News Release

Mayor Kelly to Dexter Government Today: “ A Deal is A Deal”

(Wednesday, May 4, 2011) - Mayor Peter Kelly, accompanied by HRM CAO Richard Butts, will address the Law Amendments Committee of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly this afternoon to speak against the nullification of a fair tax deal for Nova Scotia municipalities.

The Mayor is scheduled to make a presentation at 4:30 p.m.

In November 2007, the Province of Nova Scotia signed a landmark agreement with municipalities across Nova Scotia through which the Province committed to take responsibility for millions of dollars in costs, formerly shouldered by municipal taxpayers.

Clauses contained in the Financial Measures Act that is now before the Legislature would effectively renege on the deal, costing HRM taxpayers $46 million more over the next four years as more money is directed toward provincial expenditures.

Last week, Mayor Kelly on behalf of Regional Council and HRM launched a multi-media “A Deal is a Deal” campaign including a YouTube video and an online petition, calling on the Dexter government to uphold the deal with municipalities.
“We had a fair deal: one that recognized property taxes should be spent on municipal programs and services - like police, firefighters, better streets, parks and playgrounds - rather than being collected to offset provincial costs,” said Mayor Kelly.

To find out more about A Deal is a Deal, please visit www.Halifax.ca and follow the link to A Deal is a Deal.

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Contact:

Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010