Annual Report 2000 - Halifax Regional Municipality

I
The Mayor’s
Message
am extremely pleased to
report that the Halifax
Regional Municipality
enters the new century
having made great progress
over the past year.
Our goal was to get our
financial house in order.
This we have done. Last
year, Regional Council
approved a Multi-Year
Financial Strategy. This
process has proved itself to
be invaluable to
significantly improving
the financial state of the
municipality. At the year
ending March 31, 2000,
for the first time since
amalgamation, HRM had
a surplus of $4 million.
This was accomplished
while also reducing our
debt by $16.1 million.
As this report makes
clear, we have many
achievements to be proud
of throughout our
municipality. We also have
much to look forward to
in the coming year.
I am proud to say that
the Harbour Clean-up,
the largest single project in
HRM's history, is finally
becoming a reality. In
April 1999, Regional
Council approved a plan
for advancing the clean-up
of the Harbour. It is
anticipated Council will
award the contract this
Fall. This is an enormous
achievement.
The HRM 20/20
"visioning" process started
last February under the
leadership of the
Metropolitan Halifax
Chamber of Commerce.
Many dedicated residents
and community groups
from all corners of the
HRM submitted ideas,
visions, and dreams about
the type of municipality
they want in 20 years.
Our obligation is to work
together to achieve the
goals citizens have
expressed for their
communities. This sense
of partnership is essential
for our regional
community.
The year has been full
of many momentous
celebrations and events.
Our Millennium
celebrations have lasted
“I am proud to say that the Harbour Clean-up, the largest single project in
HRM's history, is finally becoming a reality. In April 1999, Regional Council
approved a plan for advancing the clean-up of the Harbour. It is anticipated
Council will award the contract this Fall. This is an enormous achievement.”
— Walter R. Fitzgerald, Mayor
throughout the entire year.
The 250th anniversaries of
Sackville and Halifax were
celebrated in 1999. This
year, the 250th
Anniversary of the
founding of Dartmouth
was celebrated. In May, we
hosted Jr. Hockey’s
Memorial Cup for the first
time in our history. In
July, we welcomed the
world during Tall Ships
2000.
This is an exciting time
for the HRM. The Sable
gas project will have a
significant impact on the
future growth and
prosperity of our
municipality.
Development and
construction activity in
HRM remains high. The
entire region is seeing
growth.
We have come through
a difficult period during
the first few years
following amalgamation.
We have all learned a
great deal as this
municipality has been
transformed. We are
leaving the 20th century
and arriving in the 21st
century on a very positive
and enthusiastic note.
Yours truly,
Walter R. Fitzgerald
Mayor
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