The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Halifax city council to scrap its over-budget and behind-schedule bike lane project.

“Halifax city hall has turned this bike lane project into a bottomless money pit,” said Devin Drover, CTF Atlantic Director. “It’s time to slam the brakes on this bike lane boondoggle.”

Halifax promised to build a 53-kilometre bike lane network by 2022 for $25 million, in 2017. Seven years later, only about 60 per cent of it is built, and the cost has ballooned to $93 million.

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore tried to pause the project and reassess traffic impacts in June, but council voted it down after cycling activists packed city hall.

“Council needs to stand up for all taxpayers,” said Drover. “Residents are paying more in property taxes year after year, but they’re getting delays, excuses and broken promises in return.”

This year, the average homeowner will see a 4.7 per cent increase in their tax bills. That comes after a 6.3 per cent hike last year. Average Halifax homeowners are now paying $302 more in taxes than they were just two years ago.

Halifax has higher property taxes than some of the most expensive cities in the country, including Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.

“People are struggling to afford groceries so city hall can’t afford to waste another dime on this failed vanity project,” said Drover. “It’s time for city council to listen to taxpayers and scrap this failed bike lane project for good.”

The CTF has now launched a petition calling on Halifax city hall to cancel the bike lane expansion project, which can be signed HERE.