Media Room

News Release

Kelly Says Capital Commission Would Address HRM's "Unique Challenges"

(Thursday, March 27/2003)-- A Capital Commission established by the Province would give recognition to the fact that Halifax Regional Municipality faces unique challenges as the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada, Mayor Peter Kelly said today.

Mayor Kelly was responding to an announcement in the Speech from the Throne today that the Hamm government will establish a Provincial Capital Commission "to better protect Nova Scotia's valuable heritage sites, as well as maximize the public benefit of provincially-owned properties."

The Mayor said Halifax Regional Council has raised the issue of a Capital Commission many times with provincial officials and he is looking forward to receiving additional details about the model the Province is considering.

He said "Capital Commissions streamline governance and decision-making. Four out of 10 Nova Scotians reside within HRM boundaries, and many thousands more Nova Scotians travel into HRM everyday to work or to access federal, provincial and other regional offices, to attend our universities or do other business. This poses some unique financial, planning and infrastructure problems for HRM. I am very pleased that the Province is recognizing this situation."

Capital Commissions are a vehicle through which provincial governments promote and enhance the unique historical and cultural character of Capital Regions. A number of provinces, as well as the Federal government, have Capital Commissions e.g. Victoria, Regina, Quebec City, Charlottetown and Ottawa. They are usually established as an arm's-length agency and generally report to an executive-director, an appointed board of Directors and are ultimately responsible to a provincial Minister and Cabinet.

Mayor Kelly said Capital Commissions are the vehicles through which provinces participate with the federal government, municipality and/or local businesses to achieve the following goals:

• elevate the image of the Capital region through a collaborative approach
• contribute to the preservation/enhancement of historic sites, monuments, buildings and properties
• serve as a central planning agency for federal/provincial/municipal governments to coordinate/review projects within Capital Region boundaries
• assume responsibility for management/maintenance of public assets
• implement Capital beautification programs, and
• position the Commission to access external funding sources

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Mayor Peter Kelly
(902) 490-4010