Chamber Advocacy

Dec 3, 2025 – We welcome the Municipality’s decision to freeze new hiring, consistent with our Pre-Budget Submission recommendation from 2025-26. This is an important to step to stem the rising costs of staff compensation, a key driver of municipal budget deficits and rising property taxes. To read our 2025-26 recommendations, Click here.

Feb 2, 2026 – The Chamber’s policy team has submitted our recommendations to the Municipality ahead of their 2026-27 Budget. Our submission aims to offer practical, creative solutions to challenges being faced by the municipality that reflect the local business community’s perspective and help make growth manageable, affordable, and competitive over the long term. (link photo with budget submission)

Dec 3, 2025 – The Chamber hosted the CEO of Halifax Water, Kenda Mackenzie, to discuss recent announcements around rising rates, deficits, infrastructure demands, and emergency preparedness for the city’s public utility.

Oct 28, 2025 – The Chamber’s policy team has submitted a Policy Brief on Bill No. 3, highlighting the need for fair and balanced representation across Nova Scotia. We’re advocating for a full and scheduled boundary review to ensure fast-growing regions like HRM receive representation that reflects their populations. Click here to read the full brief.

Jul 17, 2025 – The chamber’s policy team met with HRM’s Planning and Development Department to discuss to plans for the redevelopment of Young District in the North End of Halifax. This plan paves the way for the Young District to become a high-density, mixed-use urban neighborhood, with housing, jobs, and services near two future BRT lines. The plan allows for around 12,500 new units, supporting up to 26,500 new residents. For more information, Click Here.

Apr 28, 2025 – The Chamber team and members of the Chamber Board of Directors were given a tour of the Halifax Shipyard and met with the Irving Shipbuilding Inc. CEO, Dirk Lesko to discuss the economic impat on contributions of the national shipbuilding intiatives. The shipyard has been contracted to build 15 destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.

Apr 14, 2025 – The Chamber hosted Mayor Andy Filmore for his first State of the Municipality event before an audience of 800-plus members, providing a valuable platform to discuss Halifax’s priorities, emerging opportunities, and the path forward for a growing, thriving municipality.