.
It was a $10 million project that caused not only traffic chaos but impeded business for local shops.
It was completed December 19, and Morse says it is going to be a fantastic improvement.
“We certainly needed to have the new sidewalk and to have proper drainage to have a lot of the underground infrastructure fixed,” says Morse. “It was definitely needed, and I think it will be a huge improvement for the neighborhood.”
Forging ahead
One of the key things Council is set to discuss in the new year is the municipal budget.
Property taxes are already facing a 10.9 per cent hike, and in order to prevent that, Fillmore says they are looking at a hiring freeze and cuts to grants, program and services.
They will take a deeper look in 2026.
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