BILL NO. 225
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
4 Charles III, 2026
Private Member's Public Bill
Rapid Transit Infrastructure Fund Act
The Honourable Iain Rankin
Timberlea–Prospect
First Reading: March 4, 2026
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Establish
the Rapid Transit Infrastructure Fund
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Rapid Transit Infrastructure Fund Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to
(a) support the planning, development and implementation of rapid transit in the Province;
(b) reduce traffic congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and transportation costs for residents of the Province;
(c) improve economic productivity and access to employment, education and services; and
(d) encourage coordinated land-use and transportation planning by municipalities.
"Fund" means the Rapid Transit Infrastructure Fund established by Section 4;
"Minister" means the Minister of Public Works;
"rapid transit" means a high-capacity public transportation system operating primarily on dedicated or priority rights-of-way, including in the form of bus, light rail or commuter rail transit or other prescribed transit systems.
4 (1) Subject to Section 10, a fund to be known as the Rapid Transit Infrastructure Fund is established.
(2) The Minister shall administer and manage the Fund.
(3) The Fund forms part of the General Revenue Fund of the Province but must be accounted for separately.
(a) money appropriated for the Fund by the Legislature; and
(b) money received from the Government of Canada or any agency thereof, municipalities or other partners for rapid transit purposes.
(2) Money in the Fund at the end of a fiscal year remains in the Fund.
6 (1) The Minister may, in accordance with the regulations, provide financial assistance from the Fund for
(a) capital costs related to the construction or expansion of rapid transit infrastructure;
(b) planning, design, engineering or feasibility studies for rapid transit projects;
(c) the acquisition of vehicles and related systems necessary for rapid transit operation;
(d) supporting infrastructure that improves the efficiency or reliability of rapid transit; and
(e) any other purpose prescribed by the regulations that is consistent with the purpose of this Act.
(2) In providing financial assistance from the Fund under subsection (1), the Minister may give priority to rapid transit projects that
(a) demonstrate significant ridership potential;
(b) integrate with existing transportation networks;
(c) support climate change mitigation objectives;
(d) are supported by municipal land-use and growth plans; or
(e) leverage funding from other orders of government.
7 (1) The Minister may enter into agreements with municipalities or other recipients respecting financial assistance provided under Section 6.
(2) An agreement under subsection (1) may include provisions respecting
(b) reporting and audit requirements;
(c) performance measures and outcomes; and
(d) any other matter the Minister considers appropriate.
8 (1) A recipient of financial assistance provided under Section 6 shall comply with any reporting and accountability requirements established by the Minister.
(2) The Minister shall report, either in the annual public accounts of the Government or in a separate annual report,
(a) amounts paid out of the Fund;
(b) projects supported by the Fund; and
(c) any other information the Minister considers appropriate.
9 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) prescribing transit systems for the purpose of the definition of "rapid transit" in Section 3; and
(b) respecting financial assistance provided from the Fund for the purpose of Section 6, including funding purposes and eligible recipients.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the Authority in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
10 The money required for the purpose of this Act must be paid out of money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2026 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 4, 2026. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
