We facilitate collaboration

NSFM believes working together is critical to help our province grow and our communities succeed. NSFM collaborates with its members, other levels of government and stakeholders. Learn More >

We facilitate advocacy

NSFM believes our collective voice will have an impact leading to changes that better support our communities and our province. We work to bring our collective views together, to prioritize the areas of most concern, to develop meaningful resolutions and to organize events that reach out to other levels of government. Learn More >

We facilitate education

NSFM works to help municipal councils better understand issues and opportunities. It does this through our events, bringing people together and sharing of ideas. It also does this through the work of committees in developing toolkits and templates, the sharing of research documents, and the sharing of best practices. Learn More >

  • Mission

    To enable effective local government for Nova Scotia’s communities by facilitating strategic advocacy, education and collaboration.

  • Vision

    Effective local government and strong, sustainable communities.
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CAP

Resolution: Capped Assessment Program (CAP)

WHEREAS the CAP program distorts the property tax system; and

WHEREAS it is not clear the homeowners most in need of property tax relief are the ones benefitting from the CAP program; and

WHEREAS municipalities are willing to offer pilot programs that will continue to meet the original objectives of the CAP program though a different approach; and

WHEREAS pilot programs can be evaluated to determine intended and unintended impacts of changes; and

WHEREAS a study on Municipal Property Taxation in Nova Scotia, by academic experts Harry Kitchen and Enid Slack recommended a phase-out of the CAP program;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Province work with municipalities and other stakeholders to phase out the CAP program and provide better alternatives to protect low-income homeowners and those experiencing significant increases in residential property assessments; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Province enable pilot projects to be undertaken as soon as possible.

View the full text of the resolution

Further Information and Current Progress:

On January 29, 2020, NSFM's proposal to phase out the CAP was introduced to an All-Party Committee . The committee, chaired by NSFM President Pam Mood, includes Keith Irving (Liberal MLA), Tim Houston (Conservative Leader) and Gary Burrill (NDP Leader), along with Department of Municipal Affairs critics Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin (Conservative) and Lisa Roberts (NDP).

In December, 2020, NSFM launched the CAP Map Interactive Tool, designed to help familiarize ratepayers with the effects of the CAP on tax rates. It also features an in-depth analysis of the CAP by MountainMath Software and Analytics, the developers of the tool. 

Since the release of the CAP Map tool, attempts to reconvene the Committee have stalled, despite pressure from NSFM to continue movement on the issue. 

For further reading on the Capped Assessment Program, please visit the CAP Archive

Highlights

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New Webinar Series

NSFM has created a new series of webinars with timely topics curated for our members. Tune in on Thursdays. Learn more > 

highlight 2

Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund

The Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund will launch this fall. Follow us on social media, sign-up to the distribution list to receive updates direct to your inbox, or join to the vendor and partners list. Learn more >

highlight 3

Canada Community Building Fund

NSFM has been providing support to the Province of Nova Scotia to administer the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF). The aim of this collaboration is to provide valuable support and resources to municipalities and to raise the profile of federally-funded local initiatives. Learn More >

Events