Halifax asks residents what city should prioritize for next four years

The Halifax Regional Municipality is seeking input from residents on what they value most in the city and where public dollars should be allocated over the next four years. The municipality is currently in the process of developing its new strategic plan for 2026-2030, as the current plan for 2021-2025 is nearing its end. This new plan will serve as a roadmap for municipal spending and guide decisions made by staff and council members.

Residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey on the draft plan, which will be open until April 23. The goal is to ensure that the strategic objectives and goals of the plan align with the desires of the citizens. Cathie O’Toole, Halifax’s chief administrative officer (CAO), emphasized the importance of creating a plan that reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

The draft plan is centered around supporting Halifax’s population growth and is based on data gathered from the 2024 resident survey, workshops with staff and councillors, and themes that emerged from the recent municipal election. The plan is organized into three pillars of priorities set by the council: “enabling prosperity,” “strengthening communities,” and “moving better.”

“Enabling prosperity” includes initiatives such as increasing housing supply and adapting infrastructure to address climate change. “Strengthening communities” focuses on emergency planning, preserving green spaces, and exploring alternative first-responder models. “Moving better” aims to improve transit reliability, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance the safety of all transportation modes.

O’Toole stressed the importance of hearing from residents about their priorities in order to make informed decisions about where municipal funds should be allocated. Tough decisions lie ahead, as the municipality faces financial constraints and the possibility of service reductions in the next budget season. Input from the public survey will play a crucial role in shaping the final strategic plan, which is expected to be approved by regional council this summer and implemented in April of next year.

Overall, the goal of the strategic plan is to ensure that Halifax continues to grow and thrive while meeting the needs and expectations of its residents. By actively engaging with the community and incorporating their feedback, the municipality aims to create a plan that reflects the values and priorities of the people it serves.