Amendments to the Halifax Regional Water Commission Act introduced today, Oct. 18, will help Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and the commission co-ordinate their work more effectively.

“HRM asked for these amendments to clarify the commission’s role in relation to council,” said Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill. “These changes will help ensure HRM council and the water commission are working in a co-ordinated manner for the benefit of their citizens.”

The amendments formalize council’s authority to approve the water commission’s long-term strategic and annual business plans, including any new business activities, services to areas outside HRM, or borrowing for capital projects.

HRM council will also have more flexibility to appoint people with required skill sets to the commission’s board. It will have seven HRM residents and one HRM staff, who will serve as a non-voting member, all appointed by council. Up to four of the residents may be members of HRM council. There will no longer be a requirement for the mayor to sit on the board.

Source: Release