Mission
Championing regional collaboration to advance transportation solutions through
joint planning, partnerships, data-driven analysis, and strategic investments.
Mandate
Plan for all modes of transportation consistent with the region’s growth and
development to ensure the safe, efficient, and coordinated movement of people
and goods.
Regional Transportation Plan
To achieve our mandate, we’ve developed a Regional Transportation Plan.
Background
1M+
Nova Scotia achieved a major milestone in 2021 – the province surpassed a population of one million people, following a period of record growth.
63%
Over 63% of the population of Nova Scotia live within the Regional Transportation Plan study area.
26%
Between 2016 and 2021 Halifax’s downtown core increased in population by 26%.
With a high quality of life, easy access to the ocean and natural wilderness areas, lower costs of living than other parts of Canada, and flourishing research and economic sectors, Nova Scotia is attracting and retaining more residents than ever. The pace of this growth has exceeded even the most optimistic population growth rates and represents some of the most significant growth in Canadian municipalities.
Recent growth, which started in 2016, reversed a prolonged period of little to no growth. Recognizing the importance of population growth for the future of the province, the Government aims to further increase Nova Scotia’s population over the next 30 plus years.
This period of strong growth presents new opportunities, from increased economic output to diversity of thought and culture. This growth has, at the same time, created transportation issues: increased congestion, more collisions, and longer daily trips. The Province is already acting on other challenges to increase housing supply, attract and retain workforce, and improve the healthcare system. Similar action is needed for the transportation system.
The region includes transportation infrastructure and services under the jurisdiction of all levels of government, managed by different organizations and agencies. To embrace opportunities and address the challenges associated with the rapid population growth taking place, the Government of Nova Scotia established the Joint Regional Transportation Agency (JRTA) in fall 2021.
In 2025, the Government introduced Bill 24, which expanded the JRTA’s scope and responsibilities. As part of the amendments introduced, the name of the agency was changed from the JRTA to Link Nova Scotia.