Fast Facts

Scroll through our fast facts page to find details on the following information about Halifax:

For the latest weather report, please contact (902) 426-9090.

For weather reports for communities within the Halifax Regional Municipality and Nova Scotia, click here.

For average seasonal weather conditions, please visit Environment Canada's website.

• 911 (for police, fire and hospital emergencies)
• Fire services http://www.halifax.ca/Fire/index.html
• Police services http://www.police.halifax.ns.ca/
  
  

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Interpreter Service for the Deaf

• Nova Scotia Interpreting Service for the Deaf, 8:30am-4:30pm, (902) 429-5752
• Emergencies, (902) 498-1198 (pager)
• Pager Centre, (902) 453-6283 (messages)
• E-mail: interpreterservices@ns.sympatico.ca

Smoke-Free Nova Scotia

New regulations require all indoor workplaces and public places in Nova Scotia to be smoke-free. Smoking is not allowed in outdoor licensed area and patios of all restaurants, lounges, beverage rooms, casinos and cabarets. Designated smoking rooms can be operated for the use of residents in health-care facilities for the acute or long-term care of veterans, in licensed nursing homes and residential care facilities and in homes for aged and disabled persons.

For more information, please call 1-800-565-3611 or visit http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/smoking/index.html .

Public Transit
Metro Transit operates a full bus and ferry schedule within the Greater Halifax area. Bus and ferry rates (at the time of printing): $2.00 for adults, $1.25 for seniors and children aged 5 to 15. Children under 5 ride free. Transfers are available anywhere on the system (ask for one on boarding). Monthly passes and tickets can be purchased at participating merchants. Rates for the new MetroLInk express bus service are $2.50 for adults, $1.90 for seniors/children or 50 ¢ with transfer or regular Bus Pass.

The Halifax/Dartmouth ferry departs every 15 or 30 minutes from each side of the harbour on weekdays and half-hourly on Saturdays and holidays.

The Halifax ferry terminal is located at the foot of George Street. The Dartmouth ferry terminal is on Alderney Drive at the foot of Ochterloney Street. Another ferry runs between Halifax and Woodside (south Dartmouth) Monday to Friday, peak hours only.

For route and schedule details call our HRM Call Centre at (902) 490-4000. Route maps and schedules are available at Visitor Information Centres and shopping mall information kiosks.

Driver Information
Speed limits and distances are in kilometres, not miles (1km=0.62 miles). Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit within urban and residential areas is 50km/h (31 mph); on the highway, 100km/h (60 mph). Unless otherwise posted, it is legal in Nova Scotia to turn right on a red light, after making a full stop. Seat belts are compulsory. Driving under the influence of alcohol is against the law.

For information on the new law and safe cell phone use, visit www.gov.ns.ca/tran/

Bridges
A note to drivers: there are two toll bridges in Halifax/Dartmouth, the A. Murray MacKay Bridge and the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge. Toll required for a single crossing (one direction) is 75¢. The MacDonald bridge connects downtown Dartmouth to downtown Halifax and is the only bridge with pedestrian and bicycle access.

Visitor Information Centres

Start your Halifax adventure with a visit to one of our Visitor Information Centres (VIC). Free reservations and information services are available. Look for the "question mark" signage to locate a Visitor Information Centre. For hours of operation, please contact (902) 490-4000.

Year-round Visitor Information Centres:

• Scotia Square Visitor Centre, 5251 Duke Street, Halifax 
• Halifax Airport Visitor Information Centre, Halifax Stanfield International Airport (Provincial)
• Waterfront VIC, located at Sackville Landing (Provincial)

• Seasonal Visitor Information Centres:
  (Open from approx. mid-May to mid-October):
• Halifax Argyle Visitor Centre, 1598 Argyle Street at Sackville Street, Halifax
• Bedford VIC, Moris Mill, 914 Bedford Hwy
• Enfield VIC, Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum, Exit 6 off Hwy 102
• Dartmouth VIC, Alderney Landing, Dartmouth Waterfront
• Pier 22 Cruise Ship Pavilion VIC, Halifax waterfront (open on cruise ship days only)
• Hubbards VIC, 10 Pte Richard Green, Hubbards
• Tantallon VIC, Hwy 3 at Rte 333
• Musquodoboit Harbour Railway Museum VIC, Musquodoboit Harbour
• MacPhee House VIC, Hwy 7, West River Bridge, Sheet Harbour
• Peggy's Cove VIC, Rte 333 (Provincial)
• Sackville VIC, 7 Walker Ave, Lower Sackville
• Bicentennial Theatre VIC, Middle Musquodoboit, Rte. 224
• Fisherman's Cove VIC, Eastern Passage, Rte. 322

For location and hours of the centre nearest you, please call (902) 490-4000.

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