Halifax-Dartmouth Bridges Act

title amended 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 17.

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridges Act. 2005, c. 7, s. 1; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 18.

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

(a) repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 7.

(b) "Bridges" means the bridges across Halifax Harbour known as the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge and the A. Murray Mackay Bridge, and the approaches and other real and personal property relating to the Bridges;

(c) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 19.

(d) repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 7.

(e) "funded obligation" means any money indebtedness the principal amount of which, by its terms, is not payable on demand and the maturity date of which is more than twelve months after such indebtedness was incurred or, where renewed, last renewed;

(f) "Minister" means the Minister of Finance and Treasury Board;

(g) "Municipality" means the Halifax Regional Municipality;

(h) "transportation project" means a bridge, tunnel, fixed crossing or similar structure and the approaches, facilities and other real and personal property relating to it. 2005, c. 7, s. 2; 2014, c. 34, s. 11; 2024, c. 2, s. 33; 2025, c. 6, s. 7; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 19.

3 to 6 repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 19.

Appointment of Link Nova Scotia as traffic authority

7 (1) repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 8.

(2) and (3) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 20.

(4) Notwithstanding this Act and the Motor Vehicle Act, the Minister of Public Works may appoint Link Nova Scotia to be a traffic authority and, upon such appointment, the Motor Vehicle Act applies mutatis mutandis to all property of Link Nova Scotia and persons and vehicles making use of the same. 2005, c. 7, s. 7; 2025, c. 6, s. 8; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 20.

Objects of Link Nova Scotia

8 In addition to the objects of Link Nova Scotia set out in the Link Nova Scotia Act, the objects of Link Nova Scotia are to maintain and operate the Bridges and any other transportation project authorized by Section 27. 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 21.

9 repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 21.

Powers of Link Nova Scotia

10 (1) Without limiting the generality of any powers conferred by this Act, Link Nova Scotia has, for the purpose of this Act, the following powers:

(a) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

(b) to enter into contracts and to make and grant any lease or licence of, or in respect of, real or personal property of Link Nova Scotia that may seem directly or indirectly calculated to benefit Link Nova Scotia and to do all such acts, deeds and things and to execute all such documents as may be considered expedient in the attainment of the objects of Link Nova Scotia;

(c) repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 10.

(d) and (e) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

(f) subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, to borrow or raise or secure the payment of money in such manner as Link Nova Scotia thinks fit including, but not so as to restrict the generality of the foregoing, by mortgage, charge, hypothecation or pledge of or upon all or any of the property of Link Nova Scotia, both present and future, and to draw, make, discount and issue promissory notes and other evidences of indebtedness and generally to make, accept, endorse, execute and issue bills of exchange, bills of lading, warrants and other negotiable or transferable instruments;

(g) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

(h) to sell such property and assets as are not required for the purposes of Link Nova Scotia or that may advantageously be disposed of but, where the property or assets are valued at one hundred thousand dollars or more, only with the approval of the Governor in Council;

(i) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

(j) repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 10.

(k) and (l) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Finance Act or from time to time by order of the Governor in Council, Link Nova Scotia has all the powers of a company limited by shares incorporated pursuant to the Companies Act. 2005, c. 7, s. 10; 2010, c. 2, s. 104; 2025, c. 6, s. 10; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 22.

Action in court

11 Link Nova Scotia may sue and be sued in any court of competent jurisdiction. 2005, c. 7, s. 11; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 23.

Procedure on expropriation

12 (1) Where Link Nova Scotia considers it necessary to acquire real property for a purpose relating to the Bridges or a transportation project authorized by Section 27, Link Nova Scotia may expropriate the real property.

(2) Where real property is proposed to be expropriated,

(a) Link Nova Scotia shall survey the property and prepare a description of it;

(b) employees and agents of Link Nova Scotia may enter upon the property to survey or examine it; and

(c) Link Nova Scotia may make borings or other excavations in the property and shall reimburse the owner for any damage done if the expropriation is not completed.

(3) The Expropriation Act applies to expropriation by Link Nova Scotia. 2005, c. 7, s. 12; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 24.

Borrowing powers

13 (1) Subject to the Finance Act and with the approval of the Governor in Council, Link Nova Scotia has the power and may borrow from time to time such sums as it may require for the objects of Link Nova Scotia and issue and sell bonds or debentures for that purpose, and may secure such bonds or debentures or other borrowings by mortgage or deed of trust or otherwise on the revenues and real and personal property and undertaking of Link Nova Scotia, including after-acquired property.

(2) The bonds or debentures may be for such separate sums and at such rates of interest and upon such terms or conditions and in such form and payable at such period or periods or at such time or times and place or places as Link Nova Scotia recommends and the Governor in Council approves.

(3) repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 25.

2005, c. 7, s. 13; 2010, c. 2, s. 105; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 25.

Guarantee by Province

14 The Government of the Province may unconditionally guarantee the bonds or debentures issued by Link Nova Scotia as to principal and interest. 2005, c. 7, s. 14; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 26.

Payment by Minister

15 The Minister may pay such amounts as are appropriated for the purpose of Section 14 or, with the approval of the Governor in Council, advance to Link Nova Scotia such amounts as the Minister may from time to time consider necessary for that purpose. 2005, c. 7, s. 15; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 26.

16 to 18 repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 11.

Public Utilities Act

19 (1) Link Nova Scotia is not a public utility within the meaning of the Public Utilities Act and, for greater certainty, is not subject to that Act.

(2) Link Nova Scotia, for a reasonable compensation, shall permit the use of its works by any public utility whenever public convenience and necessity require such use and such use will not result in any substantial detriment in the service to be rendered by Link Nova Scotia.

