Amendments introduced today, April 1, will allow Halifax Regional Municipality to disclose senior officials’ salaries and give landowners and municipalities more clarity when subdividing land.

Changes to the HRM Charter allow the municipality to define thresholds, disclose staff salaries and designate to which agencies, boards and commissions it will apply.

HRM requested the change.

“These changes ensure that compensation is on the public record,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Mark Furey. “We support council’s goal to make it more accountable and transparent.”

The changes are similar to those for most provincial government departments and other public organizations covered by the Public Sector Compensation Disclosure Act.

Amendments to the Municipal Government Act and HRM Charter will also clarify the law for subdividing land in the province, bringing more consistency.

“The changes improve the way subdivision exemptions are interpreted and approved,” Mr. Furey said. “The amendments are technical and will improve processes for exemptions, and correct some subdivision problems.”

Source: Release