Nine municipalities in Nova Scotia have a "high risk of financial instability," according to the province. The latest financial condition index was done prior to the pandemic and is based on financial information from fiscal 2018-19. In a response sent to the province, county officials said they believe Cumberland would have been assessed as having moderate financial risks if it hadn't been for the merger. (CBC)A spokesperson for the Department of Municipal Affairs told CBC News in an email that staff support high-risk municipalities by "providing advice and guidance and helping them prepare actions." More than half — 60 per cent — of Nova Scotia's municipalities were assessed as low risk for financial instability, including Halifax.

Source: CBC News October 23, 2020 09:00 UTC