Halifax Mayor Announces Nine Public Engagement Sessions for 2027/28 Budget Input
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore has scheduled nine public engagement sessions across the region from October 1 to October 28, 2026. These meetings, described as a 'listening exercise,' aim to gather resident feedback on priorities such as transportation, infrastructure, and affordability ahead of the 2027/28 budget season.
Mayor Andy Fillmore’s office announced on Monday, Sept 28, that nine public engagement sessions will be held between Oct 1 and Oct 28 leading up to the 2027/28 budget season. The initiative is designed to help council prioritize spending amidst limited resources and competing needs, including transportation, infrastructure, and affordability.
The first session is scheduled for Thursday, Oct 1, from 6-7pm at the Prospect Road Community Centre. Subsequent sessions are planned for Bedford-Hammonds Plains (Oct 8), East Dartmouth (Oct 13), North Preston (Oct 22 AM), Halifax Central Common (Oct 22 PM), Eastern Shore (Oct 24 AM), Musquodoboit Valley (Oct 24 PM), Sheet Harbour (Oct 24 PM), and St. Andrew’s (Oct 28).
Fillmore stated that while residents face higher costs, the region still requires investment in services and infrastructure, necessitating clear choices due to limited resources. An online survey accompanying these efforts has received 136 responses since its launch. Early feedback centers on transportation and transit, roads and infrastructure, public safety and municipal services, and affordability and taxes.
The mayor's office characterized these sessions as a 'listening exercise' completely separate from formal Halifax Regional Municipality public consultations, meaning they will not have a formal impact on the budgeting process. This announcement comes amid other local developments, including the recent delay of the Halifax Forum demolition because costs exceeded the expected $126 million, and an ongoing RCMP investigation into Mayor Fillmore's mayoral expenses following an audit.