Olands Brewery slams Halifax Water’s proposed rate hike, threatens to move elsewhere

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

Halifax’s mayor and an iconic brewery are adding their voices to the chorus of those concerned about a big-time rate hike proposed by Halifax Water.

The utility’s general rate application, which will go to public hearings before the regulatory board next week, would see average residential bills increase by 16.2 per cent in 2025-2026 and by 17.6 per cent in 2026-2027.

Halifax Water says it’s asking for the increase as it faces significant operating deficits.

In a letter submitted to the board last week, Oland Brewery general manager, Frederick Tofflemire, said the rate hike will make it harder to do business in Nova Scotia.

Tofflemire said high power rates and unreliable service, rising natural gas prices and a high corporate tax rate, along with the proposed Halifax Water rate, could see the company move to jurisdictions where it is more affordable.

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Meantime, Mayor Andy Fillmore has penned a letter to the provincial consumer advocate, saying he’s recieved some 2,000 emails from Haligonians concerned about the proposed rate increase and says Halifax Water needs to balance fiscal responsibility with community impact.

Public hearings on the proposed rate increase are scheduled to begin on Sept. 15.