(3) In case of failure to agree upon such use, or the conditions or compensation for such use, any public utility or any person or corporation interested may apply to the Minister of Public Works and, where, after investigation, the Minister of Public Works determines that public convenience and necessity require such use and that it would not result in any substantial detriment to the service to be rendered by Link Nova Scotia, the Minister of Public Works shall, by order, direct that such use be permitted and prescribe conditions and compensation for such joint use.

(4) The use ordered pursuant to subsection (3) must be permitted and the conditions and compensation so prescribed are the lawful conditions and compensation to be observed, followed and paid.

(5) An order of the Minister of Public Works made pursuant to this Section may be revised by the Minister of Public Works upon application of any interested party or upon that Minister's own motion.

(6) The Minister of Public Works may delegate, in writing, any power of that Minister under this Section. 2005, c. 7, s. 19; 2025, c. 6, s. 12; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 27.

20 repealed 2025, c. 6, s. 13.

Taxes

21 (1) The property of Link Nova Scotia with respect to the Bridges is exempt from taxation except that Link Nova Scotia shall annually pay to any municipality, with respect to real property located in the municipality, a grant in lieu of taxes on

(a) real property acquired by the Commission within the municipality before July 1, 2005, in relation to

(i) the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, on the assessed value of such property and the classification thereof as appears in the respective assessment rolls for the year 1950, and

(ii) the A. Murray Mackay Bridge, on the assessed value of such property and the classification thereof as appears in the respective assessment rolls for the year 1964;

(b) real property acquired by the Commission or Link Nova Scotia within the municipality in relation to the Bridges, other than the property referred to in clause (a), or a transportation project authorized by Section 27 on the assessed value of such property and the classification of that property as appears in the respective assessment roll for the year in which the property is acquired by the Commission or Link Nova Scotia, any such assessment to be based on the unimproved value of such property excluding the value of any transportation project or any past, present or future improvement constructed on the property; and

(c) the assessed value of any real property not related to the Bridges or a transportation project authorized by Section 27.

(2) A municipality may also assess, rate, impose and levy real property taxes on lessees of the Commission, as if they were owners, and also on occupiers of real property situate within the municipality, owned by the Commission and leased by it, and such assessment is to be on the land and improvements to the land so leased, and such assessment and rating done pursuant to the Municipal Government Act. 2005, c. 7, s. 21; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 28.

Rates and taxes on buildings

22 Notwithstanding Section 21 and in addition to the amounts required to be paid pursuant to that Section, buildings owned by Link Nova Scotia and used for administration purposes, and being within the Municipality, are subject to assessment and taxation in the normal way, and Link Nova Scotia shall pay a grant in lieu of the normal rates and taxes on the buildings, but not including the land on which the buildings stand, except as provided in Section 21, and not including gates, staff compartments or structures that form part of or are situated at the entrance or exit of the bridges owned or operated by Link Nova Scotia. 2005, c. 7, s. 22; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 29.

23 to 25 repealed 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 30.

Restriction of traffic

26 (1) Notwithstanding the Public Utilities Act, Link Nova Scotia may at any time suspend all traffic or restrict traffic or classes of traffic across either of the Bridges for such time and to such extent as Link Nova Scotia in its discretion deems advisable.

(2) Where the violation of this Act or any regulation made under this Act is attended with danger or annoyance to the public or hindrance to Link Nova Scotia in the use or operation of either the Bridges or a transportation project, Link Nova Scotia may, by or through its officers or employees, prevent or stop such violation and may use reasonable force for such purpose, without prejudice to any liability for any penalty that may be incurred by reason of such violation.

(3) Notwithstanding the Expropriation Act, Link Nova Scotia is not liable for injurious affection as a result of suspending all traffic or restricting traffic or classes of traffic across either of the Bridges or a transportation project during periods of construction or maintenance. 2005, c. 7, s. 26; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 31.

Power to construct, maintain and operate projects

27 (1) With the approval of the Governor in Council, Link Nova Scotia may construct, maintain and operate a transportation project across Halifax Harbour and the North West Arm, or either of them.

(2) Where the Government of the Province or the Municipality request Link Nova Scotia to investigate the sufficiency of the means of access to Halifax provided by the Bridges or the present or future need of a transportation project referred to in subsection (1), Link Nova Scotia may

(a) conduct such investigation and studies as it considers advisable respecting

(i) the need or advisability of a transportation project referred to in subsection (1),

(ii) the proper location of any such transportation project,

(iii) the manner or method of financing and operating any such transportation project,

(iv) the probable cost of acquiring lands for the purposes of an additional transportation project and the cost of constructing such transportation project,

(v) any other matter related to the construction, operation or financing of a transportation project referred to in subsection (1) that Link Nova Scotia considers relevant;

(b) for the purpose of making investigation and studies, engage expert or technical assistance;

(c) defray the cost of its investigations and studies out of the ordinary revenue of Link Nova Scotia;

(d) make reports and recommendations to the Government of the Province and the Municipality.

(3) Any costs incurred by Link Nova Scotia under this Section are expenses of operating the Bridges or a transportation project. 2005, c. 7, s. 27; 2025, c. 6, s. 15; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 32.

Regulations

27A (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations

(a) prescribing procedural requirements for a bond or debenture issued by Link Nova Scotia;

(aa) respecting the management and control of the Bridges or a transportation project authorized by Section 27 and traffic thereon and all other property of Link Nova Scotia;

(b) respecting any other matter or thing related to the maintenance and operation of the Bridges;

(c) defining any term used but not defined in this Act;

(d) further defining any term defined in this Act;

(e) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of this Act.

(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act. 2025, c. 6, s. 16; 2026, c. 3, Sch., s. 33.

Former Act repealed

28 Chapter 192 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge Commission Act, is repealed. 2005, c. 7, s. 28.

Proclamation

29 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation. 2005, c. 7, s. 29.