News release

Halifax Regional Municipality Wins Second InNOVAward

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

For the second year in a row, Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) has won the Municipal InNOVAward, this time for its sustainable environment strategy.

The strategy includes projects such as using bio-fuels in metro buses and ferries, a vehicle idling reduction program, and encouraging public transportation alternatives to personal vehicle use.

HRM, along with the provincial and federal governments, has also developed larger initiatives. The Community Energy Project involves the construction of a natural gas-fired combined heat and electrical power plant in Halifax. Waste energy from the plant would be used to provide heat to universities and hospitals through an underground distribution system.

"The Sustainable Environment Strategy project exemplifies what is important to our department and to our province -- sustainability of resources and partnerships," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal. "It is encouraging to see municipalities, working in partnership with the provincial and federal governments, hospitals, universities and the private sector, on a project that will benefit all residents and visitors to HRM."

The InNOVAward was presented by Mr. Barnet at the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities banquet, in Halifax, on Thursday, Oct. 6. Councillor Russell Walker accepted the InNOVAward on behalf of HRM.

Since 2002, Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations' annual Municipal InNOVAward has recognized excellence in the use of innovative approaches in the delivery of municipal programs and services.

For more information on the Municipal InNOVAward, visit
www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/muns/awards .