Community and Events

Halifax Harbour Bridges is responsible for providing safe, efficient, and reliable cross-harbour infrastructure, but the organization is more than just a management and engineering entity. Our core values and our strategic plan state that to fulfill our mission, HHB needs to be an active member of the community in a meaningful and impactful way. HHB is proud to give back to the communities it serves in the following ways:

Key Partner Program

The Key Partner Program is a one-year partnership that provides an opportunity for consistent and highly visible demonstrations of HHB’s commitment to the community.

HHB is pleased to acknowledge the Canadian Mental Health Association — Nova Scotia Division as the Key Partner for 2023.

Key Partner Program

Key partners are selected based on the following criteria:

  • They must be a registered Canadian charity
  • The charity’s mandate must align with HHB’s Mission, Vision or Strategic Plan
  • The partner must have a positive reputation in the community
  • The partner must be willing to work co-operatively and contribute resources, if only staff time
  • The partner must have the time and administrative support to provide oversight and participate in both media planning and social media amplification

How does the selection process work?

HHB invites interested organizations to submit a partnership proposal. The deadline for submissions is October 31 of each year. A  senior HHB committee will evaluate submissions based on the criteria listed above and choose a partner. A successful partner in any one year must wait five years before being eligible again.

What are the financial or other commitments?

  • The charity actively participates in planning and decision-making, but HHB is responsible for running the program and maintaining financial records as required
  • The partner will ultimately have direction and control over any funds raised, including the issuance of tax receipts, and any CRA reporting
  • The program does not require any additional funding. The intent is to use existing HHB staff and resources and, where possible, leverage existing events and activities

Are you interested in being a Key Partner? Send a proposal to [email protected] before Oct. 31, 2023.

MACPASS Miles and Bridgewalk

HHB events are part of the Natal Day tradition in the Halifax region. On the Sunday of Natal Day weekend, we close the Macdonald Bridge for the day to host MACPASS Miles, a one-mile race across the road deck of the Macdonald Bridge in the morning, and then invite the community to walk on the bridge for Bridgewalk.

The family-friendly race and free Bridgewalk event have been a Natal Day weekend tradition for more than 30 years. Everyone who enters MACPASS Miles walks away with a medal. Visitors who stroll the bridge during Bridgewalk are treated to an afternoon of music and entertainment. The 2024 event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 4. If your organization would like to participate by providing entertainment or hosting a booth, please send a note to [email protected]

Banners On The Macdonald Bridge

This program is a great way for a charitable organization to promote an upcoming event or simply to help raise the profile of the organization. HHB provides the space to book six banners for two weeks, on the Dartmouth side of the Macdonald Bridge. HHB installs the banners and takes them down free of charge. The only cost for an organization is the production of the banners. The banner program runs from the beginning of May to mid-October. We are now taking reservations for 2024.

To reserve a spot for your banner, e-mail us at [email protected].

Our Flag Policy

Halifax Harbour Bridges is proud to fly flags of significance from its toll plazas at both the Angus L. Macdonald and A. Murray MacKay bridges, as well as from the towers of the Macdonald Bridge. The flags are a representation of Halifax Harbour Bridges’ values and affiliations and a way of expressing its support for and solidarity with various causes. 

Flags of significance are selected based on the following criteria:  

  • The flag represents a cause or group that is of national significance  
  • The flag identifies a specific date, historical event, cause, nation or group of people 
  • The flag is consistent with HHB’s vision, mission and guiding principles 
  • The flag does not represent a political affiliation or a for-profit organization  
  • The flag does not represent an organization that espouses hatred, discrimination, violence or racism 

Flags flown on the towers of the Macdonald Bridge are limited to occasions or causes that are of national significance, with the exception of Natal Day, when the Nova Scotia flag is raised. Flags are not flown on the MacKay Bridge towers due to structural differences which present significant challenges to flag installation.  

The Canadian and Nova Scotian flags fly at the toll plazas at both the Macdonald and MacKay bridges year-round. Flags of significance may be flown at the toll plazas if agreed upon by an internal HHB committee.

Question? Send your query to [email protected].

Rock Garden Logo Beds

HHB installs two rock logo beds a year on the Halifax side of the MacKay Bridge – from June until sometime in the fall or later. We install them free of charge to the organization – we just require that the organization have its logo designed for the site so it’s relatively easy to create it with rocks. Our student landscape crew does the installation and maintenance.

Organizations will be selected based on the following criteria:

  • The logo is recognizable and easy to recreate with the materials we use
  • The organization is marking a milestone of some sort
  • The organization is not a company or affiliated with a religion

HHB is now taking rock garden logo bed reservations for 2024. 

To reserve a rock garden, send the details of your milestone to [email protected].

HHB is always interested in hearing about ways it can play a bigger role in the community. Do you have an idea for us? Send a note to [email protected]