Municipalities call for changes to 'tremendously concerning' N.S. transportation bill

The advocacy group for Nova Scotia municipalities has asked for changes to a bill that would allow the province to charge towns and regions for new transportation infrastructure, a power that is "tremendously concerning" to their members.

The Progressive Conservative government's proposed Bill 24 grants sweeping powers to the public works minister over transportation and transit decisions. It states the minister could order a municipality to build or remove infrastructure, and "do anything necessary" to ensure the smooth movement of people and goods.

If that work isn't done in a "reasonable time," the province could complete it — and the cost would become a municipal debt owed to the province.

Pam Mood, Yarmouth mayor and president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, said dozens of mayors, wardens and senior municipal staff met last week to talk about the pending legislation.

She said there was a "huge fear" that municipalities would receive a bill they couldn't afford, pushing them into bankruptcy because of their inability to run deficits.

"There were pieces like that that were tremendously concerning," Mood said last Thursday.

NSFM members were also worried about municipal autonomy being removed "without a conversation," Mood said.

But Mood said she had a positive meeting with Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr and Public Works Minister Fred Tilley late last week. Mood said the ministers told her the PC government does not intend to take dramatic steps such as billing a municipality for project work, and are open to clarifying wording that would "take away the angst" and concerns.

"That's certainly not the province's intention. They understand, like we do, whatever is good for municipalities is good to uplift the entire province," Mood said.

But Mood said a wording change is important.

"We can't have municipalities out there believing something that simply won't happen," she said. "Because when it's in the legislation, it's saying it can happen."

Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile of the District of Lunenburg said she isn't comfortable with the bill's wording.

In a rural district made up of mostly provincial roads and few municipally-owned streets, McLean-Wile said she's concerned the minister could force the municipality to pay for improvements to provincial roadways.

McLean-Wile said municipal leaders are very aware of the importance of improving transportation and transit, and would be happy to collaborate with the government on a provincewide approach.

"One has to wonder, why does the province believe it needs that new power? And why would it not work with us to figure out solutions to this that could help meet their objectives, without jeopardizing the tax base and increasing the tax burden on municipal government?" McLean-Wile said.

"It isn't clear what the intent is behind this, and that is worrisome."

Bill 24 also changes the Joint Regional Transportation Agency to Link Nova Scotia, broadening its scope to the entire province instead of Halifax and surrounding areas. 

The agency's final report has yet to be released, but the province has announced pieces, like a Halifax light-rail study and new highway connectors. Link N.S. will be able to acquire or build transportation assets, manage a transit service, and prepare a province-wide plan to improve transportation.

Mayor Cecil Clarke of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality said he's glad to see the province owning the transportation file, and is hopeful Link Nova Scotia's work could lead to expanded transit, port capacity, and light rail in CBRM.

"This brings me to a table we weren't at a year ago, so I'll treat it as an opportunity rather than a threat," said Clarke, a former Progressive Conservative MLA.

Bill 24 also states a municipality's regulations, bylaws and policies for transportation must be reasonably consistent with plans from the provincial government and Link N.S.

But Coun. Kathryn Morse of the Halifax Regional Municipality said she's concerned those provincial priorities might not always align with the capital city's — the latest example being Premier Houston's decision to remove the Halifax bridge tolls in April.

"It's going to increase traffic. It's not ideal in terms of managing traffic to remove tolls," said Morse, adding that cities like London and New York have gone in the opposite direction with congestion pricing.

"We're taking our existing congestion pricing away at not the best time. So to me, the whole toll removal, the way it was done is kind of a cautionary tale when it comes to Bill 24," Morse said.

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore released a statement on Monday.

"Reliable, efficient transportation is the backbone of strong communities, and I welcome the Province's interest in improving and expanding these services," he said. "Every day, over 5,000 people commute from East Hants to Halifax in single-occupancy vehicles. It's time to think bigger about how we move people and goods across the region.

"By working with the Province, we have a real opportunity to build a more connected, efficient transportation system that strengthens our communities and economy."

Mood said conversations with the PC government will continue as the bill moves through Province House. The legislation was introduced on Feb. 20, and has yet to pass second reading or the law amendments committee.