News release

Amendments Clarify Halifax Water Commission Authority

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Updated legislation will allow the Halifax Water Commission to streamline its operations.

Amendments to the Halifax Water Commission Act were introduced today, Nov. 29, by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister John MacDonell.

"We want to make sure the Halifax Water Commission has legislation that is up to date and all the processes and approvals in place to be able to operate efficiently," said Mr. MacDonell. "These legislative changes also provide the commission with the same permissions that other municipalities have related to the use and sale of alternative energy sources."

The Halifax Regional Municipality council brought the request for amendments to government in June. Every other municipality has the ability to sell excess energy from waste byproducts, subject to provincial regulatory approvals, and the Halifax Water Commission was looking for the same permission. The commission also requested the option to lease lands for wind energy.

Halifax Water general manager Carl Yates said he is pleased that the provincial government is making changes to the legislation.

"The province's support and vision for renewable energy projects is an excellent fit for Halifax Water's goal to reduce its environmental footprint and apply leading edge technologies," said Mr. Yates. "Our path is set to gradually move away from traditional energy sources to energy sources that are more local, clean, secure and sustainable."

Other amendments include

  • updating the act to reflect the Halifax Charter as the legislation overseeing HRM
  • identifying that this legislation supercedes if there is a conflict with the Halifax Charter relating to the specific operation of the commission
  • clarifying the appointment of commissioners
  • amending provisions relating to financial reporting as a result of the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board decisions.