Halifax mayor Andy Fillmore poses for a photo outside City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. Ryan Taplin – The Chronicle Herald Photo by Ryan TaplinArticle contentThe 2025 federal budget has infrastructure as a focal point, promising billions of dollars in new funding that could help Halifax meet the pressures of population growth and housing demands. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAccording to the budget, the federal government plans to spend $280 billion over five years to strengthen Canada’s infrastructure, increase the housing supply and improve defence and security. Of that amount, $115 billion is set aside specifically for infrastructure. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentIn a post on Instagram, Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore expressed his support for the funding and what it could mean for HRM. Article content“These are not investments we can take on ourselves. Halifax has shovel-ready projects that will turn this federal support into homes,” reads the post.Article contentThe document frames the spending as a priority for capital projects and local partnerships while spending less on day-to-day government operations with the goal “to deliver greater investment and growth for Canadians.” Article content“It’s really clear that Ottawa is understanding that municipal infrastructure is critical in supporting the houses that we need to build to address the housing crisis,” Fillmore said. “And they’re also really clear that municipalities can’t take the cost of that infrastructure on alone.” Article contentHe said that the funding has the potential to speed up projects supporting housing, transit and climate impacts within the city. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentPressure on Halifax’s systemsArticle contentOne of the projects highlighted by Fillmore is the development of Lake Charles. According to Fillmore, everything is designed and planned and builders are ready to begin. However, the area lacks the infrastructure required to build the roughly 1,000 homes planned for the area. Article content“We’re in a situation in HRM where we’ve got a number of significant housing projects ready to go, ready to be built, but there’s simply no pipe to attach them to,” Fillmore said. “There’s no way for them to flush the toilet or turn on a faucet because the infrastructure, underlying infrastructure, just isn’t present yet. So these programs are going to help us get there.” Article contentAs one of Canada’s fastest growing cities, Halifax is facing pressure on everything from water systems to transit and housing. In the past, local officials have said that municipal resources are under strain trying to keep pace with the growth in population, and federal and provincial support is often needed to keep projects moving.
Mayor of Canada’s fastest growing city says federal budget will help Halifax catch up to the housing crisis
