HRM & NS PROPERTY TAX PROGRAMS

HRM has a variety of programs to aid homeowners with their property tax obligations.

There are various options for payment plans, property tax rebates, or deferral of

property taxes (payment is put off to a future later date). A homeowner with a LIC –

(local improvement charge) can also apply for a deferral of these charges. It is important

that you know what choices exist. Some of these programs are available to

homeowners with a combined household income of $48,000 or less a year.  The HRM

application form can be found

at: https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/about-halifax/cc-

affordableaccessprogrampdf-updated-2024.pdf

The deadline to apply is December 31 st each year for an exemption applied to the

interim (mid-year) tax bill. Then apply again by August 15 th for an exemption on your

final taxbill.

Furthermore, seniors should know that there is a  NS Provincial Property Tax Rebate

for Seniors Program: This program is for those who have been receiving the

Guaranteed Income Supplement in January of the application year. Criteria requires you

to have paid your property taxes from the prior year in full. A receipt from HRM showing

property taxes are paid in full is required. Applicants to this program can receive a

rebate on half of their taxes paid to a maximum of $800. More details about this

provincial program can be found by calling (902) 424-5200 or 211 or toll-free at 1-800-

670-4357 or at any Access Nova Scotia Center.

https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/individuals/consumer-awareness/property-tax-rebate-

for-seniors.asp Deadline to apply for this Provincial rebate is also December 31 st .

Application form is available on the aforementioned link.

RCMP & HWY 107 TRAFFIC DIVISION

As a response to the increasing amount of driver complaints and accidents on our local

roadways, starting in January 2026, the Musquodoboit Harbour RCMP Detachment will

be creating a dedicated traffic division to provide more consistent monitoring and

enforcement of the speed limits on Hwy 7 & 107. Other roadways will get surveillance

when circumstances require attention. The province is working on improving some of

the Highway 107 traffic capacity with additional passing lanes. In the meantime, please

drive responsibly in accordance to the weather and road conditions and respect the

posted speed limits. Your life may depend on it. 

2026 VOLUNTEER NOMINATIONS

HRM is advising residents that applications have opened for the 2026 Volunteer

Awards. Every year, the municipality recognizes the extraordinary contributions of

outstanding individuals and groups who volunteer their time and skills to provide

services and programs in their communities. The annual Volunteer Awards put a

spotlight on the residents who volunteer in our region. There are three categories open

for applications: Youth, Adult and Group. The award recipients will be announced at the

2026 Volunteer Awards ceremony in April. This coincides with National Volunteer Week.

The application period closes on Thursday, January 8 th , 2026 at 5 PM. More details can

be found on our HRM website: https://www.halifax.ca/about-halifax/volunteering/volunteer-awards

If you have any questions, please reach out to volunteerhelp@halifax.ca

INT’L HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - DEC.10th

We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. Human rights are

inherent to all human beings, no matter our nationality, place of residence, sex, national

or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. These rights are all

interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. Learn what your human rights are, as well

as your responsibilities. It has now been 77 years since the United Nations made the

UN Declaration of Human Rights. www.standup4humanrights.org 

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST VIOLENCE

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is an annual international

campaign, occurring from November 25 to December 10. This campaign began in 1991

to call out and speak up against gender-based violence (GBV), and to renew our

commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

You may have seen a full sized red wooden silhouette of a woman in a prominent place

in HRM, or in your community. This silhouette represents a woman who a was killed by

intimate partner violence. Silent Witness Silhouettes are a traveling exhibit of dedicated

red life-sized figures, each representing a woman who has died at the hands of her

intimate partner. Even though these victims were silenced by domestic homicide, their

Silhouettes are powerful in spreading awareness of domestic violence without speaking

a word. More details on this campaign can be found

at: http://silentwitnessnovascotia.ca/create-a-silhouette/

EPR PROGRAMS BEGINS DEC. 1st

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging and paper products

comes into effect in Nova Scotia on December 1 st , 2025. These regulations shift

physical and financial responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce, import

or sell the material collected in our blue bag program.

The EPR program is being implemented by Circular Materials Divert, a national not-for-

profit organization that represents producers, and therefore responsible for collection

and processing of materials designated by the regulations. EPR will reduce the burden

on municipal taxpayers by requiring producers to cover the cost of recycling, promotes a

circular economy, and encourages companies to reduce packaging waste. This change

will also bring consistency to what can be recycled throughout Nova Scotian

municipalities, providing a common provincial sorting list. HRM has opted to participate

in the EPR program. Over the last several months, municipal staff have been in

negotiations and planning with Circular Materials and other partners to come to

agreements on how the program will be delivered in HRM. The full budgetary impact of

this program will be presented as part of the 2026/2027 Business Plan and Budget

process. Residents will continue to sort their recyclables into blue or clear bags and

place them roadside for  collection on the same day/schedule. Residents will continue

to contact 311, use the Halifax Recycles App or visit www.halifax.ca/recycling for

recycling questions and service concerns.

As of Dec. 1st , 2025, there will be new materials accepted in the roadside recycling

program. These items include multi-layer paper containers (ice cream, frozen juice,

chips, cups and bowls, coffee cups); plastic tubes (toothpaste, deodorant, hand cream);

plastic packaging (candy dispensers, bottles/pumps, pails, garden pots, seedling trays);

and wire hangers. However; certain selected items will no longer be accepted in the

recycling program, specifically books (donate) and cooking pots and pans (donate or

scrap metal). HRM Solid Waste Resources will have a comprehensive promotion &

education campaign planned to educate residents about these changes.

MORE OPEN DATASETS AVAILABLE

As part of HRM’s commitment to improving citizen engagement and enhancing

transparency and accountability to its residents, the municipality provides public access

to its database. Open Data is a permanent service provided to citizens and businesses

access to data for download, while still respecting privacy and sensitivity concerns. A

wide range of data can be sourced for free through the catalogue, such as transit routes

and schedule data, solid waste collection schedules, building applications, development

permits, land-use applications and area tax rates. For more information on the

municipality’s Open Data program, and to access all the data sets, visit:

 www.halifax.ca/home/open-data or contact them via email at: opendata@halifax.ca 

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NS

There are many groups, individuals, and organizations whose purpose is beneficial to

the community but who are not registered as charities or qualified donatees with the

Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). Charities and non-charities often partner to increase

their community impact. The Community Foundation of Nova Scotia (CFNS) is an action

centre for philanthropy. CFNS pool resources, knowledge, and expertise, working with

others for even greater impact. If you’re interested in working with CFNS to grow your

charity, honour a loved one, or simply give back to your community, call 902-490-9916,

email infocfns@cfns-fcne.ca, or visit their website https://cfns-fcne.ca/ to learn more

about the opportunities they provide. All donations are eligible for tax deductible credits.

For example, there is the Eastern Shore Community Fund that provides an opportunity

to help organizations that are vital to building our communities stronger and more

inclusive: https://cfns-fcne.ca/easternshorecommunityfund/

GOODWILL & PEACE ON EARTH

My wife Susan and I and Toopy too want to wish everyone the very best of this Holiday

Season. During this joyful time of year there are many types of spiritual and cultural

celebrations: Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Season’s Greetings, Happy Hanukkah, Al

Hijra, and Kwanza. The message of ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All’ is universal.

Have yourself a blessed time with family, friends and neighbours. May we all strive to

have peace, tranquillity and harmony in our daily lives. Remember those who may be

less fortunate or are experiencing hardship and despair. Please give to your local food

bank. Or better yet, give the gift of life and donate blood. May we all be blessed with

good health and happiness throughout the New Year ahead!