Nova Scotia towns to get flexibility with commercial property rates under bill

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia municipalities will have the power to phase in increases to commercial property taxes under proposed legislation.

Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill says amendments to the Municipal Government Act and the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter would allow municipalities to do so over a period of up to 10 years in areas designated as commercial development districts.

Churchill says the flexibility in setting property rates will enable municipalities to encourage commercial development in one or more areas in communities.

He says the designated districts must be part of a municipality’s planning strategy and receive municipal services such as water and sewer.

Patricia Cuttell Busby of the Northend Business Association in Halifax says the measure is a good first step but fails to address a request by regional council to set multiple tax rates.

Churchill says talks are ongoing with the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities and Halifax Regional Municipality about other measures that could assist in economic development.

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